53rd Annual JUNO Awards Week 2024
* first time the awards have been Halifax since 2006
* 90 musicians and groups see their first nominations.
* 44 Awards Opening Night March 23
* Overall total 2 Nights of Awards - Handed out 50+
and Feist took home her fourteenth JUNO
* Singer-songwriter Talk is the most-nominated first-timer.
* Independent rapper Connor Price has the second-most nominations among first-timers.
* The hip-hop duo Kaytraminé, rapper Aminé & producer Kaytranada, 1st nominations.
* As a solo artist, Kaytranada has previously won four Junos!
* Arkells were back after 3-peat;
* the Weeknd won't break Anne Murray's record (yet)
* Men make up more than half of this year's Juno nominees, at 57 per cent.
* While women make up 31 per cent,
* Non-binary artists make up one per cent.
* seven of the 10 nominees for the TikTok Juno Fan Choice are men,
* while pop superstars Charlotte Cardin and Tate McRae are the two women nominated.
* Indie-pop group Walk Off the Earth is a mixed-gender nominee.
* the artist of the year category skews predominantly female, with Daniel Caesar the only man among Charlotte Cardin, Lauren Spencer Smith, Shania Twain and Tate McRae.
* Ontario makes up half of nominees - As one of the largest provinces in the country, with one of the most robust music scenes Toronto, Ontario tends to dominate Juno nominations.
* This year, the province makes up 50 per cent of all Juno nominations. While this is a sizeable number, it does mark a decline since 2020, when CBC Music last analyzed the geography of Juno nominations: that year, Ontario took up 75.6 per cent of all nominations.
(All calculations exclude the international album of the year nominees.)
* Quebec has the second-strongest showing with approximately 24 per cent of this year's nominees, thanks to Charlotte Cardin, Alexandra Stréliski, Allison Russell and Rêve.
* British Columbia comes in third with approximately 10 per cent.
* The remaining 16 per cent is split among seven other provinces and territories, with Yukon and Newfoundland and Labrador each scoring only one nomination each (blues musician Brandon Isaak and children's act the Swinging Belles, respectively).
* No artists from Nunavut or Northwest Territories were nominated.
* The rock album of the year is a category that is historically male dominant: this year's crop is closer to reaching gender parity, with the nominations of Metric, the Beaches and Crown Lands, whose lead singer/drummer Cody Bowles is non-binary. The nominees are rounded out by the Blue Stones and the Glorious Sons.
Nova Scotian jazz saxophonist Mike Murley and Quebec heavy metal band Voivod are both back with nominations this year, precisely 33 years after they each received their first Juno nominations for best jazz album and best hard rock/metal album, respectively. Over his more than three decades being nominated for Junos, Murley has taken home three awards, and Voivod has won twice.
* While things are looking up in the rock regard, there are three other categories this year that include only men: country album of the year, recording engineer of the year,
and music video of the year.
* There are no categories with only women nominated.
* TikTok JUNO Fan Choice nominee and rising country star Josh Ross made his JUNO Awards debut with a harmonic performance showcasing his renowned pop-rock-infused style. Karan Aujla, the British Columbia-based singer, rapper and songwriter joined revered lineup of Canadian musical excellence in Halifax. Breakaway rock-star, TALK took audiences to another planet with an electrifying eccentric performance after making waves with five first-time JUNO nominations.
Searchlight artists who came away with 5 nominations - Former winners and finalists from CBC Music's Searchlight competition, our annual hunt for Canada's next breakout musician, have also fared well this year, combining for a total of five nominations. Edmonton-based Mohawk singer Shawnee Kish took top honours in Searchlight 2020, and has now added two more Juno nominations to her first nomination in 2022: contemporary Indigenous artist of the year, and adult alternative album for her 2023 EP, Revolution. Scarborough R&B artist Jhyve, who won Searchlight in 2021, earned the second Juno nomination of his career for his record Unbreakable, in the category of traditional R&B/soul recording. Edmonton's Josh Sahunta, a Searchlight top 10 finalist from 2020, scored a nomination in the adult alternative album category this year for his record To Be Loved Vol. 1. Mississauga, Ont., R&B singer Luna Elle, who was the top teen winner for Searchlight last year, nabbed her first nomination for traditional R&B/soul recording.
First-time nominee Talk as well as Grammy-winner Daniel Caesar follow closely behind with five nominations each. Both artists are up for single of the year and album of the year.
As the home for Canadian music, CBC is dedicated to showcasing homegrown artists throughout the year and during JUNO Week. See below for this week’s full schedule of JUNO programming.
JUNO WEEK EVENTS
MONDAY, MARCH 18
CBC MUSIC LIVE PRESENTS: ROAD TO THE JUNOS Recorded in front of a live audience at The Marquee Ballroom in Halifax, audiences can enjoy performances by Jenn Grant and Rose Cousins, hosted by CBC Music’s Odario Williams. Broadcasts on CBC Music and CBC Listen at 6 p.m. local time (6:30 NT), with a video version available to stream on CBC Gem.
