As the countdown continues to the 2019 JUNO Awards, London is gearing up to host JUNO Week.
With events taking place between March 11 to the JUNO Award broadcast on March 17, performers and guests are confirmed for this year’s events to be held all over the Southwestern Ontario city.
To help you with all your JUNO Week planning, here’s a rundown of the marquee events, what to expect and where to go to experience Canada’s biggest music party of the year.
q – Live at the JUNOS
March 14, London Music Hall, 7 p.m.
CBC Music is bringing a live taping of CBC Radio’s q to the London Music Hall. Hosted by Tom Power, the show will feature performances by JUNO nominees Bahamas (Songwriter of the Year, Adult Alternative Album of the Year, Recording Engineer of the Year, Video of the Year), Donovan Woods (Songwriter of the Year, Contemporary Roots Album of the Year) and Kaia Kater (Contemporary Roots Album of the Year); as well as comedy set by comedy album of the year nominee, Chanty Marostica.
The show will also feature an interview with writer and London-resident, Emma Donoghue, who is best known for the novel, Room; which was adapted into the film of the same name, and earned Donoghue an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Tickets are available via CBC.ca/q. The event will be then live-streamed at CBCMusic.ca/junos and broadcast nationwide on Friday, March 15 on CBC Radio One at 10 a.m.
JUNO Cup Jam
March 14, Rum Runners, 8 p.m.
On the eve of the traditional kick-off event for JUNO Weekend, Jim Cuddy will bring along his hockey palls and take over Rum Runners for the JUNO Cup Jam. Backed by the Devin Cuddy Band and hosted by CBC Sports broadcasters Rob Snoek and Sophia Jurksztowicz, Blue Rodeo frontman will be joined by Classified, The Reklaws, members of Born Ruffians, Cuff the Duke, Ferraro, Jeff Giles (Jane’s Party) and many others for a night of covers and collaborations.
Tickets are available starting at $22.60 including HST (plus fees) at ticketmaster.ca, Ticketmaster’s automated phone service (1-855-985-5000) or in person at the London Music Hall Box Office. All proceeds benefit MusiCounts. The event is 19+.
JUNO Cup
March 15, Western Fair District Sports Centre, 7:30 p.m.
For 16 years, Jim Cuddy has put his face and his voice to the fan favourite JUNO Cup, that pits Canadian music icons against National Hockey League (NHL) alumni and Canadian Women’s Hockey League (CWHL) players.
This year’s event will take place at Western Fair District Sports Centre. Team “NHL Greats” will feature hockey legends Doug Gilmour (Toronto Maple Leafs), Gary Roberts(Calgary Flames, Toronto Maple Leafs), Mark Napier (Montréal Canadiens, Edmonton Oilers), Sami Jo Small (Toronto Furies), Natalie Spooner (Toronto Furies), Sarah Nurse (Toronto Furies),Renata Fast (Toronto Furies), Dennis Maruk (Washington Capitals, Minnesota North Stars), Dave McLlwain (Toronto Maple Leafs, Winnipeg Jets), Mike Kostka (Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators), and Brad Dalgarno (New York Islanders); while Brandon Prust (Vancouver Canucks, Montreal Canadiens) will coach.
Meanwhile, the “Rockers” will feature Cuddy, The Reklaws, Classified, Adrian Sutherland (Midnight Shine), Amanda Rheaume, Menno Versteeg (Hollerado), Mitch Derosier and Luke Lalonde (Born Ruffians), Jeff Giles (Jane’s Party) and Katie Munshaw (Dizzy); whil Ryan Boldt (Deep Dark Woods) will coach.
In addition to featuring the ever popular skills competition, fans will get a chance to try para ice hockey. In addition, there will be a tribute to longtime JUNO Cup player, the late Mike ‘Beard Guy’ Taylor from Walk off the Earth.
Individual tickets to JUNO Cup are priced at $20 and are available online through budweisergardens.com, with all proceeds benefiting MusiCounts.
JUNO Comedy Show
March 15, London Music Hall, 7 p.m.
Following the reintroduction of the JUNO Award for Comedy Album of the Year in 2018, the JUNO Awards are bringing the laughs Friday night with a showcase at the London Music Hall. Hosted by SiriusXM’s Ben Miner, the JUNO Comedy Show will feature performances by the 2019 JUNO Award nominees Chanty Marostica, Dave Merheje, Mayce Galoni and Pat Thornton.
