It could be a case of Divine intervention -- or maybe it was just plain luck.

Whatever it was, it has made Jose Contreras pretty darn happy.

It was at a showcase at last year's NXNE music festival in Toronto that By Divine Right -- who were debuting a new lineup -- were spotted by Gord Downie.

So impressed was the Tragically Hip frontman by the quartet's spiky, melodic pop-rock that a few days later he asked them to join the Hip on its cross-Canada tour, which stops at the Saddledome tonight and tomorrow.

"We played all new stuff that night and I guess he really dug it," recalls Contreras, the band's singer and songwriter.

"It just worked out really well for us."

From playing small venues to opening for Canada's favourite band in 20,000-seat arenas may have been an intimidating prospect for many bands, but Contreras prefers to think of it as his chance to shine.

"It's been an opportunity for us to do our best," he says.

"The first show felt so good, it was like magic. We didn't have our (act) together and we were totally unprepared.... But the magic lifted us off the ground. Hip audiences rock!"

The Toronto-based band has had a number of personnel changes since forming in the early '90s. However, Contreras says he is happiest with the current lineup, which includes Calgarian Leslie Feist, who was singer for local hard rock act Placebo4.

"This is the longest lineup we've had in years.... The vibe's so good. We're more like a family than a band."