Junos coming back to Copps

There is big news tonight for the Hamilton music scene: it’s been confirmed that the city will host the 2015 Juno awards at Copps Coliseum.

For Hamilton’s Monster Truck, last year’s Juno Awards was one to remember. They had just been there for a good time, so winning breakthrough artist of the year came as a surprise.

Guitar player Jeremy Widerman is excited to have the festival come here. “It was great news for Hamilton, and great news for musicians in Hamilton too.”

The Junos are a week-long celebration. And with bands like Monster Truck and Arkells calling this home, the lineup should be strong.
Max Kerman of the Arkells says “I think the thing I’m most excited about is that all the local clubs are gonna get lots of shows.” Kerman says that this is a chance to showcase 600 musical acts that Hamilton calls its own, and to host the nation.

“I’m sure we’ll have some musicians sleeping on my couch, I think it’s an open offer.”

There is a rich history for the Junos here. 2015 marks the 20th anniversary of the Junos arrival in Hamilton, and the first time it was staged in an arena: Copps Coliseum. The format has stuck and been used by others.

John-Paul Gauthier of notes “the Grammys followed suit the following year. I think their testing ground was Hamilton and Copps Coliseum.”

The show hasn’t been here since 2001, but this combined with the Pan Am games has mayor Bob Bratina calling 2015 a blockbuster year for Hamilton.

“It’s fun to be able to tell people about that, have them discover it, and in this case, respond with the Junos as they have.”

Image: Frame grab of 1995 Junos (CBC)

Editor’s note: The text and the video of this story was revised to correct the spelling of Mr Gauthier’s last name; the video was also revised to correct the pronunciation of Mr Widerman’s last name. An errant line was also excised from the text.