Music News
The JUNO Awards Return To Vancouver In 2025
Ahead of the upcoming 2024 JUNO Awards in Halifax, the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) announced today The JUNO Awards are making their way back to Vancouver in 2025, marking the fifth time the West Coast metropolis has hosted Canada’s Biggest Night in Music. The city will honour the nation’s top musical talent once again with 2025 JUNO Week being hosted in Vancouver, BC from Wednesday, March 26 to Sunday, March 30, culminating with the 54th Annual JUNO Awards broadcast, airing live on CBC and CBC Gem from Rogers Arena.
The 2025 edition of JUNO Week returns with the support of the Province of British Columbia, Destination Vancouver, City of Vancouver, Downtown Van, Creative BC, Music BC and the 2025 Host Committee. With more than 80 independent record labels and over 120 sound recording studios, the scenic city’s music arena is as diverse and vibrant as the province itself. The JUNO Awards were last in Vancouver when global icon Michael Bublé hosted the show in his hometown in 2018. For first access to JUNO Awards Broadcast ticket on-sale information and updates, sign up at junoawards.ca/vancouver.
“Vancouver and the Province of BC are internationally recognized for its stunning scenery, but also for its incredible devotion to the arts,” says Allan Reid, President & CEO, of CARAS/ The JUNO Awards. “The 2018 JUNOS were an incredible experience with some of the most memorable performances in our history. We are so excited to return to the West Coast for another spectacular JUNOS in 2025 and to shine a spotlight on Vancouver’s status as a world-class music destination.“
“B.C. is a hotbed for emerging talent. From modern South Asian sounds, a thriving electronic music scene, to a strong Hip-Hop community, the music industry across B.C. is diverse,” expressed Nate Sabine, Vancouver JUNO Host Committee Co-Chair & President of Music BC. “Our goal is to continuously create opportunity and drive support for a burgeoning music ecosystem. A great example of that work is our stewardship of Let’s Hear It, a 2018 Vancouver JUNOS legacy brand. I take great pride in the fact that to date, the program has highlighted over 75 artists, and that this work will continue well past 2025.”
“British Columbia is one of Canada’s leading centres for music. Hosting the 2025 JUNO Awards in Vancouver is an excellent opportunity to showcase our province’s remarkable music scene and the incredible talent of our artists, said Lana Popham, British Columbia’s Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. “We are excited to welcome fans and artists from across the country to Vancouver in 2025, offering them an unforgettable experience with our world-class hospitality and amazing tourist attractions.”
Captivating visitors from around the globe, British Columbia is a meeting place for travellers seeking to experience its unbelievable outdoor lifestyle, breathtaking views and Indigenous culture. A prized entertainment market with a thriving local music scene, the city attracts legendary artists to perform at its iconic music venues including the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Orpheum Theatre, Commodore Ballroom, Rogers Arena and more. There is a remarkable breadth of artists who hail from Vancouver and British Columbia including award-winning producer Bob Rock and David Foster, Mother Mother, Michael Bublé, Sarah McLachlan, AP Dhillon, and Lauren Spencer Smith.
“We are excited to welcome The JUNO Awards in Vancouver! Beyond celebrating the incredible talent in the Canadian music industry, we take pride in the rich diversity and culture that makes our city truly exceptional. We are going to make the 2025 JUNOs experience the best one yet, blending unity, culture, and lasting memories for all,” expressed Ken Sim, Mayor of Vancouver.
JUNOS has been touring Canada for over 20 years, generating an average economic impact of $12 million for the host city, becoming an engine for the economy.
The JUNO Awards have ventured across Canada from coast to coast starting in St. John’s in 2002 (and again in 2010), followed by Ottawa (2003, 2012 and 2017), Edmonton (2004, 2023), Winnipeg (2005 and 2014), Halifax (2006), Saskatoon (2007), Calgary (2008 and 2016), Vancouver (2009 and 2018), Toronto (2011, 2021 and 2022), Regina (2013), and Hamilton (2015).
The 53rd Annual JUNO Awards and 2024 JUNO Week is being hosted in Halifax, NS from Wednesday, March 20 to Sunday, March 24, 2024, closing with The JUNO Awards Broadcast. Nelly Furtado returns as host with the show broadcasting and streaming from Halifax’s Scotiabank Centre, live across the country at 8 p.m. ET/9 p.m. AT on CBC TV, CBC Gem, CBC Radio One, CBC Music, CBC Listen, and globally at CBCMusic.ca/junos and CBC Music’s YouTube page. Tickets are still available through Ticketmaster.
