And they did. Among those appearing on the official orange carpet, sponsored by delivery platform Skip: rock band The Beaches (Group of the Year), singer Maddee Ritter (Adult Contemporary Album of the Year), Quebec singer-songwriter Roxane Bruneau (Album of the Year), Indigenous singer-songwriter Caleigh Cardinal (Adult Contemporary Album of the Year), photographer Vanessa Heins and RANGE Magazine’s very own creative director Erik Grice (Album Artwork of the Year)–to name a few. In particular Canadian fashion, most were seen wearing a variation of denim and leather accents. 

Of the 208 nominees, headlining winners country singer Josh Ross and pop singer Tate McRae (not present) led the nominations with five each–including Single of the Year and Album of the Year, followed by Shawn Mendes and The Weeknd who share four each, including Single of the Year.

Toronto Sceptres resident DJ Levi kept the good vibes rolling while musicians approached the large projector on the back wall, waiting patiently to snap a cheeky photo of their nomination on the big screen. “Ah I just missed it,” said an artist in all black, or perhaps their close supporter, as they prepared to wait for the photo to appear once again. 

CBC Music’s The Block host Angeline Tetteh-Wayoe enthusiastically congratulated the nominees and introduced The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences/The JUNO Awards and MusiCounts CEO Allan Reid, who gave a formidable speech on Canadianism and the importance of culture. “I could not be more proud to live in a country and get to lead an organization that champions such a diverse group of artists,” he said, acknowledging the four languages represented across the five nominees in the Album of the Year category including Inuktitut (Elisapie), French (Roxane Bruneau), and Punjabi (Sukha).

More representation is seen in the inaugural South Asian Music Recording of the Year category, including nominees AP Dhillon (also nominated for Breakthrough Artist or Group of the Year), Chani Nattan, Inderpal Moga & Jazzy B, Jonita Gandhi, Karan Aujla and Yanchan Produced & Sandeep Narayan. 

Other artists in the Breakthrough category include Alexander Stewart, AR Paisley, Chris Grey, EKKSTACY, Nemahsis, Owen Riegling, Sukha, Tony Ann, and Zeina. 

Reid expressed personal accolades to 84-year-old Juno nominee Sylvia Tyson (Traditional Roots Album of the Year) who was present and last nominated 30 years ago, as well as the 67 first-time nominees, and Special Award Recipients. Boi-1da and Sarah Harmer will be awarded with the Humanitarian Award, and Live Nation Canada chairman Ryan O’Conner will receive the Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award, which recognizes individuals who have contributed to the growth and development of the Canadian music industry at home and around the world.

Reid also honoured Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductees Sum 41, also nominated for Group of the Year, as they prepare to officially retire. Having played their final show in Toronto on January 30, the band will get together for one last encore at the Junos gala. 

Fellow Music Hall of Fame inductees Dan Hill, Ginette Rino, Glass Tiger, Loreena McKennit will then join Sum 41 at the National Music Centre in Calgary on May 15th for the official Hall of Fame Ceremony, presented by Music Canada. “They absolutely represent the best in what Canadian music has to offer,” said Reid.

First-time nominee Loony– a Canadian rhythm and blues singer from Scarborough, ON, concluded the speeches with a surprise performance, led by her 2023 track Counting Thunder. She emerged on stage in a puffer jacket, fitting for the plunging temperature outside, and bounced out of it as she danced into Show You Why.

The audience dispersed from the stage in an excited hum thereafter and continued mingling, this time breaking from their small groups to flow freely throughout the concert hall–exchanging hugs, and clinking glasses.

You can view the full list of 2025 Juno award nominations here. The winners will be revealed in Vancouver at The Juno Awards Gala presented by Music Canada and hosted by Michael Bublé on March 29 followed byThe Juno Awards Broadcast on March 30, live on CBC.