Taking place at Vancouver’s Rogers Arena tonight, the 47th annual JUNO Awards took place, celebrating the best in Canadian achievements on a national and international stage. The themes of truth and reconciliation were front and center tonight in light of recent social movements like #TimesUp and #MeToo.
The late Gord Downie was honoured winning Artist of the Year. Brothers Patrick and Mike accepted the Award on his behalf, stating “All this love and support is really helping the healing. This is Gord‘s Award. He’s Artist of the Year but he was our man of a lifetime.”. He was paid tribute to also by friends Dallas Green (City and Colour) and Sarah Harmer via song during the CBC Broadcast. Downie himself was awarded post-humously alongside Kevin Drew as Songwriter of the Year for their work on A Natural, Introduce Yerself and The North on his Album Introduce Yerself, released October 2017. He also won for Adult Alternative Album of the Year.
“I left your house this morning” 🎶 @cityandcolour and @sarah_harmer perform an amazing tribute to Gord Downie #JUNOS pic.twitter.com/ZktmUPKeLK
— The JUNO Awards (@TheJUNOAwards) March 26, 2018
Receiving major recognition tonight also was Montreal’s Arcade Fire winning Album of the Year for Everything Now. The Band also were recognized for their body of contributions, receiving the International Achievement Award.
Everything RIGHT NOW! 🌐 @arcadefire https://t.co/tsEGnDry4i pic.twitter.com/rqTtZxLJUS
— The JUNO Awards (@TheJUNOAwards) March 26, 2018
Michael Bublé, who prior to tonight had won 12 JUNOs, filled hosting duties after being unable to do so last year due to his son Noah falling ill.
He won for Adult Contemporary Album of the Year for Nobody But Me and confirmed earlier in the evening that he and his wife Luisana Lopiloto are expecting a second child. Fellow Vancouver native Diana Krall who won Vocal Jazz Album and Producer of the Year for her Album Turn Up the Quiet would join him on-stage in a duet of Nat King Cole‘s Love.
We L-O-V-E @DianaKrall and @michaelbuble performing together! ❤ #JUNOS https://t.co/ORKYyA7mNM pic.twitter.com/66TC3rtqxF
— The JUNO Awards (@TheJUNOAwards) March 26, 2018
Another major highlight was Canadian Outfit Barenaked Ladies coming together on-stage for a one-night-only reunion, marking the Band’s 30th anniversary. The Band this year are inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. Steven Page had embarked on a solo career in 2009 and joined his Bandmates on-stage and each of them individually thanked those who were a part of their success in a comical song which drew thunderous applause from the crowd.
.@barenakedladies with @stevenpage are officially inducted into the @CANMusicHF! #JUNOS pic.twitter.com/Crd4B1I0Sw
— The JUNO Awards (@TheJUNOAwards) March 26, 2018
Pickering’s Shawn Mendes won Single of the Year for There’s Nothing Holdin’ me Back and also the Fan Choice Award, although he wasn’t in attendance as he preps his upcoming Album.
Kendrick Lamar won International Album of the Year for DAMN.
Toronto’s LIGHTS was awarded Pop Album of the Year for her Disc, Skin & Earth.
Brampton’s Jessie Reyez scored for Breakthrough Artist. Her hit Figures reached #58 on the Canadian Billboard Hot 100, which she performed live on the Broadcast joined by fellow Torontonian Daniel Caesar, who won R&B/Soul Recording of the Year for his Track, Freudian.
No words ❤ @Jessiereyez @DanielCaesar #JUNOS pic.twitter.com/dtPDdB4mdI
— The JUNO Awards (@TheJUNOAwards) March 26, 2018
See some of the talent back in Toronto from the JUNOs festivities! Hover cursor left and right to navigate.
A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 🏮 (@mrwillwong) on
For a complete list of winners, click here.
The Awards will take place in London, Ontario in 2019.
(Photo/video credit: The JUNO Awards)
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