Tickets to the JUNO Comedy Show Presented are $27.50 and are available at londonmusichall.com, Ticketmaster automated phone service (1-855-985-5000) or in person London Music Hall Box Office.
JUNOfest
March 15 – March 16, various locations
The JUNO parties will go well into Friday and Saturday night as JUNOfest picks up steam.
Over 100 bands are scheduled to take the stages of 15 venues across London. Included in this year’s festival is JUNOfest Jazz at McManus Theatre (Grand Theatre) on Friday, March 15 and JUNOfest Classical at the Aeolian Hall Performing Arts Centre. In addition, 30 JUNOfest wristbands will be honoured for Thursday night’s q – Live at the JUNOS.
Just some of the performers for JUNOfest include Jim Cuddy, Tokyo Police Club, Whitehorse, The Trews, the Washboard Union, Snotty Nose Rez Kids, and Dwayne Gretzky.
It is recommended that concertgoers obtain JUNOfest wristbands, which will offer priority access to all JUNOfest venues over the two nights (subject to capacity). Wristbands are $30 and are on sale now at TicketWeb.ca.
Junior JUNOS
March 16, Wolf Performance Hall, 10 a.m.
Junior JUNOS is a Saturday morning dance party for kids of all ages!
The event, hosted by CBC Kids’ stars Tony and Gary the Unicorn, will feature Children’s Album of the Year nominees Beppie, Ginalina, Sonshine & Broccoli and Splash’N Boots. Families will experience a morning of music, crafts and an array of interactive activities. There will also be a special meet and greet with True from the web series, True and the Rainbow Kingdom.
Individual tickets to Junior JUNOS are $9.04 for children, and $22.60 for adults. Family Passes are also available for $45.20 and can be purchased at eventbrite.ca.
JUNO Fan Fare
March 16, CF Masonville Place, 12 p.m.
Let’s go to the mall! London music fans will get the opportunity to take selfies with today’s hottest Canadian artists at CF Masonville Place. Hosted by CBC Music’s Odario Williams, this high energy event will feature appearances from Brett Kissel, KILLY, Loud Luxury, Johnny Orlando, Meghan Patrick, The Reklaws, Scott Helman and Tyler Shaw.
NOTE: Tickets for this event are sold out. To join the waitlist, please visit https://junoawards.ca/event/juno-fan-fare/.
JUNO Stories From The Studio
March 16, Fanshawe College, School of Tourism, Hospitality, and Culinary Arts, 12 p.m.
New to JUNO Week, JUNO Stories From The Studio will gather the best of Canada’s behind the scenes hitmakers to tell their stories.
Hosted by singer-songwriter, Emm Gryner, JUNO Stories From The Studio will feature Recording Engineer of the Year nominees Ben Kaplan, Jason Dufour, Robbie Lackritz, Shawn Everett and Steve Bays, and Jack Richardson Producer of the Year nominees Eric Ratz, Greg Wells, Mike Wise and Thomas D’Arcy to discuss exactly what goes into making hit records and songs. The event will also feature guest panelist, Rookz, CEO of Toronto’s Sandbox Studios.
Tickets for JUNO Stories From The Studio are $15 and available via TicketWeb.ca or by calling 1-888-222-6608. Proceeds from the event will support MusiCounts.
JUNO Songwriters’ Circle
March 17, Centennial Hall, 12 p.m.
The Jewel of JUNO Week, this intimate showcase of the best songwriters across generations and genres captures the hearts of all who attend and listen live on CBC Radio One and CBC Music.
Hosted by singer, Alan Doyle, and CBC Radio’s Tom Power, this year’s circle will feature 2019 JUNO nominees David Foster (2019 Humanitarian Award), Dan Mangan (Adult Alternative Album of the Year), Elisapie (Indigenous Music Album of the Year), Laila Biali (Vocal Jazz Album of the Year), Meghan Patrick (Breakthrough Artist of the Year; Country Album of the Year) and Tyler Shaw (Pop Album of the Year).
Tickets for the JUNO Songwriters’ Circle start at $49.50 and are available at eventbrite.ca. Proceeds will benefit MusiCounts.