TUESDAY, MARCH 19
CBC MUSIC LIVE PRESENTS: ROAD TO THE JUNOS
Recorded in front of a live audience at The Marquee Ballroom in Halifax, audiences can enjoy performances by Reeny and Adam Baldwin, hosted by CBC Music’s Odario Williams.
Broadcasts on CBC Music and CBC Listen at 6 p.m. local time, with a video version available to stream on CBC Gem.
THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES
22 Minutes salutes the JUNOS with special appearances by 2024 JUNOS host Nelly Furtado and JUNO Nominee Amanda Marshall.
Broadcasts on CBC and CBC Gem at 8:00 p.m. local time (8:30 NT)
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20
RECLAIMED PRESENTS: ROAD TO THE JUNOS
Recorded in front of a live audience at The Marquee Ballroom in Halifax, audiences can enjoy performances by DeeDee Austin, Wolf Castle and Morgan Toney, hosted by CBC Music’s Jarrett Martineau.
Broadcasts on CBC Music and CBC Listen at 6 p.m. local time, with a video version available to stream on CBC Gem.
THURSDAY, MARCH 21 DAY 1
THE BLOCK PRESENTS: ROAD TO THE JUNOS
Recorded in front of a live audience at The Marquee Ballroom in Halifax, audiences can enjoy performances by Jah'Mila and Aquakultre, hosted by CBC Music’s Angeline Tetteh-Wayoe.
Broadcasts on CBC Music and CBC Listen at 6 p.m. local time, with a video version available to stream on CBC Gem.
THURSDAY MARCH 21 Day 1 JUNO Kick-Off Concert Powered by Support4Culture
at Foundation North Parking Lot, next to Waterfront Warehouse at 1549 Lower Water Street. It featured Classified's "Welcome to the Maritimes" set featuring David Myles, JRDN, O'Sound, and special guests celebrating his catalogue of hits. The night kicked off with a tribute to Mi'kmaq culture featuring City Natives followed by PEI's Joce Reyome, North Preston's own Reeny, and closing with International Ambassador for DJ Culture, Skratch Bastid.
THURSDAY MARCH 21 Day 1 JUNOS STORIES FROM THE STUDIO
Presented by Halifax Public Libraries - Paul O’Regan Hall at Halifax Central Library 7PM.
A keynote conversation with a JUNO Award-nominated engineer, producer, or special guests. This event gave audiences a look into the creative process behind Canada’s iconic songs/albums. Panelists were Hill Kourkoutis, Joel Stouffer, Sam Avant, Wondagurl Tickets for this event were once again sold out!
THURS. MARCH 21 Day 1 1st ever - JUNO Block Party Held March 21, 22, and 23
Presented by FACTOR 6PM
What a night! Classified, Skratch Bastid, and more turned up the energy at the JUNO Block Party Presented byThe Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent On Recordings (FACTOR), JUNO Kick-off Concert Powered by Support4Culture.
At the Foundation North Parking Lot, next to Waterfront Warehouse at 1549 Lower Water Street, Five-time JUNO nominee TALK, and Breakthrough Group of the Year Nominee Good Kid make their live Halifax debuts, alongside Dizzy and rising star, Nova Scotian alt-pop artist, Maggie Andrew. Was an electrifying 3 nights, the first-ever JUNO Block Party was presented by FACTOR and featured a diverse range of Canadian talent and emerging artists who commanded the spotlight and delivered unforgettable performances BY Classified, David Myles, O'Sound, Jrdn, City Natives, Joce Reyome, Reeny and Skratch Bastid — it was also free. Fans experienced a concert-style showcase featuring some of their favorite musicians and JUNO-nominated artists. $1 of each ticket sold was donated to MusiCounts.
FRIDAY MARCH 22 Day 2 JUNO SONGWRITERS’ CIRCLE Presented by SOCAN and FACTOR in association with Music Publishers Canada Light House Arts Centre 7:30pm. This unique event striped away the layers of production to present the essence of music in its purest form: the song itself. The evening promised candid conversations, acoustic performances, and unforgettable connections between artists and audience were priceless. Whether you're a dedicated music aficionado, an aspiring songwriter, or simply curious about the stories behind your favourite tunes, this event promised and delivered an evening of genuine connection and unforgettable melodic performances. Indulged in an evening of musical authenticity at the JUNO Songwriters' Circle with performers like Begonia, Dominique Fils-Aimé, Jeremy Dutcher, Leith Ross, Luna Elle, Matt Andersen, Rêve and William Prince. Tickets for this event were once again sold out.
FRIDAY, MARCH 22 Day 2 Q WITH TOM POWER
Join host Tom Power for a sit-down interview with 2024 JUNOs host Nelly Furtado. she’ll talk about returning to the 53rd annual JUNO Awards as a host and how she’s grown over 25 years in music. Broadcasts on CBC Radio One and CBC Listen at 10 a.m. local time (10:30 NT). The Nelly Furtado interview will also be available on CBC News: The National at 10 p.m. (9:30 NT) on CBC TV and CBC Gem.
++ JUNO BLOCK PARTY Presented by FACTOR Foundation North Parking 6pm.
FRI MARCH 22 Day 2 JUNO COMEDY SHOW Presented by SiriusXM Canada Alderney Landing 8pm.
