The Weeknd was the big winner at the JUNOs on Saturday night, winning Artist of the Year and three other awards.
The 33-year-old Toronto native, who did not attend the ceremony in Edmonton, also won Pop Album of the Year (for Dawn FM), Single of the Year (for “Sacrifice”) and Songwriter of the Year.
The Weeknd, this year’s top nominee, now has 21 JUNOs and could get two more during Monday’s show – he’s up for Fan Choice and Dawn FM is nominated for Album of the Year. If he wins one, he will take over Bryan Adams’s spot as the artist with the second-most JUNO wins and nudge closer to breaking Anne Murray’s record of 25.
Hamilton’s Arkells were named Group of the Year for the third consecutive year and the sixth time since 2012. The JUNO for Adult Alternative Album went to Toronto’s Sadies for Colder Streams.
Other winners include Tenille Townes’ Masquerades (Country Album of the Year), Higher by Michael Bublé (Adult Contemporary Album of the Year), VOIVOD’s Synchro Anarchy (Metal/Hard Music Album of the Year), Otherness by Alexisonfire (Rock Album of the Year), “Twin Flame” by KAYTRANADA and Anderson .Paak (Rap Single of the Year) and Harry’s House by Harry Styles (International Album of the Year).
Rêve’s “CTRL + ALT + DEL” was named Dance Recording of the Year, marking the third year in a row that an artist from Montreal has won the category (KAYTRANADA took it in 2021 and 2022).
Rêve was also one of 16 first-time JUNO winners on Saturday. Others included Banx & Ranx (Breakthrough Group of the Year) and Dylan Sinclair, who is featured on Savannah Ré’s “Last One” (Traditional R&B/Soul Recording of the Year).
Toronto director Floria Sigismondi earned Music Video of the Year for “Unholy” by Sam Smith and Kim Petras.