With the Junos in 麻豆传媒映画this year, winners, presenters, and performers shared some of their thoughts on Vancouver, the music scene here, and a couple of restaurants.
The annual Canadian music awards on March 30, 2025 (hosted by hometown hero Michael Buble) saw awards given out to Toronto rockers the Beaches, 麻豆传媒映画rapper bbno$, and country singer Josh Ross, among others.
At the same time, Canadian icon Anne Murray received a Lifetime Achievement Award, and pop punk stars Sum 41 were inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame (and performed for the last time).
Along the way, in the press area, many of the stars spoke to media and gave nods to the host city.
Here are their thoughts on Vancouver.
The Beaches "adore" a local pizza chain
When asked about any local spots they like, the Beaches were quick to answer.
"We actually adore Pizza Garden. We think it's better than any pizza in Toronto," said bassist and singer Jordan Miller. "Like Toronto to get a life with your pizza game."
They even had it before heading over to the Junos.
bbno$ and Vancouver
Given he's based in Vancouver, bbno$ has a lot of local knowledge.
For one, he knows whom to contact if a toilet costume is needed.
"I contacted a cosplayer out of Vancouver, and they go by Sugar. And I was like, here's some paintings that my creative director art guy did," he told the media. "And we made it happen."
When it comes to local musical artists he's keeping an eye on, there's one simple answer.
"Jungle Bobby," he told the media room. "I love Jungle Bobby. Everyone here, you guys will be writing about Jungle Bobby in the next year or two, I promise you guys."
As for the road to success in Vancouver, he said it's complicated. One thing he recognized is that he needed to use non-traditional methods to get his music to a broader audience since 麻豆传媒映画has a relatively small music scene. So he turned to the internet.
"Until just recently, I would say no one really knew me here," he explained. "You know, I blew up in China way before I blew up anywhere else."
On the other hand, being in 麻豆传媒映画exposed him to a variety of cultures.
"So it's a, you know, it's a very multicultural city, and it's opened my eyes to get ready and get excited to experience other cultures," he said.
As an anecdote, he noted that he had friends of Asian descent growing up, so when he did blow up in China, he was excited for the culture there. Meanwhile, on trips to the U.S., he's met people who've never had Chinese food.
Peach Pit
After playing a set on the biggest stage in the city, local rockers Peach Pit spoke about the 麻豆传媒映画music scene, giving Mac DeMarco a shout-out.
They also noted, thanks to the internet, they've been able to stay in 麻豆传媒映画instead of seeking bigger markets.
"I think a lot of people prior to us coming up kind of felt like they had to move to L.A. or Montreal or somewhere with a bigger music scene," said lead singer Neil Smith. "But 麻豆传媒映画has just kind of stayed our hometown the whole time, and it's been amazing."
They also highlighted local music venue Green Auto.
"They're kind of keeping that sort of DIY sensibility alive in Vancouver, which is cool," said Smith.
Snotty Nose Rez Kids give restaurant recommendations
When it comes to local eats, the duo of Yung Trybez and Young D of Snotty Nose Rez Kids have a couple of suggestions.
"For me, when I treat myself to my favourite sushi spot, it would be Sushi Oyama," said Young D.
Meanwhile, Yung Trybez is a fan of Mogu.
"It's a chicken spot on Commercial Drive, the best chicken in the city," he said.
Jessie Reyez is a fan of a local rapper
When asked who she's a fan of in Vancouver, Jessie Reyez had one answer.
"F**king SonReal from Vernon, who represents B.C. all the time, that is my guy. Yeah, I slept on that man's couch for so long, and he's just been my guy," she said.
These days, SonReal is based in Vancouver.
"That's my brother. I love SonReal. So there's a piece of B.C. I love forever," Reyez went on to say.
Boi-1da, who Reyez had just presented with a lifetime achievement award, didn't have anyone in mind, locally, though he's looking, he said. At the same time, he didn't realize SonReal was from B.C. until after Reyez mentioned him and seemed to be a fan of the local rapper.
Josh Ross cites local country star as inspiration
While Josh Ross won the Juno for Country Album of the Year, he spoke about how someone he beat out for the award was also an inspiration.
"I'm still a huge Dallas Smith fan. I know Dallas is from the area, and he's somebody that inspired me really early on," explained Ross. "Even in the Default days."
Default was Smith's Vancouver-based rock band in the early 90s. He broke through with them, winning a Juno in 2002 as a Best New Group, before becoming a solo country artist.
"Dallas would still be one of the people I really care about from this area," said Ross.
Sum 41 share favourite local spots, memories
Tom Thacker, frontman for Gob and member of Sum 41, said he has fond memories of playing punk shows in Vancouver.
"I played so many shows, I started a band called Gob like 30 years ago," he said. "Then I met these guys and they opened for us and then they blew up and brought Gob out on the road and I started playing with Sum 41."
As for local businesses, he gave a shout-out to Skull Skates, PD's Hot Shop, and all the good sushi in the city.
Guitarist Dave Baksh also highlighted the Greenhorn Cafe and Marche Mon Pitou.