Canadians are seriously funny people. The JUNO Comedy Show Presented by SiriusXM Canada was an exceptional event, with home-grown comedians delivering the side-splitting sets that earned them Comedy Album of the Year Presented by SiriusXM Canada. From up-and-comers who have only just been discovered to grizzled vets who know how to work a room, laughs were plentiful. Hosted by Travis Lindsay with performers like Derek Seguin, Graham Clark, Kyle Brownrigg, Laurie Elliott.
FRIDAY MARCH 22 Day 2 & SATURDAY MARCH 23 Day 3 - JUNOFEST Presented by CBC Music Various venues and times.
100 Artists 10+ Venues, 2 Nights and 1 Wristband.
JUNOfest took over intimate stages and bustling pubs across Halifax. Jam-packed nights, JUNOfest presented by CBC Music talent, of all genres once again took over music venues across Halifax. Featuring more than 100 artists, the two nights showcasing talent from across the country, ranging from indie all-stars to dynamic jazz ensembles.
Friday night's lineup included: Begonia, Behrooz Mihankhah Quartet, Brett Matthews, Caity Gyorgy, Christine Jensen, CJ Wiley, Cloverdale, Dave Sampson, DJ Nasty Nuck, Elyse Aeryn, Fame Diet, Haliey Smith, Jah'Mila, JJ Rock, Jhyve, Josh Sahunta, Julian Taylor, Leanne Hoffman, Lili-Ann De Francesco, Logan Staats, Lyra, Mattmac, Misstress Barbara, Morgan Toney, Nate Haller, Okay TK, Omega Mighty, Percwerk, Quote the Raven, Red River Ramblers, Reeny, Rêve, Rich Aucoin, Rich Kidd, Russ Macklem, Russell!, Shawnee Kish, Skratch Bastid, Swee, T. Thomason, Terra Spencer, the Bearhead Sisters, the East Pointers, TRP.P, Veev, Vince the Messenger, Zamani and Zoon.
Saturday March 23 8-1130pm
In association with 96.5 The Breeze held at The CARLETON - Taryn Kawaja, The Gilberts, Raymond Sewell, Blue Moon Marquee Duo and The Good Lovelies
Saturday March 23 1-235pm
At St Matthew's United Church: Essential Opera, Cheng2 Duo, Jennifer King, Matt Haimovitz.
Saturday March 23 730-11pm
At Sanctuary Arts Centre: Aphrose, Noah Malcom, Gary Beals, Joce Reyome, and Daniel James McFadyen.
Saturday March 23 in Association 9pm to 150 am with Q104 at Seahorse Tavern:
Norter, Pillow Fite, Ballsy, SoftCult, Ken Mode, and Skunk Hotel.
Saturday March 23 at ROX Live 9pm to 150am: DJ Velvet, aRENYE, Jessie Simmons, EverythingOShauN, Kayo, and Certified Bad Boys.
Saturday March 23 CBC MUSIC SHOWCASE 9PM TO 215AM at PACIFICO:
Nicole Ariana, J Hutton, Lisa LeBlanc, Ammoye, Kizaba, Troy Power and Sister Rickii.
Saturday March 23 at HIDE AND SEEK 10pm to 330am
Rami Nassif, Joanna Magik, Smalltown DJs, Sydney Blu, and Greg Gow.
SATURDAY MARCH 23 Day 3 MAINSTREET WITH JEFF DOUGLAS
CBC Nova Scotia host Jeff Douglas celebrates the 2024 JUNOS with a special Atlantic-wide show with industry insiders and musical performances, live from the Sutton Place Hotel in downtown Halifax. Broadcasts on CBC Radio One and CBC Listen from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. AT (3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. NT)
SATURDAY MARCH 23 Day 3 MARVINS’ ROOM PRESENTS: ROAD TO THE JUNOS
Recorded in front of a live audience at The Marquee Ballroom in Halifax, audiences can enjoy performances by Zamani Folade and Gary Beals, hosted by CBC Music’s Jemini. Broadcasts on CBC Music and CBC Listen at 6 p.m. local time, with a video version available to stream on CBC Gem.
SATURDAY, MARCH 23 Day 3 HONOURING CEREMONY Presented by Destination Indigenous Kenneth C. Rowe Hall at Pier 21 12pm Doors | 1pm Ceremony was the In The Spirit of Tradition where over hundreds of Indigenous cultures thriving within Canada were recognized and celebrated. Saw appearances and performances featuring 2024 JUNO nominees.
