JUSTIN BIEBER, ADELE, DRAGONETTE, DRAKE & THE SHEEPDOGS AMONG WINNERS AT 2012 JUNO AWARDS

Justin Bieber in Toronto - December 2011

Congratulations to Justin Bieber for being voted 2012 JUNO Fan Choice Award Winner!  Taking place in Ottawa this year at Scotiabank Theatre and hosted by William Shatner, there was an eclectic mix of Winners this year especially.  The Sheepdogs lead the tally with three wins including Single of the Year (I Don't Know), New Group of the Year and Rock Album of the Year (Leave & Burn). 

Other big Winners tonight included Martin Solveig & Dragonette (Dance Recording of the Year - Hello), Drake (Rap Recording of the Year - Take Care), Hedley (Pop Album of the Year - Storms), Arkells (Group of the Year), Adele (International Album of the Year - 21), Michael Bublé (Album of the Year - Christmas) and more.  

Click here for a complete list of Winners.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

HEDLEY, DRAKE, FEIST, CITY AND COLOUR, NICKELBACK AND DAN MANGAN EACH GARNER FOUR JUNO NOMINATIONS

The Boys of Hedley joke around with Police Officer backstage at 2008 Bell Celebrity Gala

It's an even match with this year's JUNO Award Nominees being announced earlier today.  Collecting four nominations apiece are Hedley, Nickelback, City and Colour, Dan Mangan, Drake and Feist.  Blue Rodeo will be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame also this year at the show which takes place April 1, 2012 in Ottawa at Scotiabank Place.  William Shatner will be hosting the Broadcast.

Canadian Fans can vote for the Juno Fan Choice Award with Finalists including: Arcade Fire, Avril Lavigne, City and Colour, Deadmau5, Drake, Ginette Reno, Hedley, Justin Bieber, Michael Bublé and Nickelback.  Hmm. Wonder who's gonna win this...

Tickets go on sale February 10, 2012 at 10:00 AM here.

CTV will be airing the JUNO Awards. Click here for a full list of Nominees.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

FEIST LIVE AT HOLT RENFREW

Feist & Mr. Will-W.

Canadian high-fashion retailer Holt Renfrew unveiled its annual holiday window display at its Bay x Bloor Flagship store in Toronto this evening. To ring in the occasion, Grammy-nominated Canadian singer/songwriter Feist did a five-song performance on an outdoor stage erected on a closed-off Bloor St. before hundreds.

Feist came on-stage at approximately 7:15 PM performing a best-of set from her three album discography including My Moon My Man, Mushaboom and I Feel It All. Of noticeable absence was her biggest hit 1234. She performed alone with her electric guitar and a digital recording device which she would sing vocal hooks and backing vocals into, looping them while singing above these tracks with impressive coordination. Her distinct vocals were front and center tonight and this being my first time seeing her live, she is - dare I say - even stronger live than on recording.

Complaining of the heat, Feist stripped off her winter jacket as the audience responded enthusiastically. Jokingly, she called her performance tonight her "2009 Tour" seeing that she has been quiet this year working in the studio on new material for her still untitled next album.

After her performance, I got to chat with Feist quickly and she posed kindly together with a photo with me, but unfortunately the flash was a little bright and she blinked! She also signed my copy of The Reminder which was very gracious of her. For more Feist, visit http://arts-crafts.ca/feist.