Inside 102.1 The Edge's Exclusive Holiday Rocktail Party 2025 with The Trews & Gord Sinclair

jaybroderick
4 days ago
3 min read

The Trews & Gord Sinclair perform live during The Edge Holiday Rocktail Party 2025. Photo By: Jay Broderick

By: Jay Broderick (with thanks to Corus Entertainment and 102.1 The Edge for the approval to post their event)

Toronto, Ontario - The Edge’s Holiday Rocktail Party (and the previous iterations) has always been a coveted ticket. And it's not one that you just purchase... the event is exclusively for contest winners, making the 100-capacity theatre at Corus Quay in Toronto, buzz with the energy of fans who knew they’d lucked into something special. This year's event happened on a cold, wintery Thursday night with The Trews and Gord Sinclair of The Tragically Hip. By 6:00 p.m., the guests started to arrive, bringing the room to life with chatter, and drinks in hand thanks to sponsor Steam Whistle. Strangers quickly became friends in anticipation of the night ahead, and 102.1 The Edge radio personalities like Tucker & Maura, MK and Drex joined in the fun.

After an hour of mixing & mingling, the doors to the theatre opened, and the contest winners headed in for the evening's main event. After the fans quickly settled into their seats, Colin and John-Angus McDonald of The Trews stepped in from the gathering area outside, and the intimacy of the space immediately felt even closer. The 2 introduced themselves, expressed their gratitude, settled into their stools with acoustic guitars in hand, and strummed into their 2003 track "Tired of Waiting". The stripped-down acoustic setup amplified every nuance. The warmth of Colin’s vocals and the crispness of John-Angus’s guitar added a further layer of togetherness.

John-Angus & Colin McDonald of The Trews. Photo By: Jay Broderick

After a few Trews songs, the 2 brothers emphatically introduced The Tragically Hip bassist Gord Sinclair to very warm welcome from the fans. Sinclair picked up his own acoustic 6-string and joined in for "Hope & Ruin", a track Sinclair had produced and instantly recognized as something special. The performance was raw yet soaring, and when Tucker and Maura joined the stage afterward for a short Q&A, the audience leaned in as if part of the conversation. Sinclair reflected on collaboration, noting that bringing a “finished song” into the studio would be a detriment. Music, he explained, thrives when it’s built together.

The scene then shifted as the trio asked the small crowd if they wanted to hear some Hip. Of course everybody cried "NO" and threatened to leave, but the band rolled into "38 Years Old" anyway... KIDDING! Of course!! Well, not about the track. They then peeled of a handful of Tragically Hip songs, sharing stories, and Sinclair getting choked up as he reflected on his friend Gord Downie. "I think about him everyday" he shared.

The crowd’s reactions were as much a part of the show as the music itself. Every lyric was met with nods and smiles, every anecdote with laughter or thoughtful silence. In a city where big shows often dominate, this night reminded everyone of the magic that happens when you strip away the spectacle and let the songs breathe. It wasn’t just a performance... it felt like being invited into their living rooms, where stories and songs flowed seamlessly.

Set List

Tired of Waiting (The Trews)

Get a Handle (The Trews)

The Breakdown (The Trews)

Hope & Ruin (The Trews)

38 Years Old (The Tragically Hip)

Bobcaygeon (The Tragically Hip)

Membership (The Tragically Hip)

Courage (The Tragically Hip)

So Hard Done By (The Tragically Hip)

Inevitability of Death (The Tragically Hip)

Wheat Kings (The Tragically Hip)

After the performance, the contest winners were invited back to the social area for photos with the musicians, who stuck around until everybody had their moment.

Well done 102.1 The Edge! Well done!!

Concert Photo Gallery (all photos by: Jay Broderick)