SATURDAY MARCH 23 Day 3 THE 2024 JUNO OPENING NIGHT AWARDS hosted by anchor on This Hour Has 22 Minutes' Aba Amuquandoh and CBC Music's Damhnait Doyle and Presented by Music Canada at Halifax Convention Centre. Exclusive industry event presented 44 JUNO Awards including the prestigious Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award. Performances by several of this year's Juno nominees will take the stage, including: adult alternative album of the year nominee Begonia; contemporary and traditional R&B/soul recording of the year nominee Aqyila; reggae recording of the year nominee Jah'Mila; and single and breakthrough artist of the year nominee Lu Kala. 2023/2024 Allan Slaight Juno Master Class recipient Lili-Ann De Francesco also performed
Electric performances and award presentations from new faces like:
Aqyila, Begonia, Jah'mila with Wolf and Wendy McIssac and Morgan Toney on fiddles, Lili-Ann De Francesco, Lu Kala and treasured favourites as well as winners of coveted JUNO statuettes for: The Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award, and 44 JUNO Awards
Artists and Professionals we lost in 2023-2024
were remembered. https://www.facebook.com/100063892402067/videos/780665186950622/
SiriusXM Canada today announced a new partnership with MusiCounts, Canada's leading music education charity to launch SiriusXM Soundwaves: A MusiCounts Community Fund. The program is the evolution of the MusiCounts Community Music Program and will help support youth music programs across Canada with grants of up to $20,000 for instruments, equipment and resources provided to community groups or not-for-profit organizations.
To celebrate and bring awareness to the importance of community music making in Canada, SiriusXM is opening the SiriusXM Soundwaves Music Store. with renowned Canadian rapper, producer, music executive, TV personality and philanthropist Kardinal Offishall playing host. The Music Store will open to the public between 3:00PM – 6:00PM EST, welcoming youth under the age of 16 to select a free instrument or piece of equipment to support their musical journey and is located at 1604 Queen Street West, Toronto*.
"I've seen firsthand the transformational power of music and it’s a thrill for me to be here with SiriusXM and MusiCounts to see kids pick out a brand-new instrument to help them explore their musical self-expression," said Kardinal. "This program is not just about creating artists; it's about nurturing creativity and self-confidence among young people.”
This initiative is consistent with SiriusXM Canada’s passion for promoting and elevating Canadian artists and emerging talent through its significant financial contributions and North American-wide reach. SiriusXM Canada is a longstanding supporter of MusiCounts, having donated more than $2 million over the last 15 years, and through the fund will seek to raise awareness of the importance of music education across Canada, and to support and empower youth.
“We are thrilled to celebrate our partnership with MusiCounts and host the SiriusXM Soundwaves Music Store, which aligns with our commitment to support the vibrancy and diversity of Canadian music,” said Rob Keen, SVP, Sales, Marketing & CCD, SiriusXM Canada. “Making music and music education programs more accessible at the community level across the country is an investment we are proud to make to develop the next generation of Canadian musical talent.”
Kristy Fletcher, President of MusiCounts, shared her enthusiasm for this partnership. "Music has the power to transform the lives of young people, which is why the MusiCounts partnership with SiriusXM is so crucial. Through this partnership, we will be able to support music programs across Canada, ensuring kids who need it most have access to music-making in their communities.”
The fund strives to make music education at the community level accessible to youth in need, who wouldn’t otherwise have a chance to learn to make music. Community programs often satisfy children’s unique needs: cultural representation and celebration, music therapy, language preservation, and more. As funding for music programs continues to decrease across the country, this partnership will help bridge gaps, create opportunities, and make music more accessible to young people across the country.
To learn more about SiriusXM and MusiCounts’ partnership, please visit www.siriusxm.ca/musicounts. A special thanks to Long & McQuade Musical Instruments.
JUNO BLOCK PARTY Presented by FACTOR Foundation North Parking Lot 6pm at1549 Lower Water Street. $1 of each ticket sold was donated to MusiCounts. Block Party's second night will feature Talk, Good Kid, Dizzy and Maggie Andrew, and the third night will see performances from James Barker Band, Tyler Joe Miller, Dave Sampson, Sacha and special guests. Tickets for Friday and Saturday nights are $35 each.
SUN MAR 24 Day 4 JUNIOR JUNOS Presented by Halifax Public Libraries & Paul O’Regan Hall at Halifax Central Library 11am. This show was located at the Halifax Central Library at 5440 Spring Garden Rd, Halifax, NS, inside Paul O' Regan Hall, Junior JUNOS is a family-friendly event featuring performances by the 2024 JUNO Nominees for Children’s Album of the Year. Hosted by CBC Kids' Tony Kim and Gary the Unicorn, fans of all ages were invited to experience a morning filled with music and storytelling! This is the gathering place for people and ideas, enabling a lifetime of learning, engagement and possibility, making it the perfect venue for music’s biggest little fans. Hosted by CBC Kids’ Tony Kim with performers from the 2024 Juno nominees for children's album of the year: Ginalina, Splash N' Boots, the Swinging Belles and a virtual performance by ABC Sing Song.
SUNDAY, MARCH 24 Day 4 JUNO SONGWRITERS’ CIRCLE Presented by SOCAN and FACTOR in association with Music Publishers Canada. Taped in front of a live audience from Halifax’s LightHouse Arts Centre on Friday, March 22, the 2024 JUNO nominees join CBC Music host Damhnait Doyle in Halifax for a unique event that stripped away the layers of production to present the essence of music in its purest form: the song itself. Heard candid conversations, acoustic performances, and unforgettable connections from SONG-WRITER’S CIRCLE 2024 Broadcasted March 24 6pmh. Tis year's showcase featured personal anecdotes and.unbuttoned performances from some of Canada's top lyricists and 2024 Juno nominees:
Adult alternative album of the year nominee Begonia.
