Kiesza, Shawn Mendes, MAGIC! and Hedley to play 2015 Juno awards

EDM-pop starlet Kiesza, surging 16-year-old success story Shawn Mendes, rock-reggae collective MAGIC! and award-show stalwarts Hedley will all play the 2015 Juno awards, organizers announced Tuesday.

At the announcement, held at Hamilton’s esteemed Catharine North studios, organizers also teased a host of other events planned for when the Junos hit Hamilton in March of 2015.

“We could not be more excited to be back here in 2015,” said Allan Reid, president and CEO of the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS), the Juno Awards and MusiCounts.

“This community has just got such a storied musical history – from Daniel Lanois to Teenage head, new bands like the Arkells and Monster Truck, it’s a great community.”

It was a big deal 14 years ago, and there’s a lot that has happened since both in the music scene and in Hamilton, and I think that’s a reflection of why they’re coming back to Hamilton.- Fred Eisenberger, Mayor

“There’s an amazing rebirth happening right now in Hamilton too – you see it in the arts and culture sectors.”

Tim Potocic, chair of the Juno Host Committee, announced that James Street North in downtown Hamilton will converted in the city’s “Juno zone” for the festival, including a street party event. Potocic has lots of experience with street festivals in the city, as the head of the hugely successful Supercrawl festival.

Potocic took to the mic at Tuesday’s press conference with honest enthusiasm, proclaiming that the Junos are going to be “f-----g amazing.”

"Our music scene is unbelievable,” he said. “I believe it’s unparalleled in Canada."

Organizers also announced the festival’s “Turn It On” songwriting contest, where Hamilton musicians are invited to submit an original song for a chance to win prizes and a chance to be featured at Juno events throughout the week of the awards show.

The deadline for submissions is Feb. 18 2015. More information will be posted on the city’s website.

Other events announced Tuesday include:

• The Juno Cup hockey game at the Dave Andreychuk Mountain Arena
• Juno Fan Fare autograph signing at Lime Ridge Mall
• The Juno Songwriters’ Circle at Hamilton Place
• Junofest at over 15 venues across Hamilton to showcase local, national, and Juno-nominated acts

Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger said the Junos’ long-term legacy will be helping to strengthen they city’s art scene.

“It was a big deal 14 years ago, and there’s a lot that has happened since both in the music scene and in Hamilton, and I think that’s a reflection of why they’re coming back to Hamilton,” he said.

Tickets for the 2015 Juno awards go on sale Friday, Dec. 5. They range from $39 to $149 and can be purchased at FirstOntario Centre, by phone at 1-855-872-5000 and online at Ticketmaster.ca.