Local Tragically Hip tribute band 50 Mission returned to the Sanderson Centre for the third annual Hip for Hospice benefit concert on Saturday, May 30, 2026.
As always, the event was held in support of Stedman Community Hospice.
Stedman, which serves residents living in Brantford, the County of Brant, Six Nations of the Grand River, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Norfolk and Haldimand counties, provides-end-of-life patient care through its ten bed in-residence program, community outreach, and grief and bereavement support programs.
The Provincial government provides 50 per cent of funding for the hospice, St. Joseph’s Lifecare Foundation (the official fundraising organization for Stedman) depends on the community to help cover the 50 per cent.
When organizations, individuals and community groups choose to support the hospice, they help fund Stedman’s day-to-day bills for things like utilities, food, and frontline grief and bereavement support programs.
Since first holding the event in January of 2024, 50 Mission has raised nearly $25,700 for Stedman Community Hospice.
Lead singer Mike Campbell said that he and his fellow band members were happy to be supporting the hospice and its work in the community.
“We all live in the communities that the hospice serves and so for us so any chance we get, we like to give back,” he said. “We’ve got some volunteers and folks that work with Stedman out there tonight, and so we consider this event as a ‘thank you’ to them as well.”
Both he and drummer Aliro Larrazabal encouraged those who could not attend to give back to the cause if possible.
“If you couldn’t make it tonight, please consider going to the hospice website to make a donation,” said Larrazabal. “The hospice does so much for the community, so if you can donate, please help them out.”
Kicking the event off with the Tragically Hip’s “Courage,” the five-piece went on to perform nearly 30 songs for the crowd, and with hits from the albums Up to Here, Road Apples, Fully Completely, Day for Night, Trouble at the Henhouse, Phantom Power, Music @ Work, In Violet Light and even World Container, there were plenty of songs for all Hip fans to enjoy.
After the show, Mike Gordon and Melissa Smith said it was their first time seeing the band and that while they didn’t know what to expect, they were pleasantly surprised.
“It was awesome, they really did an amazing job,” said Smith. “I loved all of it.”
Gordon added, “It was fantastic, I really enjoyed it and it was way more than I expected. I’m not going to lie, there were a couple times I found myself getting a little emotional because it felt like watching the band again.”
The two said they grew up listening to the Tragically Hip and were glad to attend an event where they got to enjoy the music of their youth while supporting a worthy cause.
“I think it’s amazing they did this,” said Smith. “My best friend’s uncle died in hospice so I’m that’s where the proceeds are going to, it means a lot.”
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
