The Junos

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Mendalla

Happy headbanging ape!!
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As was mentioned once or twice in various threads, London, Ontario is hosting the Juno awards, and the week-long festival that goes with them. Last night was the first round of awards, a dinner gala. And, to the delight of the host city, the very first award handed out went to Loud Luxury, a DJ duo who started right here in London. One grew up here, the other came here to go to Western. They were at a meet the fans event at Masonville Mall yesterday afternoon and the former was reminiscing about working there. The award was, of course, dance recording of the year, for a piece called Body.

Beyond that, Shawn Mendes, who seems to be the next big Canadian superstar, from Toronto picked up a 3 awards. He's not here since he is touring in Europe but will appear by satellite hookup in tonight's final gala.

That gala, where the last bunch of awards will be handed out and various artists will perform, is being hosted by one of my all-time faves, singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan, who is also scheduled to perform.


I will scan YouTube later and post a few nominees and winners.
 
And, interestingly, I heard, though have been unable to confirm, that Sarah will be backed by another favorite of mine, Whitehorse. The husband-wife duo first met while both were touring with Sarah so hearing the three of them together would be a bit special.
 
Nice. Is it something you can buy tickets to?

I checked and the gala prices were slightly insane (both tonight and last night). They also had "Showcase" concerts for various awards categories. CBC streamed the ones for Classical and Jazz and they are still up on the CBC Music Youtube channel.
 
This looks like it may be the most talked about moment of last night. Jeremy Dutcher, winner of the best indigenous recording, was cut off in mid-speech when he started into a talk about reconciliation. So, when Hamilton rockers Arkells won Best Rock Album, they gave their speech time to Jeremy so he could finish and made it clear that they expect him to be allowed to finish. Class act by one of our best current bands. Here is what Dutcher had to say with his extra time:

 
BTW, Jeremy is scheduled to perform in the main gala tonight. He is a very interesting performer, a trained tenor and pianist who mashes up Western and indigenous styles in a very unique way. As you can see from the video above, he also has a way with hats. The video below is from his appearance on CBC First Play Live a year ago when the album Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa, which is what he won for, came out. He also won the 2018 Polaris prize for the same album.

 
I missed it. I'm familiar and fond of Jeremy Dutcher though, and Whitehorse a bit.

 
What a lovely weekend. I'm listening to Laila Biali right now, and just loving it...
 
oh to be so close and not to go Mendalla. I might have said f*** the expense and gone to one night.
 
Meh, more comfortable to watch it on YouTube. Watching the Songwriters Circle from this morning right now. It's at Centennial Hall which is a godawful concert hall. Little M's commencement was there and my bum still hates me for it.
 
David Foster is funny. He can't sing worth beans, but he has written so many terrific pop songs and has stories for many of them. FYI, he has never won an Oscar. Three noms, no wins.
 
And the big show begins. Local winners Loud Luxury are kicking it off with support from the Western marching band and cheerleaders. Both members of the group are alumni so it is perfect.
 
CBC is still posting videos from Juno Week. This is from the Playlist Live concert that Odario Williams hosted. It's Larry Gowan teaming up with newcomer (to me at least) Sate for a lively performance of Gowan's "Strange Animal", which dates back to his first album.


God, I loved Gowan's early stuff and missed him when he was off singing lead for US rock band Styx.
 
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