We’re approaching the top of awards season, the time of 12 months when the assorted leisure industries attempt to squeeze a bit of extra juice out of the whole lot that was launched over the earlier 12 months. The Junos are just about final on the agenda.
Being subsequent door to the most important exporter of fashionable tradition within the identified universe, it’s pure to match our Junos to the Grammy Awards, most likely the best-known of all of the music awards packages.
So, which is best? Let’s dive in.
Staging the occasion
The Grammys are cemented to being in Los Angeles attributable to numerous logistical points. The venue is small and is stuffed largely with artists and music trade varieties. The Junos, then again, are a travelling roadshow, providing cities throughout the nation to reap the monetary advantages of Juno week and to showcase the assorted music scenes this nation has to supply. And as a result of Juno venues are usually arenas, there may be much more room for followers to become involved.
Advantage: Junos
The TV broadcast
Let’s be sincere: Watching the Grammys is a slog, I fell asleep on the sofa lengthy earlier than this 12 months’s broadcast wrapped up. On the opposite hand, the Junos broadcast is often very tight with six or seven main award displays together with a wide range of performances. We’re performed in round two hours. Perfect.
Advantage: Junos
Credibility
The Grammys have none. What are you able to say about a company that refused to provide The Beatles their due? They gave Christopher Cross’ sappy debut report a boatload of Grammys whereas utterly ignoring The Wall by Pink Floyd.
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And who can neglect Jethro Tull successful Best Heavy Metal Record, beating out Metallica and their Black Album? How can Beyoncé be nominated for Rock Single of the Year?
I’m certain the Junos have had some clunkers through the years, particularly within the ’70s and ’80s once they acquired it so improper with classes like Most Promising Group (Whiter Cats Can Fly? Anyone?) These egregiously out-of-touch picks have largely been eradicated.
Advantage: Junos
Voting
Because successful a Grammy is utilized in advertising and marketing and PR campaigns, report labels and managers are eager to have their artists win. The result’s that there’s lots of lobbying and arm-twisting that goes on behind the scenes. Sometimes this ends in undeserving winners.
I’m a member of CARAS (Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences) and thus referred to as as much as vote for the Junos in a wide range of classes. In the 20-plus years I’ve been doing this, nobody has ever tried to twist my arm. That’s simply my expertise, however I’ve by no means noticed anybody being pushed/bullied into voting in a specific approach with the Junos.
Advantage: Junos
The status issue
The Grammys are the best-known of all of the music awards packages, but I preserve listening to from trade insiders that successful a Grammy isn’t an enormous deal.
Why? Because of behind-the-scenes politics, their lack of credibility, and an ossified operational construction, Grammy winners are usually underwhelmed by the honour. I’ve heard so many tales about Grammys behind displayed in loos and used as doorsteps. I don’t hear the identical factor from Juno winners. They appear to be genuinely honoured that they received. Winning a Juno might carry extra gravitas than successful a Grammy.
Advantage: Junos
The fan issue
If the Junos have ever been held in your metropolis, you’ll comprehend it’s a week-long celebration with countless Juno-related occasions open to the general public. These occasions usually obtain optimistic media protection and do make the Junos really feel like a fan-centric occasion. The Grammys have their very own events and fan occasions, too, however as a result of the whole lot is at all times in Los Angeles, protection of fan participation is non-existent.
Advantage: Junos
The rock issue
Both the Grammy and Junos TV broadcasts are designed to be mass enchantment primetime occasions, which is why we find yourself with essentially the most mainstream awards and artists being televised. Rock has been excised from the Grammys for years. None of the rock-related awards make the telecast.
The Junos, then again, do attempt to combine it up. This 12 months, for instance, Sum 41 shall be honoured for his or her a long time of service and can carry out yet one more time. That’s not less than one thing — extra rock than the Grammys provided this 12 months.
Advantage: Junos
The host
Trevor Noah is a nice host and was about the perfect factor about this 12 months’s Grammy Awards. The Junos have instituted an attention-grabbing coverage of hosts that convey selection to this system. The record consists of Shania Twain, Alanis Morissette, Brent Butt, Pamela Anderson, Russell Peters, William Shatner, Simu Liu, Drake, and The Barenaked Ladies. Michael Bublé, considered one of Canada’s most likable stars, has hosted twice.
Advantage: Junos
The pleasure issue
The Grammys are simply one other late-winter awards program. The Junos are about Canadian music. And given the rise in nationalistic pleasure we’ve seen during the last 70 days or so, guess which nation has extra pleasure of their music awards program?
Advantage: Junos
From my perspective, the Junos win this showdown in a clear sweep. Are they excellent? No, as a result of there’s at all times room for enchancment. But if I had to decide on which occasion to attend/watch, it’s a non-brainer. And it has been for years.
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