Juno Highlights: Something For Everyone

HALIFAX - Bagpipers at the airport, parties in the street, industry hobnobbing, star sightings and music everywhere — it was an action-packed weekend on the East Coast as the 35th annual Juno Awards did their best to celebrate Canadian music, big and small.

The televised show last night was just one event among many, and there was truly something for everyone.

Ginger’s Tavern was the place to be on Friday night, as soft-spoken romantic Ron Sexsmith held court before a full house.

Outside, about 30 people stood in line, waiting desperately for a chance to hear their favourite artist. They watched as media, label reps and other industry pass holders waltzed in front of them and upstairs.

Inside, Mr. Sexsmith played acoustic guitar (and, briefly, piano), accompanied only by stand-up bass as an enraptured crowd (save for a few schmoozers near the bar) hung on his every word and note.

The scene was somewhat more disjointed (and rowdier) over at Irish pub Pogue Fado, where Vancouver’s Alpha Yaya Diallo played fluttery African guitar, backed by a tight, funky band. Half the crowd went obliviously about its business — drinking and gabbing –while the other half danced along.

Elsewhere in town, Luke Doucet played to the jam-packed college crowd at Tribeca; rock acts Stabilo and Pilate performed at the Marquee Club; Toronto rapper Eternia and soul singer Carl Henry played an urban showcase at the Waterfront Warehouse; and Montreal rocker Jonas performed at Your Father’s Moustache.

The kids got their fix on Saturday at Juno Fan Fare, an autograph session featuring Nickelback, Bedouin Soundclash, Hedley, Shawn Desman and more than a dozen other acts.

Things kicked into high gear on Saturday night, as every venue in town seemed to have a lineup out the door.

Political offspring Justin Trudeau and Ben Mulroney were among the elite in attendance at CTV’s invitation-only Juno party, at the Economy Shoe Shop. It was open bar, Pamela Anderson was hanging out in a back room somewhere, and Jimmy Rankin was playing to the dolled-up, elbow-to-elbow attendees.

Things were more down-to-earth next door at the Seahorse pub, where local acts Hey Rosetta and Elliott Brood were performing to the mostly hometown crowd.

Coldplay front man Chris Martin performs at the Juno Awards in Halifax last night. The band tied with the Black Eyed Peas for best international album — Coldplay for X&Y, and the Black Eyed Peas for Monkey Business.

Around the corner at Ginger’s Tavern, Jully Black — who had just hosted the non-televised awards with a fearless mix of snappy punchlines and caustic wit — was delivering the smooth soul sounds of her Juno-nominated album This Is Me.

The big show of the night was a double bill: indie rock collective Broken Social Scene and reggae act Bedouin Soundclash. Feist swooped in to join her pals in Broken Social Scene for their song 7/4 (Shoreline). Both groups performed at last night’s televised awards and both, coincidentally, won Junos.

Other performances around the city on Saturday night included Halifax rockers Sloan, Juno winner Corb Lund (roots and traditional album of the year — solo) and Blessed (reggae recording of the year), plus Julie Doiron, Tanya Tagaq and C’mon.

At Dalhousie University’s Rebecca Cohn Auditorium — away from all the hustle, bustle and hype — a handful of artists sat on stools yesterday afternoon, acoustic guitars in hand, for the Songwriter’s Circle. Among them: Martha Wainwright, Diallo, Mr. Sexsmith, Joel Plaskett, Jann Arden and the event’s host, Great Big Sea’s Alan Doyle.

Broadcast on CBC Radio, the show was the antithesis of the flashy affair the Junos have become. But between the two extremes lay an endless array of possibilities — each somehow representing the eclectic, confusing and evolving identity of Canadian music.

Source: canada.com