THE SHOW WILL GO ON

Junos return to in-person ceremony for first time since pandemic hit

It took a few years, but it appears the Juno Awards are finally (almost) back to normal. The 51st annual ceremony honouring the best in Canadian music will see the return of an in-person crowd for the first time since 2019 when it hits the open air at Toronto's Budweiser Stage on Sunday.

The 2020 Junos set for Saskatoon were outright cancelled when the country went into lockdown in March of that year, with prizes eventually being handed out virtually in late June. Last year's Toronto-set 50th anniversary broadcast was also virtual for the most part, taking place in June after being postponed twice due to changes in Ontario COVID restrictions.

As in pre-pandemic fashion, Juno festivities included a week's worth of concerts, a songwriters' circle and panels culminating with Saturday's opening night awards (where the bulk of the Junos will be handed out) and Sunday's gala — outdoors instead of in — to be broadcasted live on CBC.

Major Junos such as album of the year, group of the year and breakthrough artist will be handed out during the closing night ceremony, which also includes singer Deborah Cox's induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and an appearance by international achievement award winner Shawn Mendes. Canadian faves Arcade Fire, Arkells, Avril Lavigne, Charlotte Cardin and Haviah Mighty are among those set to perform, and Mississauga-raised Marvel star Simu Liu will host Sunday's festivities.

“Canadian entertainment and culture hold a very important place in my heart and getting the chance to experience the festivities in my hometown makes the experience even more special to me,” Liu said in a media release.

As for the nominees? Montreal singer-songwriter Cardin tops the list with six nominations. Cardin's album Phoenix was released last April and topped the charts for several weeks. Justin Bieber and The Weeknd follow with five nods each, while Mendes, Vancouver songstress Jessia and first-time nominee Pressa have four mentions apiece. Here's a closer look at this weekend's key Juno nominees:

Tiktok Juno fan choice

347aidan

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bbno$

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Charlotte Cardin

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Forest Blakk

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Jessia

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Justin Bieber

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Loud Luxury

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Pressa

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Shawn Mendes

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The Weeknd

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Single of the year

I'm not Pretty, Jessia

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Make a Life, not a Living, Brett

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Kissel

Meaningless, Charlotte Cardin

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Peaches, Justin Bieber and

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Daniel Caesar feat. Giveon

Take my Breath, the Weeknd

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International album of the year

30, Adele

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Evermore, Taylor Swift

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F--k Love 3+: Over You, the Kid

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Laroi

Planet Her, Doja Cat

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Sour, Olivia Rodrigo

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Album of the year

Dangerous Levels of Introspection,

■ JP Saxe

Justice, Justin Bieber

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Phoenix, Charlotte Cardin

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Too Young to be Sad, Tate Mcrae

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Wonder, Shawn Mendes

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Artist of the year

Charlotte Cardin

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JP Saxe

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Justin Bieber

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Shawn Mendes

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The Weeknd

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Group of the year

Arkells

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Loud Luxury

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Mother Mother

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The Reklaws

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Valley

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Breakthrough artist of the year

347aidan

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Faouzia

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Jessia

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Pressa

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Tesher

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Breakthrough group of the year

Black Pistol Fire

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Cleopatrick

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Monowhales

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Ocie Elliott

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Spiritbox

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Songwriter of the year

Abel Tesfaye — Hurricane,

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Moth to a Flame, Take My Breath

Allison Russell — 4th Day

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Prayer, Montreal, Nightflyer

Charlotte Day Wilson — I Can

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Only Whisper, If I Could, Wish It Was Easy

Mustafa Ahmed — Air Forces,

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The Hearse, What About Heaven

Tobi — Off The Drugs, Shall I

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Continue, Too Hot

Country album of the year

Boys, Dean Brody

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Campfire Troubadour, Tim

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Hicks

Girl to Girl, Tenille Arts

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Sophomore Slump, the Reklaws

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What is Life?, Brett Kissel

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Adult alternative album of the year

All That Emotion, Hannah

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Georgas

Ignorance, the Weather Station

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Inwards & Onwards, Half

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Moon Run

Live to Tape: Vol. I – EP, Bahamas

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Wilds, Andy Shauf

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Alternative album of the year

Death of an Optimist, grandson

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Hope for Sale, Chiiild

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If it Comes Down to It, Ruby

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Waters

The Fool, Sate

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When Smoke Rises, Mustafa

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Pop album of the year

How are You?, Jessia

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Justice, Justin Bieber

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Phoenix, Charlotte Cardin

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Too Young to be Sad, Tate Mcrae

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Wonder, Shawn Mendes

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Rock album of the year

Blink Once, Arkells

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F--k Art, the Dirty Nil

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Hidden Gems, the Blue Stones

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Look Alive, Black Pistol Fire

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Sisters not Twins (The Professional

■ Lovers Album), The Beaches

Rap album/ep of the year

Emergency Tsunami, NAV

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Gardner Express (Deluxe),

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Pressa

See You Next Wednesday, Belly

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Stock Exchange, Haviah Mighty

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The Extravagant Collection,

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Northsidebenji

Contemporary Indigenous artist or group of the year

Life After, Snotty Nose Rez Kids

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Shawnee Kish, Shawnee Kish

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War Club, DJ Shub

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When the Magic Hits, Adrian

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Sutherland

Wild Whisper, Jayli Wolf

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Blues album of the year

BLOW, Colin Linden

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Hope Dies Last, Steve Marriner

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Live at the Isabel, Miss Emily

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Open Road, Colin James

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Pinky's Blues, Sue Foley

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VALERIE MACON/AFP/VIA GETTY IMAGES Simu Liu, recognized around the world after starring in Marvel's Shang-chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings last year, comes home to host the 51st Juno Awards on Sunday.

Charlotte Cardin

Shawn Mendes