Road to the Junos returns with a slate of local Vancouver talent
Watch 11 full concerts from artists including Ayla Tesler-Mabé, Caley Watts and IAmTheLiving
The 54th Juno Awards are taking place in Vancouver this year, and CBC Music is back with a broadcast concert series featuring local talent, all leading up to the big night on March 30.
Road to the Junos is a five-night performance series dedicated to showcasing emerging musicians from the Vancouver area, and it took place from Jan. 26-30, 2025.
You can watch all 11 performances below. They will also be broadcast on radio via CBC Music, and on CBC Listen, at 6 p.m. local time every evening starting Monday, March 24, through Friday, March 29. The videos will all be available on CBC Gem as of March 29.
Ayla Tesler-Mabé brings guitar expertise to the Pearl stage
Gifted guitarist and singer-songwriter Ayla Tesler-Mabé and her band brought a highly engaging set of originals to the Pearl's stage. With themes ranging from finding refuge from the news cycle to showing love to close friends with a summer-themed banger, Tesler-Mabé showed how to make music her way. Band members for her set include Alvin Brendan, Yamil Chain Haddad, Yato Noukoussi and Myles Philpott.
Art d'Ecco charms with his Demon Band
Much of the music for Art d'Ecco and his Demon Band's set was brand new material from his fourth album, Serene Demon. With bandmates bringing diverse sonic colours ranging from analog synths to rototoms to alto saxophone, Art d'Ecco gave us a masterclass on how to put on a live show full of swagger, devilish humour and infectious songwriting. Demon Band members include: Evan Miller, Kyler Young, Rachel Ashmore, Hayden Cohen, Pascal Le Vasseur, Jeff Mitchelmore and Malcolm Holt.and Malcolm Holt.
Locarno lights the stage with folkloric fireworks
It is hard to stand still listening to the music of Locarno. The capacity crowd at the Pearl roared after each solo and song, during a set that featured folkloric fireworks on the traditional Mexican jarana jarocha, a small double-strung guitar with a bright, upbeat presence. Marimba, violin and percussion round out the sound with thrilling vocals and harmonies. Band leader Landa is joined onstage by Kalissa Landa, Pedro Mota, Jocelyn Waugh, Nick La Riviere, Robin Layne, Jean-Sebastien Le Doujet and Liam MacDonald support Landa onstage.
Empanadas Ilegales captivate with Colombian cumbia
When Empanadas Ilegales hits the stage with their pan-Latin sound, the Pearl audience is ready to party. Specializing in cumbia, a style of music that originated in Columbia, the band lets the music flow effortlessly and almost entirely without any words. Empanadas Ilegales members include Ricardo Perez, Jaime Millan, Jocelyn Waugh, Andrea Milagros, Daniel Hernandez, Sangito Bigelow and Daniel Ruiz.
Float away with a set inspired by water from Caley Watts
Caley Watts is a singer-songwriter and member of the Saddle Creek Cree Nation who is an adopted member of the Nuxalk Nation on the remote west coast of B.C. She brings to the stage her newest work, which powerfully resonates with the beauty of the Great Bear Rainforest, a temperate rainforest on the Pacific Coast of B.C. "This is my place and I always want to be here," Watts says before performing River's Daughter, which is about her life on the river. Musicians Scott Smith, James Meger and Kenton Loewen join Watts onstage.
Dakota Bear delivers incisive bars about building a better life
Dakota Bear moved to Vancouver at 19 years old to pursue music, and doesn't hold back in his songwriting and spoken word when it comes to advocating for decolonization and the rights of the oppressed. Originally from Saskatoon, the hip-hop artist from Treaty 6 Territory brings a unique blend of artistry and activism to his music. During his set, Dakota Bear shares that drugs and alcohol had a devastating effect on his community, and dedicates his music to "a path of medicine" as he breaks into the song Intergenerational. His lyrics urge transformation: "I look into the mirror and say I am not your enemy."
Garret T. Willie tears up the stage
Garret T. Willie brings all the swagger you would expect from this young blues rocker who has been igniting stages across the continent with his fiery and powerful guitar playing and singing. Armed with six strings, a Marshall amp and a deep voice that belies his 24 years, Willie and his band tear up the stage at his opening night show at the Pearl in Vancouver. "You're allowed to have fun," he says while performing songs including Love Hangover and Hypnotist. Willie's joined onstage by Quinn Colpman, Adam Baines and Mike Battle.
Bukola blossoms with a blend of genres
Bukola is a Nigerian Canadian artist who masterfully blends jazz, soul and R&B to bring soulful melodies to her work. This performance, recorded just a few days before the release of her latest EP, showcases her velvety voice and richly detailed guitar playing. She's joined by band members Scott Verbeek, Gabriel Regehr, Francis Naluz and Chris Couto.
Sadé Awele blows away the audience with an evening of storytelling
Sadé Awele combines her lyrical prowess and powerful vocals with a unique R&B-meets-Afropop sound. The Nigerian-born singer is joined by a firecracker band, including Suin Park, Alvin Brendan, Thad Bailey-Mai, Linaldo Sans, Myles Bigelow and Rennan Azevedo. Their infectious rhythm gets the whole nightclub moving.
Hayley Wallis hypes the crowd with her unique voice
With her spectacular voice and friendly stage vibe, Hayley Wallis proves that she is a young artist to watch right now. Hailing from the small island community of Klemtu in B.C.'s coastal Kitasoo Xai'xais Nation, Wallis's gifts as a performer were noticed early in her life. As a young artist now living in Vancouver, she is steadily collecting new fans. Wallis is joined by band members Stephanie Anne Jackson, Tim Charman and Brennan Buglioni.
IAmTheLiving thrills with dancing and duets
British Canadian singer-songwriter Rian Peters, a.k.a. IAmTheLiving, brings a full package of catchy tunes, great vocals and thrilling dance moves to the Pearl's stage. Peters says he grew up on love songs, and invites fellow Vancouver artist Kitt onstage for a beautiful duet of Love So Divine. The Juno Award nominee performs with band members Anthony Anderson, Matt Storm, Max Zipursky, Darren Parris, Trent Otter and Myles Bigelow.
Host Michael Bublé is bringing the party to the 2025 Juno Awards on Sunday, March 30, at 8 p.m ET. Tune in on CBC-TV, CBC Gem, CBC Radio One, CBC Music and CBC Listen, and stream globally on cbcmusic.ca/junos.
