Some of CanadaB次元官网网址檚 top music talents are headed to the Juno Awards in Edmonton this weekend.
The annual celebration of homegrown music takes place over two nights in AlbertaB次元官网网址檚 capital, with pop singer the Weeknd leading the nominees with six, though heB次元官网网址檚 not expected to attend.
Most of the trophies will be handed out Saturday at a gala dinner for the music industry. The main show airs Monday on CBC-TV and CBC Gem B次元官网网址� a shift from the JunosB次元官网网址� usual Sunday night slot in order to avoid overlapping with the Oscars.
B次元官网网址淜imB次元官网网址檚 ConvenienceB次元官网网址� star Simu Liu returns as host of the Junos broadcast, where a handful of marquee awards will be handed out, alongside performances from Jessie Reyez, Tenille Townes and a 50th anniversary tribute to Canadian hip-hop.
Here are five other things to watch for on Junos weekend:
THE LEADERS: Among his six nominations, Toronto hitmaker the Weeknd is up for album of the year for B次元官网网址淒awn FM,B次元官网网址� single of the year for B次元官网网址淪acrificeB次元官网网址� and artist of the year. But heB次元官网网址檚 only one of many familiar artists in top contention. Calgary newcomer Tate McRae and Napanee, Ont., pop princess Avril Lavigne are tied with five nods each. They will compete against each other in four of those categories B次元官网网址� single, album, pop album and fan choice.
THE TRIFECTA: Threes, threes, threes across the board! Rarely do the connections align in the way they have for three Juno contenders this year. Rising Montreal producers Banx and Ranx hold three nominations, one of which they share with collaborator Preston Pablo on B次元官网网址淔lowers Need Rain,B次元官网网址� up for single of the year. Pablo is a three-time nominee himself, as is Montreal pop newcomer R锚ve who earned the accolades in part for her work with Banx and Ranx in the studio. All three of them will connect when they perform a medley together on the broadcast.
THE PERFORMERS: An eclectic selection of other artists is booked to play MondayB次元官网网址檚 big show, including Oji-Cree singer-songwriter Aysanabee, hard rockers Alexisonfire, Punjabi-Canadian viral rapper AP Dhillon and Nashville-based country singer Tenille Townes. But even with a stacked lineup, one question lingers: will host Simu Liu sing again? Last year, the Marvel star slipped on a guitar for a parody rendition of LavigneB次元官网网址檚 hit B次元官网网址淐omplicated.B次元官网网址� Juno organizers wonB次元官网网址檛 say if viewers can expect an encore.
THE HALL OF FAME: Nickelback will remind us of their legendary status when the rockers are inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame by Ryan Reynolds. The actor will appear on MondayB次元官网网址檚 broadcast in a pre-recorded video message to the band while Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid offers an assist in person. The Hanna, Alta., natives will then launch into an explosive medley of their greatest hits. On Saturday, Chad Kroeger and his buddies could walk away winners too as they hold their 38th career nomination for B次元官网网址淕et RollinB次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� in the rock album of the year category.
JOEL WOOD VS. NORTHERN CREE: Saturday night is also where one of the friendliest of possible Juno showdowns will take place. Cree musician Joel Wood competes against his own Alberta Indigenous singing group Northern Cree in the traditional Indigenous artist or group of the year category. Wood is nominated for his album B次元官网网址淢ikwanak Kam么sakinat,B次元官网网址� while Northern Cree is in the running for B次元官网网址溍攕kimac卯tahowin: A New Beginning.B次元官网网址� JoelB次元官网网址檚 father Steve Wood, another member in Northern Cree, told The Canadian Press itB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址渁bsolutely wonderfulB次元官网网址� to see both albums vie for a win in the same category.
B次元官网网址擠avid Friend, The Canadian Press
