The eyes of Canada's music community are focused on Ottawa this weekend in anticipation of the events around Sunday's Juno awards.
Rehearsals were held Friday at Scotiabank Place, where organizers said they're promising a high-tech spectacle down to the stage itself.
"They're going to see an enormous spectacle," said John Brunton, the show's executive producer. "It's the most complicated set we've ever built, the biggest set we've ever built, the biggest marriage between lighting and video . . ."
Emerging artists will have a chance to break out on that very stage, with a mix-tape medley performance as part of the big show.
"It's important for electronic music to be represented," said Juno nominee Anjulie. "I've never seen this done before on the Junos so I think it's really cool that they're deciding to celebrate dance music."
"I feel blessed," said nominee JRDN. "Most artists dream about this."
Across town, Blue Rodeo are anything but up-and-coming as evidenced by their induction into Canada's Music Hall of Fame on Sunday.
The City of Ottawa jumped the gun on honouring them, proclaiming Blue Rodeo Day in the capital.
Performers excited by host William Shatner
The night of April 1 may very well be owned by host William Shatner.
"I want to see if they beam him out of here or something, wouldn't that be cool?" said JRDN, real name Jordan Croucher. "Just beam him out of here and he just disappears and then he's in space."
"My dad has messaged me every single day saying ‘Make sure you meet William Shatner,' so I feel like I have to for my dad," said Anjulie. "I'm really excited to see Hedley."
There are still seats available for some parts of the arena.
The show airs Sunday at 8 p.m. on CTV.