Vocal jazz album of the year nominee Dominique Fils-Aimé.
Adult alternative album of the year nominee Jeremy Dutcher.
Traditional R&B/soul recording of the year nominee Katie Tupper.
Traditional R&B/soul recording of the year nominee Luna Elle.
Blues album of the year nominee Matt Andersen.
Pop album of the year nominee Rêve.
Songwriter and contemporary roots album of the year nominee William Prince
SUNDAY MARCH 24 Day 4 THE 2024 JUNO AWARDS BROADCAST
Hosted by music icon Nelly Furtado, Canada’s Biggest Night in Music at Scotiabank Centre featured the presentation of various JUNO Awards and performances by Canada’s hottest artists live from Halifax for the 53rd annual celebration of Canada’s top musicians, singers, songwriters, producers, and more. Broadcasted live on CBC, CBC Gem, CBC Radio and CBC at 8 p.m. ET (5 PT/ 6 MT/ 7 CT/ 9 AT / 9:30 NT) with encore broadcasts on CBC TV in PT and MT time zones at 8 p.m.. In addition to described video and closed captioning CBC Gem will also offer ASL interpretation made available courtesy of the Disability Screen Office, CBC and Insight Productions with the support from the Canada Media Fund.
On Sunday, March 24 the 53rd Annual JUNO Awards broadcast featured performances by Jeremy Dutcher and Elisapie with fiery Mi'kmaq fiddler Moran Toney featuring artistic creator Sarah Prosper, Josh Ross, Karan Aujla, TALK and special performances by Alexandra Stréliski, Allison Russell and Aysanabee paying homage to legendary artist Karl Tremblay, Gordon Lightfoot and Robbie Robertson. As previously mentioned the other performers were The Beaches, Charlotte Cardin, Nelly Furtado. As well, producer and composer Ikky, who made a broadcast appearance as did Maestro Fresh Wes to commemorate his induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.
"When I began my journey into rap there were only a few of us finding success in the genre and it was a struggle to find a place for our music," he said in a statement on Tuesday. "It's a full circle moment for me to be honored with this award that recognizes my life's work. I'm grateful to have helped pave the way for younger Canadian artists and I can't wait to celebrate in Halifax," shared Maestro Fresh Wes regarding his 1989 debut Symphony in Effect which was the first certified platinum album by a Black Canadian artist.
THE JUNO AWARDS AFTER PARTY IN SUPPORT OF MUSICOUNTS with proceeds going towards the MusiCounts School Music Funding programs, which help the next generation of great Canadian artists and industry professionals get their start at locals like Hide + Seek, The Loft, The Dome +Grafton Connor Complex at 11:30 featured live entertainment on two exclusive stages, this was a party!
MONDAY, MARCH, 25 CBC MUSIC MORNINGS WITH DAMHNAIT DOYLE
Host Damhnait Doyle is live from Halifax, looking back at Canada’s biggest night in music. Hear interviews with 2024 JUNO winners and nominees, as well as some of the top music headlines to come out of Halifax’s JUNO week. Broadcasts on CBC Music and CBC Listen at 6 a.m. local time (6:30 NT)
COMMOTION WITH ELAMIN ABDELMAHMOUD
Featuring a panel live from Halifax, host Elamin Abdelmahmoud brings together music critics from across the country to recap the wins and surprises of the 2024 JUNO awards. Broadcasts on CBC Radio One and CBC Listen at 11 a.m. local time (11:30 NT)
"It's such an important night," she said. "I just think Canada does such a great job creating our own really potent music industry." The Victoria native is enjoying performing again after a few years away from the limelight. "I'm loving it," she told CBC News. "Sometimes when I'm on stage, it feels like a huge karaoke and we're all just having a party." Furtado hosted the 2007 edition of the Canadian music awards in Saskatoon. That year, she also swept all five categories she was nominated in. She had her first concert in five years in Australia on New Year's Eve last year, and in September released Keep Going Up, a new collaboration with producer Timbaland and Justin Timberlake. Nelly Furtado continued to share, that she started to find her voice again at studio sessions with her oldest daughter, and that another big moment in her comeback was being invited up on stage by Drake at OVO Fest in Toronto in 2022, where she sang sections from Promiscuous and Like a Bird. "I hadn't been on stage in so long that it took all my courage to just do it on such short notice," she said. There have been some pretty long gaps between Furtado's albums and appearances in the past. She says getting back to performing has reminded her that music is what she does for a living. "I forgot about that for a while. I forgot that that was my job. So now I'm having fun doing my job again," she said. In addition to Furtado, the show will feature performances from Toronto rock group the Beaches and Charlotte Cardin, who took home four Juno's in 2022.
New changes for Juno submissions: This year, there are three changes that applicants should be aware of, surrounding AI artificial intelligence, as well as the producer of the year and album artwork of the year.
Projects using artificial intelligence: AI: Elements of AI can be used in eligible projects for Juno contention, but humans must be the primary creative contributors of the work that is submitted. Only humans are eligible to be nominated in any Juno category, according to the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.
