Billy Talent, Dallas Smith and July Talk confirmed as performers for THE 2017 JUNO AWARDS

CTV and The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) announced today that punk-rockers Billy Talent, platinum-selling country star Dallas Smith and indie quintet July Talk are confirmed to perform on THE 2017 JUNO AWARDS broadcast.

These artists join previously announced performers, alt-rockers Arkells, electronic group A Tribe Called Red, 2016 JUNO Award winner Alessia Cara, contemporary storyteller Ruth B, Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee Sarah McLachlan, multi-platinum singer-songwriter Shawn Mendes, and alt-folk indie group The Strumbellas.

With 10 of Canada’s biggest music acts now descending on Ottawa for THE 2017 JUNO AWARDS, and with additional performer and presenter announcements still to be made, CTV and CARAS confirmed today the broadcast will expand to two-and-a-half hours for the first time in five years. This announcement also comes on the heels of THE 2016 JUNO AWARDS winning the Canadian Screen Award for Best Music Program or Series last week.

Co-hosted by iconic rocker Bryan Adams and megastar comedian Russell Peters, Canada’s most exciting night in music airs live in 4K from the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa on CTV and CTV GO on Sunday, April 2 at 6:30 p.m. ET (visit CTV.ca to confirm local broadcast times).

Seven-time JUNO Award-winners Billy Talent are nominated for two awards in 2017, including Group of the Year and Rock Album of the Year, while guitarist Ian D’sa is also nominated for the Jack Richardson Producer of the Year award for his work on the band’s album. This year’s performance will be the group’s fifth JUNO performance. Dallas Smith is a two-time JUNO Award-winner, having received one award as the lead singer of the band Default and one for his solo work. July Talk won the JUNO in 2015 for Alternative Album of the Year. Both Smith and July Talk are first time broadcast performers and are nominated for one award each this year, including Country Album of the Year and Alternative Album of the Year respectively.

A new block of tickets have been released for THE 2017 JUNO AWARDS broadcast. Tickets are available starting at $59 through the Canadian Tire Centre Box Office, by phone at 1-877-788-3267 and ticketmaster.ca.

The JUNO Awards has partnered with Plus 1 so that $1 from every ticket is donated to MusiCounts, helping to ensure that children and youth across Canada have access to musical instruments. Plus 1 is a non-profit that partners with touring artists to facilitate a $1 add-on from every concert ticket to go to a cause the artist partner believes in.