Mar 25, 2018 - For Aesthetic Magazine:
"The 2018 JUNO Awards celebrated Canada’s biggest night in music in grand style last night, from the 200-foot red carpet taking over the Georgia viaduct to the sold-out live broadcast from Vancouver’s Rogers Arena. The two-hour show opened with a special instrumental rendition of International Achievement Award Winner, Arcade Fire’s “Everything Now,” who also took home Album of the Year for their album Everything Now.
As a true testament to the craft, dedication and inspirational artistry that defined Gord Downie’s career, the beloved musician received recognition as Artist of the Year*. This marks Downie’s 21st JUNO Award, following his two wins from for his solo album, Introduce Yerself, Saturday, along with his multiple wins with The Tragically Hip, making him the most awarded male artist in the history of the awards. The Canadian icon was further honoured in a moving tribute introduced by Kevin Drew and Pearl Wenjack. Sarah Harmer with Barenaked Ladies’ keyboardist Kevin Hearn performed “Introduce Yerself” and Dallas Green of City and Colour performed an emotional rendition of “Bobcaygeon,” later re-joined by Sarah Harmer.
Some of Canada’s hottest rising stars took home some of JUNO weekend’s biggest awards. Jessie Reyez took home the recognition for Breakthrough Artist of the Year* and took to the stage to deliver a raw rendition of her breakout hit “Figures.” She was joined by fellow R&B sensation Daniel Caesar, who capped the JUNO stop of his global tour by taking home R&B/Soul Recording of the Year* for his debut studio album, Freudian.
Tory Lanez received the JUNO Award for Rap Recording of the Year for his runaway hit, “Shooters.” Presenters Northern Touch Allstars: Rascalz, Checkmate, Kardinal Offishall, Thrust and Choclair surprised fans with a performance of their hit song, “Northern Touch,” to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the groundbreaking hip-hop release.
Following his major win last night, bringing home the JUNO Award for Single of the Year, Shawn Mendes was awarded the JUNO Fan Choice Award.
The evening’s awards were anchored by the induction of eight-time JUNO Award winners Barenaked Ladies, alongside co-founder and singer-songwriter Steven Page, into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. Presented by Geddy Lee, the recognition marked three decades as legendary performers and one of Canada’s most celebrated groups. Fans rejoiced as Barenaked Ladies and Page took the stage for a special one-time performance of “If I Had $1,000,000,” with original member Andy Creegan, and “One Week,” joined by friends Jann Arden, Jim Cuddy, The Jerry Cans, City & Colour, Eric McCormack and Northern Touch Allstars and more.
The ceremony also featured 10 performances including a stunning return by Diana Krall performing “L-O-V-E” and joined by the evening’s host Michael Bublé; first-time nominees The Jerry Cans performed their hit song “Ukiuq (Northern Lights)”; Vancouver local Shawn Hookgave a special performance joined by The Vancouver Chinese Youth Orchestra; fan-favourite Arkells rocked the stage with their hit track “Knocking at the Door”; vocal powerhouse Lights performed a beautiful rendition of her hit “Giants” and honoured other female JUNO nominees artists with personalized graphic novel-style portraits depicting them as powerful characters; and DJ Felix Cartal kept sounds flowing as house DJ throughout the evening.
Check out more 2018 Juno Awards coverage here."
