The first award of the night went to Edmonton singer Ruth B for Breakthrough Artist of the Year. While accepting her award she made sure to say the words she always wished to hear at shows like these and reminded everyone to never stop following their passion, no matter where they come form.
Throughout the show we saw performances by The Arkells, accompanied by a gospel choir for their song Drake’s Dad. July Talk performed Picturing Love and Alessia Cara gave a medley of her newest Stay, with Zedd, before transitioning into her own Scars to your Beautiful.
The Prime Minister and his wife graciously introduced the evening’s tribute to Leonard Cohen making sure to share with the audience his own memories of Cohen as a dear family friend. Feist performed Leonard Cohen’s That’s No Way to Say Goodbye, with the help of two other female voices in front of a touching slideshow, providing us with a minimal but meaningful act.
Feist, photo courtesy of The JUNO Awards 2017.
Sarah McLachlan was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and also won Adult Contemporary Album of the Year for her Wonderland.
Group of the Year, The Tragically Hip’s Rob Baker and Paul Langlois accepted their award on behalf of the rest of the band and lead singer Gord Downie, even when cut to commercial, Langlois continued his words for the live arena.
Bryan Adams took a break from hosting the show to close the night with a Summer of 69 performance accompanied by heaps of Canadian talent and newly named JUNO winners. Alessia Cara, Billy Talent, Sarah McLachlan, The Arkells and Dallas Smith sang along to Adam’s hit and so did we. What a way to close a night of Canadian music with a giant Canadian collaboration.
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Written by Maddie Stiles
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A NIGHT FOR CANADIAN MUSIC
April 4. 2017
Canada's biggest night of music began with a celebration of Canada’s cultural seeds. A national stage was filled with vibrant dance, pow wow beats and traditional throat singing all mixed with a performance by Ottawa’a own A Tribe Called Red.
It was amazing.
The night began with a Russell Peters and Bryan Adams’s skit that even involved the Prime Minister. Peters made sure to remind Canada that were “150 and still sexy” and doing better than our neighbours with their bad spray tan. Soon enough, the comedian was joined on stage by Canadian legend Bryan Adams and they carried the night together.
Shawn Mendes, who later won JUNO’s Fan Choice award, stole the audience with his performance of Mercy,under a spotlight he had no issue filling the stage with his powerful vocals.
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One special night made Canadians very proud
Photo courtesy of the JUNOs