Music News
The Smashing Pumpkins Announce Massive ‘The Rats In A Cage Tour’ Celebrating Mellon Collie Anniversary
The Smashing Pumpkins are heading back on the road this fall with a tour built around one of the defining rock albums of the 1990s. The band officially announced “The Rats In A Cage Tour,” a North American arena run celebrating the 30th anniversary of Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness.
The tour kicks off Sept. 30 in Columbus, Ohio and runs through November, with stops across the United States and Canada, including a Vancouver date in November. The tour’s name comes from the famous lyric in “Bullet With Butterfly Wings,” one of the biggest singles from the landmark double album.
Frontman Billy Corgan said the band has talked about doing a Mellon Collie-focused production for years, but wanted to wait until the timing and concept felt right. This time around, fans are getting something much bigger than a standard anniversary tour.
Each show will feature two separate sets. The first is dedicated entirely to Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness in what the band describes as a theatrical presentation of the album’s music and themes. The second set will pull from nearly four decades of material, mixing major hits, fan favorites, and deeper cuts from albums spanning Gish through 2024’s Aghori Mhori Mei.
The 1995 album remains one of the biggest alternative rock releases of its era. Songs like “1979,” “Tonight, Tonight,” and “Bullet With Butterfly Wings” helped turn the band into arena headliners and defined alternative radio for a generation of fans who suddenly realized that album is now 30 years old. Time is rude sometimes.
The announcement follows a busy stretch for the band and for Corgan himself. Over the past two years, the Pumpkins have revisited Mellon Collie through deluxe reissues, orchestral reinterpretations with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, and special live performances. Corgan has even been taking the material overseas with orchestral theater shows backed by a 60-piece orchestra.
Before the arena tour begins, the Pumpkins will return to Lollapalooza this summer for the first time since the festival’s touring era in 1994, marking a major hometown moment for the Chicago band.
Tickets for “The Rats In A Cage Tour” go on sale May 21 at 10 a.m. local time through the band’s official website. Citi and Verizon presales begin May 19, while members of the band’s VIZ CLUB fan community will get access to a special presale on May 20. More information here.
The band will offer VIP packages featuring a pre-show acoustic performance, Q&A session, exclusive merchandise, memorabilia, lounge access, and early merch shopping.
With no opening acts announced so far and two full sets planned each night, the tour is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious live productions the band has attempted in years.
THE SMASHING PUMPKINS “The Rats In A Cage Tour”:
Sep. 30 – Columbus, OH @ The Schottenstein Center
Oct. 02 – Boston, MA @ TD Garden
Oct. 03 – Baltimore, MD @ CFG Bank Arena
Oct. 04 – Brooklyn, NY @ Barclays Center
Oct. 06 – Pittsburgh, PA @ PPG Paints Arena
Oct. 07 – Hamilton, ON @ TD Coliseum
Oct. 09 – Montréal, QC @ Centre Bell
Oct. 11 – Madison, WI @ Kohl Center
Oct. 13 – Saint Paul, MN @ Grand Casino Arena
Oct. 14 – Chicago, IL @ United Center
Oct. 16 – Charlotte, NC @ Spectrum Center
Oct. 17 – Jacksonville, FL @ VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena
Oct. 18 – Tampa, FL @ Benchmark International Arena
Oct. 20 – Indianapolis, IN @ Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Oct. 22 – Nashville, TN @ The Truth
Oct. 24 – Oklahoma City, OK @ Paycom Center
Oct. 25 – Austin, TX @ Moody Center
Oct. 27 – Denver, CO @ Ball Arena
Oct. 29 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Delta Center
Oct. 30 – Las Vegas, NV @ MGM Grand Garden Arena
Nov. 01 – Portland, OR @ Moda Center
Nov. 03 – Calgary, AB @ Scotiabank Saddledome
Nov. 05 – Vancouver, BC @ Rogers Arena
Nov. 06 – Seattle, WA @ Climate Pledge Arena
Nov. 08 – San Jose, CA @ SAP Center
Nov. 11 – Phoenix, AZ @ Mortgage Matchup Center
Nov. 12 – Inglewood, CA @ Kia Forum
Music News
Chance the Rapper Announces the ‘Coloring Book 10 Year Anniversary Tour’
Independent GRAMMY Award-winning artist, Chance The Rapper has announced The Coloring Book 10 Year Anniversary Tour, a North American run celebrating the 10th anniversary of his groundbreaking mixtape Coloring Book.
Promoted by Live Nation, The Coloring Book 10 Year Anniversary Tour kicks off Tuesday, Aug. 11 in Cleveland, Ohio at House of Blues, making stops across North America in Montreal, Toronto, New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Nashville, Dallas, Houston, Phoenix, San Francisco, Seattle, Denver and more before wrapping up Sunday, Oct. 11 in Pittsburgh, Pa. at Citizens Live at The Wylie.
