We’re approaching the tip of awards season, the time of yr when the assorted leisure industries attempt to squeeze a bit of extra juice out of every thing 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 well-liked tradition within the identified universe, it’s pure to check our Junos to the Grammy Awards, most likely the best-known of all of the music awards applications.
So, which is best? Let’s dive in.
Staging the occasion
The Grammys are cemented to being in Los Angeles as a consequence of a lot of logistical points. The venue is small and is stuffed largely with artists and music trade varieties. The Junos, alternatively, 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 since Juno venues are typically arenas, there may be much more room for followers to become involved.
Benefit: Junos
The TV broadcast
Let’s be sincere: Watching the Grammys is a slog, I fell asleep on the sofa lengthy earlier than this yr’s broadcast wrapped up. Then again, the Junos broadcast is normally very tight with six or seven main award displays together with a wide range of performances. We’re accomplished in round two hours. Good.
Benefit: Junos
Credibility
The Grammys have none. What are you able to say about a corporation that refused to present The Beatles their due? They gave Christopher Cross’ sappy debut report a boatload of Grammys whereas fully ignoring The Wall by Pink Floyd.
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And who can overlook Jethro Tull profitable Greatest Heavy Steel Report, beating out Metallica and their Black Album? How can Beyoncé be nominated for Rock Single of the 12 months?
I’m positive the Junos have had some clunkers over time, particularly within the ’70s and ’80s once they received it so unsuitable with classes like Most Promising Group (Whiter Cats Can Fly? Anybody?) These egregiously out-of-touch picks have largely been eradicated.
Benefit: Junos
Voting
As a result of profitable a Grammy is utilized in advertising 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. Typically this ends in undeserving winners.
I’m a member of CARAS (Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences) and thus known as as much as vote for the Junos in a wide range of classes. Within 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 selected method with the Junos.
Benefit: Junos
The status issue
The Grammys are the best-known of all of the music awards applications, but I preserve listening to from trade insiders that profitable a Grammy isn’t a giant deal.
Why? Due to behind-the-scenes politics, their lack of credibility, and an ossified operational construction, Grammy winners are typically 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 gained. Profitable a Juno might carry extra gravitas than profitable a Grammy.
Benefit: Junos
The fan issue
If the Junos have ever been held in your metropolis, you’ll realize it’s a week-long celebration with countless Juno-related occasions open to the general public. These occasions usually obtain constructive 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 every thing is all the time in Los Angeles, protection of fan participation is non-existent.
Benefit: Junos
The rock issue
Each the Grammy and Junos TV broadcasts are designed to be mass attraction primetime occasions, which is why we find yourself with probably the most mainstream awards and artists being televised. Rock has been excised from the Grammys for years. Not one of the rock-related awards make the telecast.
The Junos, alternatively, do attempt to combine it up. This yr, for instance, Sum 41 might be honoured for his or her many years of service and can carry out another time. That’s not less than one thing — extra rock than the Grammys supplied this yr.
Benefit: Junos
The host
Trevor Noah is a advantageous host and was about the perfect factor about this yr’s Grammy Awards. The Junos have instituted an attention-grabbing coverage of hosts that deliver selection to this system. The checklist contains Shania Twain, Alanis Morissette, Brent Butt, Pamela Anderson, Russell Peters, William Shatner, Simu Liu, Drake, and The Barenaked Women. Michael Bublé, certainly one of Canada’s most likable stars, has hosted twice.
Benefit: Junos
The satisfaction issue
The Grammys are simply one other late-winter awards program. The Junos are about Canadian music. And given the rise in nationalistic satisfaction we’ve seen during the last 70 days or so, guess which nation has extra satisfaction of their music awards program?
Benefit: Junos
From my perspective, the Junos win this showdown in a clear sweep. Are they excellent? No, as a result of there’s all the time room for enchancment. But when 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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