by aLfie vera mella
We had a great time watching 2014 Juno Music Awards; after all, our complimentary tickets were for the front of the stage. Yes, we were in the moshpit…only that there was no moshing, simply because there were no hard-rocking bands that rocked the stage. Nevertheless, most of the performances were enjoyable, both sonically and visually. Based on my personal music preference and considering the audio and the visual aspect of the presentation, the best performances of the night were those of Serena Ryder (“Harmony”), Tegan and Sara (“Closer”), and Walk Off the Earth (“Gang of Rhythm” / “Red Hands”).
Tegan and Sara won Single of the Year (“Closer”) and Pop Album of the Year (‘Heartthrob,’ 2013) awards. Arcade Fire won Album of the Year (‘Reflektor’).
I just wished Arcade Fire had done a live performance. Being unavailable due to a concert tour in Chile, Arcade Fire was just featured in a recorded video performance flashed on the big screen on the stage.
When Justin Bieber won the Fans’ Choice Music Award, many in the audience booed. So, to Bieber haters, rejoice! As far as I’m concerned, however, good boy or bad boy Bieber, I still listen to his music. After all, music to me is essentially something to be listened to and not to be watched. Ultimately, I love music for music’s sake; I don’t really let my music appreciation get affected by whatever personal escapades artists do. So, Bieber, don’t worry, I’m still a fan—not of yours, but of your music. There’s a difference! You should be happy about that. I’m sure you’d rather have someone like me who loves your music despite your current troubles than someone who goes gaga about you but doesn’t even have a copy of your album. Unless that gaga is a hot, young, and fresh female of the species.
Sarah McLachlan rendered a beautiful performance of her new song “Beautiful Girl,” included in her forthcoming eighth album, ‘Shine On,’ slated for release next week.
Canadian band Bachman–Turner Overdrive was given recognition by having been inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, and then they performed with The Sheepdogs their song “Taking Care of Business.”
Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield presented the award to BTO.
Oh by the way, despite the fact that I like One Republic, I just found it absurd for Juno to book an American band to perform at a short event with few performance slots while there were so many equally good or even better and more popular Canadian bands available.
Overall, the awards night was just fine. Of course, I should be grateful for having had the chance to attend the music festival for free; but objectively speaking, the event was obviously lackluster because it was not really star-studded. So many Canadian artists and bands whom a music fan might expect to be gracing a very important once-a-year-only Canadian music awards were absent: Hedley, Avril Lavigne, Nickelback, Sum 41, Billy Talent, Metric, Rush, Bryan Adams, Céline Dion, haLf man haLf eLf… Okay, pardon my delusional wishes. I just need to rest now. I got really tired from all those head banging, slam dancing, and body squishing there in the jampacked moshpit. Not!
Photos: CARASiPhoto
Visit JunoAwards.ca for more photos
