Juno Awards 2016: The Weeknd, Bieber, Dean Brody among winners
The Weeknd, also known as Abel Tesfaye, cleaned up at the 45th annual Juno Awards in Calgary on Sunday, taking Album of the Year with Beauty Behind the Madness and Single of the Year for Can’t Feel My Face, to go with Artist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year and R&B/Soul Recording of the Year at Saturday’s pre-show.
Tesfaye first acknowledged his peers in the last award of the evening.
“All the other nominees made amazing albums this year. Make some noise for them!” Tesfaye said as he accepted his fifth trophy of the weekend, before giving thanks to his mom and fans.
He was up against Drake, Jean Leloup, Shawn Mendes and Justin Bieber in the Album of the Year category.
Bieber took the fan choice award and offered a video acceptance as he wasn’t present.
It was an evening of music, applause and standing ovations at Calgary’s Saddledome.
Walk Off the Earth took Group of Year, beating out Hedley, Marianas Trench, Metric and Three Days Grace.
“We love you back!” singer Sarah Blackwood said to a cheering audience as she accepted the award.
Dean Brody’s Gypsy Road took Country Album of Year.
Brody shouted out thanks to his management group, “the whole team that has built me up and brought me to what I am today,” and his fans and family.
Edmontonian Alessia Cara was awarded the coveted Breakthrough Artist of the Year over fellow nominees Coleman Hell, Francesco Yates, Scott Helman and Tobias Jesso Jr.
“I have never made an acceptance speech before,” the young artist said, tearing up a little.
“Thank you so much,” she said to fans and her team.
Veteran rocker Burton Cummings was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.
Cummings took the stage and teared up during what felt like an endless standing ovation.
“Thanks, folks. That is just remarkable,” he said.
“I share this and dedicate this to my hometown of Winnipeg. I lost my mom two years ago and I think she is up there looking down … I have been so lucky. I have been surrounded by so many good people.”
The show was co-hosted by Canadian singer Jann Arden and Olympic gold medallist Jon Montgomery.
The telecast opened with a performance from Cara, who burst onto the global scene last summer with her infectious R&B-fused pop hit Here.
“There’s nothing like being embraced from home,” said Cara, who was nominated for four Junos this year, including breakout artist and the fan choice award.
Most of the 42 Juno Awards were already handed out at a gala dinner in Calgary on Saturday night.
Music-industry stalwarts like the Weeknd, Buffy Sainte-Marie and Bieber won awards, but the field had many first-time nominees.