2005 Juno Awards

photos by Dan Neil

The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences' 34th annual Juno Awards in Winnipeg was a three-day celebration that could only be compared to Austin’s SXSW Music Conference.

Every venue in the city was host to a collective of over a hundred different artists from across the country. Armed with $25 Juno Fest wristbands, music enthusiasts had a heyday hopping around town from show to show.

Soulful rock revivalism, infused with a manic rockabilly twang was dished out by acts such as mop-topped trio James McKenty and The Spades, retro-country rockers Matt Mays and El Torpedo, and Saskatchewan’s young but impressive Kyle Riabko.

Winner of Junos for both Alternative Album and Best New Artist, Leslie Feist was adored for her Ani Difranco-ish voice and the simple guitar playing her crafty soundman looped into a sultry, boppy jazz. Julie Doiron came from the East Coast and played beautifully haunting songs melding Nick Drake with French folk music.

Winnipeg’s own firmly established music scene was well represented by the likes of The Waking Eyes, The Duhks, The Wailin' Jennys and Nathan. The D. Rangers played their beloved “mutant” bluegrass.

The Juno Award show capped the weekend. Ex-Winnipegger Neil Young was to perform for the telecast, but had to cancel due to his brain aneurism scare. K.D. Lang paid tribute to the music legend, singing his song “Helpless” backed by the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. The Tragically Hip were inducted as the youngest musicians ever into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame—a feat they celebrated at the awards with a full blown “stream of consciousness” rock out session. The grand finale was led by Winnipeg legends randy Bachman and Burton Cummings of The Guess Who, playing Bachman Turner Overdrive’s “Taking Care of Business.”

(Photo at top [L-R]: The Waking Eyes rock the Juno Awards Show, Leslie Feist shows off her Best Alternative Album Juno)

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