What to watch for at this weekend’s Juno Awards in Edmonton | 24CA News
Some of Canada’s high music skills 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
Most of the trophies will likely be handed out Saturday at a gala dinner for the music business. The predominant present airs Monday on tv — a shift from the Junos’ normal Sunday evening slot in an effort to keep away from overlapping with the Oscars.
Kim’s Convenience star Simu Liu returns as host of the Junos broadcast, the place a handful of marquee awards will likely 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
Here are 5 different issues to look at for on Junos weekend:
THE LEADERS
Among his six nominations, Toronto hitmaker the Weeknd is up for album of the yr for Dawn FM, single of the yr for “Sacrifice” and artist of the yr. But he’s solely certainly one of many acquainted artists in high rivalry. Calgary newcomer Tate McRae and Napanee, Ont., pop princess Avril Lavigne are tied with 5 nods every. They will compete in opposition to one another in 4 of these classes — single, album, pop album and fan alternative.
THE TRIFECTA
Threes, threes, threes throughout the board! Rarely do the connections align in the best way they’ve for 3 Juno contenders this yr. Rising Montreal producers Banx and Ranx maintain three nominations, certainly one of which they share with collaborator Preston Pablo on “Flowers Need 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 published.
THE PERFORMERS
An eclectic collection of different artists is booked to play Monday’s massive present, together with Oji-Cree singer-songwriter Aysanabee, exhausting rockers Alexisonfire, Punjabi-Canadian viral rapper AP Dhillon and Nashville-based nation singer Tenille Townes. But even with a stacked lineup, one query lingers: will host Simu Liu sing once more? Last yr, the Marvel star slipped on a guitar for a parody rendition of Lavigne’s hit “Complicated.” Juno organizers received’t say if viewers can count on an encore.
READ MORE: Tenille Townes, AP Dhillon added to listing 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 Hall 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 provides an help in particular person. The Hanna, Alta., natives will then launch into an explosive medley of their biggest hits. On Saturday, Chad Kroeger and his buddies might 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 evening can be the place one of many friendliest of attainable Juno showdowns will happen. Cree musician Joel Wood competes in opposition to his personal Alberta Indigenous singing group Northern Cree within the conventional Indigenous artist or group of the yr class. Wood is nominated for his album Mikwanak Kamosakinat, whereas Northern Cree is within the working for Oskimacitahowin: A New Beginning. Joel’s father Steve Wood, one other member in Northern Cree, informed The Canadian Press it’s “absolutely wonderful” to see each albums vie for a win in the identical class.
© 2023 The Canadian Press
