Vancouver to host Juno Awards in 2018

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      Forget Russell Peters’ off-colour rape joke and Bill Clinton honouring local girl Sarah McLachlan—the most hyped thing on the West Coast about this year’s Juno Awards was the announcement that Vancouver has been selected as the host city for the 2018 ceremony.

      Broadcasting live from Rogers Arena, the Junos will pack the 18,630-capacity stadium in support of Canada’s music awards. This will be the fourth time that Vancouver will hold the event, with previous shows taking place in 1991, 1998, and 2009, at Queen Elizabeth Theatre and GM Place respectively.

      Given the city’s strong showing in this year’s awards—with, amongst others, Vancouver-born Grimes taking the crown for Video of the Year, North Vancouver-raised Renee Rosnes for Jazz Album of the year, and city-dweller Bria Skonberg for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year—it seems an ideal location to host the 47th edition of the ceremony.

      “British Columbia is one of Canada’s leading centres for music,” says Premier Christy Clark in a press release. “With over 80 independent record labels and over 120 sound recording studios, our music sector is as diverse and vibrant as our province. The Juno Awards are an opportunity to welcome fans and artists from across the country, show support for Canada’s thriving music scene, and have a great party.”

      Mayor Gregor Robertson, too, is enthusiastic for the evening—and not least because each city that holds the event sees an average return of around $10 million.

      “I’m thrilled that Vancouver will be hosting the 2018 Juno Awards, and that we have the opportunity to showcase and celebrate homegrown Canadian talent,” he says. “We love every opportunity to share Vancouver’s thriving arts, culture and music scene, and as Mayor of the 2018 Juno Awards’ host city, I can’t wait for Vancouver to put on an incredible show and support our local music community.”

      As well as the awards ceremony itself, Vancouver will play host to the Juno Week celebrations, which includes six days of live music performances across a number of locations, offering a stage to some of the city’s best up-and-coming performers and Canada’s top international names.

      Follow Kate Wilson on Twitter @KateWilsonSays

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