Calgary Junos after-party becomes epic celebration of Canadian music

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This article was published 04/04/2016 (3503 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

CALGARY – Hours after Sunday’s Juno Awards wrapped, some of Canada’s most celebrated musicians were putting on their own impromptu show in a local bar’s basement.

Both Juno nominees and music veterans jumped on stage at the Warner Music Canada after-party for what quickly became a professional karaoke of sorts that couldn’t even be sidelined by a flood on the dance floor.

“I think we legit overpowered our monitors,” country singer Brett Kissel proclaimed late in the evening at the Palomino Smokehouse in downtown Calgary. “That’s how much fun we’re having out here.”

Warner’s annual invite-only Juno party has become an essential stop for many artists, record label employees and their friends because of its sheer unpredictability.

Among the performers who played throughout the night were mainstays of the Canadian music scene like Blue Rodeo’s Jim Cuddy and his son Devin.

Tom Cochrane unexpectedly showed up to charge through some of his trademark hits, starting with “Big League” and “Life is a Highway” — sans harmonica — for an exuberant crowd who sang along.

Broken Social Scene’s Kevin Drew then emerged from the crowd to join Cochrane for a rendition of “Boy Inside the Man.”

His show came shortly after the basement dishwasher began pouring water onto the floor, briefly pushing the audience against the walls to avoid sopping their shoes.

The bar’s staff quickly pulled out mops and cleaned up the space so the show could go on.

Great Big Sea frontman Alan Doyle started his set with “Rock Around the Clock” before taking on a few other old favourites.

But it was pop singer Francesco Yates and newcomer Scott Helman who were the powerhouse pair of the night, returning to the stage several times to play classic rock staples.

First they paid tribute to Jimi Hendrix’s “Purple Haze” with a stage drenched in an appropriate lighting hue.

But as the party stretched past 2 a.m. Yates and Helman’s performances became even more extraordinary.

Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” was next for the duo as Yates reached octaves beyond Kurt Cobain’s range.

Moments later country singer Kissel pulled both Yates and Helman back on stage for an energetic version of “Proud Mary,” which he told the audience would be more in vein of Tina Turner than the original John Fogerty version.

Toronto-born superstar the Weeknd dominated the Junos on the weekend, snagging five awards, including album of the year. Pop newcomer Alessia Cara won breakthrough artist of the year after opening Sunday’s show with her hit “Here” and new single “Wild Things.” Justin Bieber, who did not attend the awards, claimed the fan’s choice award and also won pop album of the year for “Purpose.”

Former Guess Who frontman Burton Cummings received a long standing ovation as he was honoured with an induction into the Canadian Hall of Fame for his solo work.

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