A few of Canada’s 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 Alberta’s capital, with pop singer the Weeknd leading the nominees with six, though he’s not expected to attend.
READ MORE: 2023 Juno Awards nominations: The Weeknd leads the pack with 6
Many of the trophies might be handed out Saturday at a gala dinner for the music industry. The important show airs Monday on television — a shift from the Junos’ usual Sunday night slot so as to avoid overlapping with the Oscars.
Kim’s Convenience star Simu Liu returns as host of the Junos broadcast, where a handful of marquee awards might 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 five other things to look at for on Junos weekend:
THE LEADERS
Amongst his six nominations, Toronto hitmaker the Weeknd is up for album of the 12 months for Dawn FM, single of the 12 months for “Sacrifice” and artist of the 12 months.
But he’s only certainly 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 are going to compete against one another in 4 of those categories — single, album, pop album and fan selection.
THE TRIFECTA
Threes, threes, threes across the board! Rarely do the connections align in the way in which they’ve for 3 Juno contenders this 12 months.
Rising Montreal producers Banx and Ranx hold three nominations, certainly one of which they share with collaborator Preston Pablo on “Flowers Need Rain,” up for single of the 12 months.
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 connect once they perform a medley together on the published.
THE PERFORMERS
An eclectic number of other artists is booked to play Monday’s 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 query lingers: will host Simu Liu sing again? Last 12 months, the Marvel star slipped on a guitar for a parody rendition of Lavigne’s hit “Complicated.”
Juno organizers won’t say if viewers can expect an encore.
READ MORE: Tenille Townes, AP Dhillon added to list of performers for Juno Awards at Edmonton’s Rogers Place
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 Monday’s 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 best hits.
On Saturday, Chad Kroeger and his buddies could walk away winners too as they hold their thirty eighth profession nomination for Get Rollin’ within the rock album of the 12 months category.
JOEL WOOD VS. NORTHERN CREE
Saturday night can also be where certainly one of the friendliest of possible Juno showdowns will happen. Cree musician Joel Wood competes against his own Alberta Indigenous singing group Northern Cree in the normal Indigenous artist or group of the 12 months category.
Wood is nominated for his album Mikwanak Kamosakinat, while Northern Cree is within the running for Oskimacitahowin: A Recent Starting.
Joel’s father Steve Wood, one other member in Northern Cree, told The Canadian Press it’s “absolutely wonderful” to see each albums vie for a win in the identical category.
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