A few of Canada’s high music abilities are headed to the Juno Awards in Edmonton this weekend.
The annual celebration of homegrown music takes place over two nights in Alberta’s capital, with pop singer the Weeknd main the nominees with six, although he’s not anticipated to attend.
READ MORE: 2023 Juno Awards nominations: The Weeknd leads the pack with 6
A lot of the trophies shall be handed out Saturday at a gala dinner for the music business. The principle present airs Monday on tv — a shift from the Junos’ ordinary Sunday night time slot to be able to keep away from overlapping with the Oscars.
Kim’s Comfort star Simu Liu returns as host of the Junos broadcast, the place a handful of marquee awards shall be handed out, alongside performances from Jessie Reyez, Tenille Townes and a fiftieth anniversary tribute to Canadian hip-hop.
READ MORE: Juno Awards in Edmonton to mark hip hop’s fiftieth anniversary with Kardinal Offishall
Listed below are 5 different issues to observe for on Junos weekend:
THE LEADERS
Amongst his six nominations, Toronto hitmaker the Weeknd is up for album of the yr for Daybreak FM, single of the yr for “Sacrifice” and artist of the yr.
However he’s solely one among many acquainted artists in high competition. Calgary newcomer Tate McRae and Napanee, Ont., pop princess Avril Lavigne are tied with 5 nods every.
They’ll compete towards one another in 4 of these classes — single, album, pop album and fan alternative.
THE TRIFECTA
Threes, threes, threes throughout the board! Hardly ever do the connections align in the way in which they’ve for 3 Juno contenders this yr.
Rising Montreal producers Banx and Ranx maintain three nominations, one among which they share with collaborator Preston Pablo on “Flowers Want Rain,” up for single of the yr.
Pablo is a three-time nominee himself, as is Montreal pop newcomer Reve who earned the accolades partly for her work with Banx and Ranx within the studio.
All three of them will join once they carry out a medley collectively on the printed.
THE PERFORMERS
An eclectic collection of different artists is booked to play Monday’s huge present, together with Oji-Cree singer-songwriter Aysanabee, onerous rockers Alexisonfire, Punjabi-Canadian viral rapper AP Dhillon and Nashville-based nation singer Tenille Townes.
However even with a stacked lineup, one query lingers: will host Simu Liu sing once more? Final yr, the Marvel star slipped on a guitar for a parody rendition of Lavigne’s hit “Difficult.”
Juno organizers gained’t say if viewers can anticipate an encore.
READ MORE: Tenille Townes, AP Dhillon added to checklist of performers for Juno Awards at Edmonton’s Rogers Place
THE HALL OF FAME
Nickelback will remind us of their legendary standing when the rockers are inducted into the Canadian Music Corridor of Fame by Ryan Reynolds.
The actor will seem on Monday’s broadcast in a pre-recorded video message to the band whereas Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid affords an help in particular person.
The Hanna, Alta., natives will then launch into an explosive medley of their best hits.
On Saturday, Chad Kroeger and his buddies may stroll away winners too as they maintain their thirty eighth profession nomination for Get Rollin’ within the rock album of the yr class.
JOEL WOOD VS. NORTHERN CREE
Saturday night time can be the place one of many friendliest of attainable Juno showdowns will happen. Cree musician Joel Wooden competes towards his personal Alberta Indigenous singing group Northern Cree within the conventional Indigenous artist or group of the yr class.
Wooden is nominated for his album Mikwanak Kamosakinat, whereas Northern Cree is within the working for Oskimacitahowin: A New Starting.
Joel’s father Steve Wooden, one other member in Northern Cree, advised The Canadian Press it’s “completely great” to see each albums vie for a win in the identical class.
© 2023 The Canadian Press