Producer of the year category changes: Artists applying for the producer of the year category must have produced at least four tracks that fall within the eligibility dates.
Album artwork of the year category expansion: The art that is eligible for album artwork of the year will now also include digital streaming multimedia.
Drake revealed the cover for his upcoming album drawn by his 5-year-old son.
PERFORMERS Julian Taylor, Logan Staats, Shawnee Kish, and William Prince joined Alexandra Streliski, Allison Russell and Aysanabee for a special tribute performance at The 2024 JUNO Awards.
What an impressive lineup of talented performers March 24 . Nelly Furtado: The 10-time Juno-winning pop singer kicked off the event with a medley of her hits and also hosted the main awards ceremony.
Alexandra Stréliski: Known for her mesmerizing instrumental music, Alexandra paid homage to Karl Tremblay (the iconic lead singer of Les Cowboys Fringants) in a joint performance with Allison Russell and Aysanabee.
Allison Russell: A Grammy-winning artist and master storyteller, Allison weaved her tales through her music during the Juno Awards. Aysanabee: A part of the tribute performance alongside Alexandra Stréliski and Allison Russell, Aysanabee added her unique touch to the stage. Jeremy Dutcher: His powerful performance resonated with the audience, showcasing his incredible talent. Elisapie also graced the stage, contributing to the captivating musical experience. These artists, along with previously announced performers like The Beaches, Charlotte Cardin, and Maestro Fresh Wes, made the 2024 Juno Awards a memorable event for music lovers across Canada.
"We're doing more than has ever been done [at the Junos]," explained Fry, who is the co-founder of the Canadian chapter of Music Declares Emergency, an organization that supports musicians and the music industry in reducing their climate impact. Through Music Declares, Fry has been working with the Junos and the City of Halifax to expand the awards' climate action plan, hopefully creating a template for years to come.
Since 2008, the Juno Awards' main focus has been on carbon offsets, in partnership with Bullfrog Power, but this year there's a big focus on alternative transportation, due to the fact that "85 per cent of the emissions connected to live music are related to audience travel and transportation," as Fry pointed out.
The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS), the non-profit organization behind the Junos, agreed, and the subcommittee was launched. Among the committee members were Fry, local musician Braden Lam, and folks from Halifax's Energy and Environment Department, which is responsible for HaliFACT, the city's climate action plan and movement.
"It's a good opportunity to really bring the climate and sustainability conversation into the most prominent night in Canadian music," says Fry.
By bus, car, foot or bike
Some of Music Declares Emergency's main work with CARAS and the City of Halifax had a straightforward goal: get people to where they need to go while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. With that in mind, there is now a robust list of options.
Free transportation from the airport to downtown Halifax on Friday, March 22, with shuttles left 15 minutes before the hour, every hour, between 9:45 a.m. and 6:45 p.m. A DJ will also be set up at the airport, alongside Music Declares Emergency, to "talk to people about how audience travel is the big thing," said Fry.
Free transportation on Halifax Transit buses for all volunteers for the weekend.
Free Juno shuttle on Friday, March 22, from 5:30 p.m. to midnight, then again on Saturday, March 23, and Sunday, March 24, from noon to midnight,
to get people between Junofest venues
Halifax Transit ferry service was extended an hour in the evenings from
Friday through Sunday.
Five electric vehicles were the music industry shuttles and
red carpet drop-off vehicles from March 21 to 24.
Nine new and permanent bike racks had been installed around Juno venues around the city, including: Scotiabank Centre, the Light House Arts Centre, the Marquee, the Halifax Central Library, the Carleton, St. Andrew's Church, Rebecca Cohn Auditorium, Sanctuary Arts Centre and New Scotland Brewing.
Another focus for the sustainability committee was for Music Declares and the City of Halifax to program the HaliFACT Climate Stage: a free, all-ages outdoor stage set up outside the Halifax Central Library. Powered by solar panels and bike pedaling, it was a carbon neutral stage for its four days of programming. (If you brought your bike down, you could also get a free bike tune-up from the Ecology Action Centre.)
The Climate Stage lineup will include half-hour sets from:
Thursday, March 21, 5-7 p.m.: Tragedy Ann, Moonfruits, Freya Milliken.
Friday, March 22, 5-7 p.m.: BASYL, Aleksi Campagne, Donna Grantis.
Sat, Mar. 23, 2-5:30 p.m.: Apryll Aileen, Electro Jacques Therapy, Housewife, Kristen Martell, DeeDee Austin.
Sunday, March 24, 2-5:30 p.m.: Avery Dakin, Ballsy, Braden Lam, Laura Rae, Moira & Claire.
Grantis, a Toronto-based guitarist who used to play and record with Prince, also performed at the March 17 Music Declares Emergency climate concert, where the first Canadian Environmental Music Awards were launched. The intersection of music and climate is the artist's sole creative focus right now.
The 1st Canadian Environmental Music Awards launched at Halifax concert
"I'm here because I really believe in the power of music to inspire new ideas, new feelings and new connections — both with each other, and with the Earth," she said at the concert, after performing work from a project where she's pairing climate activist voices with her own compositions. Her 2023 song, "A Drop in the Bucket," was the first release from that collection, and it features the voice of Tzeporah Berman, chair of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative.
