Debby Friday To Host The 2024 Polaris Music Prize Gala At Massey Hall
Debby Friday will be the official host of the 2024 Polaris Music Prize Gala winner reveal event, presented by CBC Music and taking place Tuesday, September 17 at Massey Hall in Toronto, Ontario.
Friday is the reigning Polaris champion, having won in 2023 for her debut full-length album Good Luck. She’ll be crowning the 2024 winner, who’ll be chosen from one of the ten nominees on this year’s Polaris Short List, including BAMBII, The Beaches, Charlotte Cardin, DijahSB, Jeremy Dutcher, Elisapie, Cindy Lee, NOBRO, Allison Russell and TOBi.
“Winning Polaris last year was definitely a highlight for me. GOOD LUCK was such a journey and it was an incredible feeling to know that so many people connected with the album and to feel recognized in that way,” said Friday, reflecting on her Polaris win. “I commend any artist doing their own thing and dedicating themselves to their craft. I’m really looking forward to all of the performances this year and I’m excited to announce the next winner.”
Friday had an exceptional run as the #Polaris2023 champion, appearing on the cover of British music magazine NME as well as making high-profile performances around the world at events such as Pride Toronto, the Pitchfork Festival CDMX in Mexico City, Pukkelpop Festival in Belgium, La Route du Rock 2024 in France, and End of the Road Festival in England. Her most recent single “To The Dancefloor” was released on April 18.
The Polaris Music Prize is awarded annually by a panel of music critics and selecters who honour the artist who has made the best Canadian musical album of the year, without regard to musical genre or commercial popularity. This year’s winner will receive $50,000 courtesy of the Slaight Family Foundation and will be revealed at the Polaris Gala, taking place September 17, 2024 at Massey Hall in Toronto, Ontario. The Gala will feature live musical performances from nominees Charlotte Cardin, Jeremy Dutcher, BAMBII, Elisapie, DijahSB, NOBRO, TOBi and a special performance by The Beaches lead vocalist Jordan Miller with Thunder Queens.
Tickets to the Gala are available now via Massey Hall.
ALBUM ELIGIBILITY
Albums eligible for 2024 Polaris Music Prize consideration must be released between April 1, 2023 and May 1, 2024. An independent jury of musical selectors from across Canada and the adjoining unceded Indigenous lands determines the Long List and Short List. Eleven people from the larger jury pool are then chosen to serve on the Grand Jury. This Grand Jury then convenes to select the Polaris Music Prize winner.
POLARIS WINNERS
The past winners are Debby Friday (2023), Pierre Kwenders (2022), Cadence Weapon (2021), Backxwash (2020), Haviah Mighty (2019), Jeremy Dutcher (2018), Lido Pimienta (2017), Kaytranada (2016), Buffy Sainte-Marie (2015), Tanya Tagaq (2014), Godspeed You! Black Emperor (2013), Feist (2012), Arcade Fire (2011), Karkwa (2010), Fucked Up (2009), Caribou (2008), Patrick Watson (2007) and Final Fantasy / Owen Pallett (2006).
POLARIS MUSIC PRIZE 2024 EVENT SEASON
June 11 – Long List Announcement: The Long List is where Polaris reveals the 40 nominated albums that will be considered for a given year’s Prize.
July 11 – Short List Announcement: Selected from the 40 album Long List, the Short List is where Polaris reveals the 10 finalist albums that will be considered for a given year’s Prize.
September 17 – Polaris Gala: Our prestige winner reveal event, the Polaris Gala features live musical performances from the nominated acts on the Polaris Short List. The Polaris Prize winner is determined by an 11-member Polaris Grand Jury selected from the greater Polaris juror pool.
October 17 – Slaight Family Polaris Heritage Prize: The Heritage Prize is a hall of fame-minded critics prize/public polling campaign meant to celebrate classic Canadian albums created before Polaris began in 2006. Like the Polaris Music Prize, winners and nominees of the Heritage Prize are albums of the highest artistic distinction, without regard to sales or affiliations.
We acknowledge the financial support of FACTOR, the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage (Canada Music Fund) and of Canada’s Private Radio Broadcasters.