Released in May 2016, Coloring Book marked a defining moment in Chance the Rapper’s career and a breakthrough for independent music at large. With Coloring Book, Chance The Rapper was the first independent artist to win a GRAMMY® Award, the critically acclaimed mixtape reshaped perceptions around streaming, artist independence and the evolving music landscape. Blending gospel, hip-hop and soulful live instrumentation, Coloring Bookdelivered an uplifting, community-driven sound that resonated across audiences and featured standout collaborations with Kanye West, Justin Bieber, Kirk Franklin, Lil Wayne, 2 Chainz, T-Pain and Saba. Created alongside longtime collaborators Nico Segal, Peter Cottontale and The Social Experiment, with additional production from Kaytranada, Brasstracks and Francis and the Lights. The project received widespread acclaim from critics and fans alike, with Rolling Stone hailing it a “gospel-rap masterpiece,” and The New York Times recognizing Chance as “a crusader and a pop savant.” Complex solidified its historical significance, calling it “a defining moment for independent artists” cementing its place as one of the most influential releases of its era.
TICKETS: Tickets will be available starting with an artist presale (details below) beginning on Tuesday, May 19 at 10am local time. Additional presales will run throughout that week leading up to the general on-sale on Thursday, May 21 at 10am local time at ChanceStuff.com.
ARTIST PRESALE: To participate in the Chance The Rapper Artist Presale on Tuesday, May 19 at 10am local time you must sign up at livemu.sc/chancetherapper by Sunday, May 17 at 11:59pm PT. For shows using Ticketmaster, no codes are needed – access is tied to your account, and anyone who signs up can join the sale. For the few shows that are not Ticketmaster venues, a code will be provided before the pre-sale begins.
VIP: The tour will also offer a variety of different VIP packages and experiences for fans to take their concert experience to the next level. Packages vary but include premium tickets, Meet & Greet and individual photo with Chance the Rapper, pre-signed autographed poster, specially designed gift item & more. VIP package contents vary based on the offer selected. For more information, visit vipnation.com!
THE COLORING BOOK 10 TOUR DATES:
Tue, Aug. 11 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues
Fri, Aug. 14 – Waterloo, NY – The Vine Showroom at del Lago Resort & Casino
Sat, Aug. 15 – Montreal, QC – MTELUS
Sun, Aug. 16 – Toronto, ON – HISTORY
Tue, Aug. 18 – New York, NY – SummerStage Central Park
Thu, Aug. 20 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway
Fri, Aug. 21 – Huntington, NY – The Paramount
Sat, Aug. 22 – Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore Philadelphia
Sun, Aug. 23 – Asbury Park, NJ – Stone Pony Summer Stage
Tue, Aug. 25 – Baltimore, MD – Nevermore Hall
Sat, Aug. 29 – Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheater
Sun, Aug. 30 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium
Tue, Sept. 1 – Birmingham, AL – Avondale Brewing Company
Wed, Sept. 2 – Cincinnati, OH – The Andrew J Brady Music Center
Thu, Sept. 3 – Atlanta, GA – Coca-Cola Roxy
Sat, Sept. 5 – Tampa, FL – The Ritz Ybor
Sun, Sept. 6 – Hollywood, FL – Hard Rock Live
Tue, Sept. 8 – Memphis, TN – Satellite Music Hall
Wed, Sept. 9 – New Orleans, LA – The Fillmore New Orleans
Thu, Sept. 10 – Dallas, TX – South Side Ballroom
Sat, Sept. 12 – Houston, TX – 713 Music Hall
Sun, Sept. 13 – Austin, TX – Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park
Wed, Sept. 16 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre
Fri, Sep 18 – Reno, NV – Grand Theatre at The Grand Sierra Resort
Mon, Sept. 21 – Wheatland, CA – Hard Rock Live
Tue, Sept. 22 – San Francisco, CA – The Masonic
Fri, Sept. 25 – Vancouver, BC – Freedom Mobile Arch
Sat, Sept. 26 – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theatre
Sun, Sept. 27 – Portland, OR – Theater of the Clouds
Tue, Sept. 29 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Union Event Center
Thu, Oct. 1 – Denver, CO – Fillmore Auditorium
Fri, Oct. 2 – Council Bluffs, IA – Harrah’s Stir Cove
Sun, Oct. 4 – Milwaukee, WI – Landmark Credit Union Live
Tue, Oct. 6 – Minneapolis, MN – The Armory
Wed, Oct. 7 – St. Louis, MO – The Pageant
Sat, Oct. 10 – Louisville, KY – Old Forester’s Paristown Hall
Sun, Oct. 11 – Pittsburgh, PA – Citizens Live at The Wylie