OPENING THE NIGHT was non other than the legend and Nova Scotia's pride, who still holds the most JUNOS ever at 25 awards, the iconic, Anne Murray, who presented the first award of the night for Album of the Year, which went to The Beaches.
Nelly Fortado blew the roof off with a medley of her hits!
Premier Sponsor: Continuing its tradition of supporting Canadian music and celebrating its fans, Premier Sponsor TD Bank Group was back as a partner of the JUNO Awards for the 13th consecutive year. As part of their on-site activations, TD Fly Past the Line returned for the third consecutive year at Gate B & E of the Broadcast Venue, allowing guests to skip the lines by showing a TD credit or access card. At JUNO Songwriters’ Circle and the JUNO Opening Night Awards, TD offered fans a chance to capture memorable moments with engaging photo opportunities. At the JUNO Awards Broadcast, attendees visited the TD activation in the East concourse to take a photo with the JUNO for the Fans, celebrating everyone who supports Canadian music. Additionally, TD is running a contest for music enthusiasts to win the TD JUNOS Road Case filled with prizes from JUNO Broadcast performers, included merchandise, vinyl records, and autographed items. Maestro Fresh Wes served as the spokesperson for the campaign, featured in an online video created for the contest.
TD is also proud to continue the TD JUNOS Submissions Access Program for a third year, supporting independent Canadian artists from underrepresented communities by covering their submission fees for the 2024 JUNO Awards. This year, the program received over 400 applications and resulted in 12 nominations, providing close to $75,000 in funds to independent and underrepresented artists. The program aims to surpass last year’s total of 3 JUNO Award winners.
Lastly, for the fourth year in a row, at The 2024 JUNO Awards Broadcast, TD presented the Canadian Music Hall of Fame Induction and Performance, this year honouring Maestro Fresh Wes, as well as host the TD Zone where select JUNO Submissions Access Program Nominees got to watch acts of the show from backstage.
TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNER IS recognized and celebrates the accomplishments of 18 music teachers across Canada, who strive to preserve the livelihood of music education in their schools and communities. Award Nominees Zeda Ali - Sunnyview Middle School, Brampton, ON Robert Bailey - École Charlie Killam School, Camrose, AB Élisabeth Bouchard-Bernier - École Des Explorateurs, Malartic, QC Sarah Comerford - Macdonald Drive Junior High, St. John’s, NL Stephen Richardson - École St. Joseph, Yellowknife, NT
2024 JUNO Award Winners
WINNERS HIGHLIGHTED IN RED.
TIKTOK JUNO FAN CHOICE | JUNO TIKTOK CHOIX DU PUBLIC
SINGLE OF THE YEAR | SINGLE DE L’ANNÉE -
INTERNATIONAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR | ALBUM INTERNATIONAL DE L’ANNÉE
ALBUM OF YEAR | ALBUM DE L’ANNÉE
ARTIST OF THE YEAR | ARTISTE DE L’ANNÉE
GROUP OF THE YEAR | GROUPE DE L’ANNÉE
BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST OF THE YEAR | RÉVÉLATION DE L’ANNÉE (ARTISTE) - PRESENTED BY FACTOR, THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA AND CANADA’S PRIVATE RADIO BROADCASTERS | PRÉSENTÉ PAR FACTOR, LE GOUVERNEMENT DU CANADA ET L’ASSOCATION CANADIENNE DES RADIODIFFUSEURS
PRESENTED BY FACTOR, THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA AND CANADA’S PRIVATE RADIO BROADCASTERS | PRÉSENTÉ PAR FACTOR, LE GOUVERNEMENT DU CANADA ET L’ASSOCATION CANADIENNE DES RADIODIFFUSEURS
SONGWRITER OF THE YEARAUTEUR-COMPOSITEUR DE L’ANNÉE
COUNTRY ALBUM OF THE YEAR | ALBUM COUNTRY DE L’ANNÉE
ADULT ALTERNATIVE ALBUM OF THE YEAR | ALBUM ADULTE ALTERNATIF DE L’ANNÉE -
ALTERNATIVE ALBUM OF THE YEAR | ALBUM ALTERNATIF DE L’ANNÉE
POP ALBUM OF THE YEAR | ALBUM POP DE L’ANNÉE
ROCK ALBUM OF THE YEAR | ALBUM ROCK DE L’ANNÉE
VOCAL JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR | ALBUM DE JAZZ VOCAL DE L’ANNÉE
JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR (SOLO) | ALBUM DE JAZZ DE L’ANNÉE (SOLO)
JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR (GROUP) | ALBUM DE JAZZ DE L’ANNÉE (GROUPE)
- Migrations, Allison Au with the Migrations Ensemble
- Septology-The Black Forest Session, Canadian Jazz Collective
- Cry Me a River, Hilario Duran and His Latin Jazz Big Band
- Recent History, Mike Murley & Mark Eisenman Quartet
- Convergence, Nick Maclean Quartet feat. Brownman Ali
INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR | ALBUM INSTRUMENTAL DE L’ANNÉE
FRANCOPHONE ALBUM OF THE YEAR | ALBUM FRANCOPHONE DE L’ANNÉE
CHILDREN’S ALBUM OF THE YEAR | ALBUM JEUNESSE DE L’ANNÉE
CLASSICAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR (SOLO ARTIST) | ALBUM CLASSIQUE DE L’ANNÉE (SOLO)
CLASSICAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR (LARGE ENSEMBLE) | ALBUM CLASSIQUE DE L’ANNÉE (GRAND ENSEMBLE)
CLASSICAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR (SMALL ENSEMBLE) | ALBUM CLASSIQUE DE L’ANNÉE (PETIT ENSEMBLE)
CLASSICAL COMPOSITION OF THE YEAR | COMPOSITION CLASSIQUE DE L’ANNÉE
RAP ALBUM/EP OF THE YEAR | ALBUM/MICROALBUM RAP DE L’ANNÉE
DANCE RECORDING OF THE YEAR | ENREGISTREMENT DANCE DE L’ANNÉE
CONTEMPORARY R&B RECORDING OF THE YEAR | ENREGISTREMENT R&B CONTEMPORAIN DE L’ANNÉE
REGGAE RECORDING OF THE YEAR | ENREGISTREMENT REGGAE DE L’ANNÉE
CONTEMPORARY INDIGENOUS ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR | ARTISTE OU GROUPE AUTOCHTONE CONTEMPORAIN DE L’ANNÉE -
CONTEMPORARY ROOTS ALBUM OF THE YEAR | ALBUM ROOTS CONTEMPORAIN DE L’ANNÉE
TRADITIONAL ROOTS ALBUM OF THE YEAR | ALBUM ROOTS TRADITIONNEL DE L’ANNÉE
BLUES ALBUM OF THE YEAR | ALBUM DE BLUES DE L’ANNÉE
CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN | GOSPEL ALBUM OF THE YEAR | ALBUM CHRÉTIEN | GOSPEL CONTEMPORAIN DE L’ANNÉE
GLOBAL MUSIC ALBUM OF THE YEAR | ALBUM DE MUSIQUE GLOBALE DE L’ANNÉE
JACK RICHARDSON PRODUCER OF THE YEAR (PRESENTED BY AUDIO-TECHNICA) | PRIX JACK RICHARDSON DU RÉALISATEUR DE L’ANNÉE (PRÉSENTÉ PAR AUDIO-TECHNICA)
- Hill Kourkoutis: "Ego Death," Aysanabee; "Whiskey Bar," Tafari Anthony (co-producers Jordyn Woodside, Mike Tompa, Tafari Anthony).
- Jason Brando, Lubalin, Mathieu Sénéchal and Sam Avant: "Confetti," Charlotte Cardin (co-producer Rob Grimaldi); "Jim Carrey," Charlotte Cardin.
- Joel Stouffer: "Breaking Up With Jesus," Reve; "Whitney," Reve (co-producers Aaron Paris, Banx & Ranx.
- Shawn Everett: "Used to Be Young," Miley Cyrus (co-producers Michael Pollack, Miley Cyrus); "What Now," Brittany Howard (co-producer Brittany Howard).
- Wondagurl: "Circus Maximus," Travis Scott (co-producers Jahaan Sweet, Mike Dean, Noah Goldstein, Travis Scott); "HYAENA" (co-producers Jahaan Sweet, Mike Dean, Noah Goldstein, Travis Scott).
RECORDING ENGINEER OF THE YEAR | INGÉNIEUR DU SON DE L’ANNÉE
- Denis Tougas: "Dawgcatcher," Amanda Marshall; "Special," Amanda Marshall
- George Seara: "Everything Belongs," Cory Asbury; "The Promise is the Same," Cory Asbury.
- Matty Green: "because of you," Chris LaRocca; "Midnight Dreams," Ellie Goulding.
- Serban Ghenea: "Anti-Hero," Taylor Swift; "Paint The Town Red," Doja Cat.
- Shawn Everett: "Used to Be Young," Miley Cyrus; "What Now," Brittany Howard
ALBUM ARTWORK OF THE YEAR | GRAPHISME D’ALBUM DE L’ANNÉE
- Carolyne De Bellefeuille (art director), Jessica Ledoux (designer, illustrator), Mali Savaria-Ille (designer, illustrator), Veronique Lafortune (designer, illustrator), Leeor Wild (photographer: Inuktitut, Elisapie.
- Heather Goodchild (art director), Colby Richardson (designer), Colin Fletcher (illustrator), Sara Melvin (photographer): Multitudes, Feist.
- Kit King (illustrator), Vanessa Heins (photographer): The Love Still Held Me Near, City and Colour.
- Nicolas Lemieux (art director), Mykaël Nelson (designer and illustrator), Albert Zablit (photographer): Riopelle Symphonique, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal.
- Quinton Nyce (art director), Brodie Metcalfe (designer), Davis Graham (illustrator), Kaylee Smoke (photographer): I'm Good, HBU?, Snotty Nose Rez Kids.
