TORONTO — There were loud boos inside the MTS Centre in Winnipeg on Sunday night as Justin Bieber was named winner of the Fan Choice Award at the 2014 Juno Awards.
It was the only nomination for Bieber, who did not attend the show. He beat out nominees like Avril Lavigne, Celine Dion, Drake, Hedley and Michael Bublé.
Serena Ryder, who later won Songwriter of the Year, chided the crowd for not supporting Bieber.
“Justin Bieber is an amazing musician and he deserved every bit of that award because he’s been working his ass off his entire life,” she said, “and we need to support how awesome he is. He’s great. He’s amazing.”
READ MORE: Arcade Fire, Drake early Juno winners
The audience was far more pleased with the first winners of the night, Calgary duo Tegan and Sara, who picked up Single of the Year for “Closer.”
The sister act, who won their first ever Juno on Saturday night, also won Group of the Year.
“I don’t think very many people, and especially not us, thought two queer kids from northeast Calgary would get to here,” said Tegan, “but here we are.”
Ottawa-based electronic music act A Tribe Called Red picked up the Juno for Breakthrough Group of the Year.
Arcade Fire, currently in South America, accepted their Juno for Album of the Year (Reflektor) via video.
Sunday’s Juno broadcast was hosted by Ryder, Johnny Reid and Classified. Both Ryder and Classified tossed out expletives — “s***” from the former and “mother***ing” from the latter. (Classified also told the audience his dressing room was filled with “booze and marijuana.”)
Performers included Sarah McLachlan, Matt Mays, The Sheepdogs and U.S. band OneRepublic.
Robin Thicke pulled out of the show early Sunday, citing mandatory vocal rest.
READ MORE: Full coverage of the Juno Awards
Astronaut Chris Hadfield sang a few lines of “Takin’ Care of Business” before introducing Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductees Bachman-Turner Overdrive.
Among those paying tribute to the band in a video package were Elton John and Metallica.
“We took a ride around the world together that was quite incredible,” said Randy Bachman. “The ride started here in Winnipeg. It’s great to be standing here in Winnipeg where it all started.”
The Juno Awards show ended with a performance by BTO and other Canadian musicians.
The majority of the Juno awards were handed out Saturday night.
Next year’s awards will be handed out in Hamilton, Ont.
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