Everything You Need To Know About The 2018 Polaris Music Prize Gala
The 2018 Polaris Gala, presented by CBC Music, takes place Monday, September 17 at The Carlu in Toronto. That night one of 10 nominated albums will be declared the 2018 Polaris Music Prize winner.
A very limited number of tickets to the Gala remain available for sale via Ticketmaster HERE.
Here are all the things you need to know:
What are the 10 albums that have a chance to win?
Alvvays – Antisocialites
Jean-Michel Blais – Dans ma main
Daniel Caesar – Freudian
Jeremy Dutcher – Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa
Pierre Kwenders – MAKANDA at the End of Space, the Beginning of Time
Hubert Lenoir – Darlène
Partner – In Search Of Lost Time
Snotty Nose Rez Kids – The Average Savage
U.S. Girls – In A Poem Unlimited
Weaves – Wide Open
How do I watch the live stream?
The Polaris Gala will be broadcast live via CBC Music starting at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT. Watch the whole event HERE.
Who’s performing?
Jean-Michel Blais, Jeremy Dutcher, Hubert Lenoir, Pierre Kwenders, Partner, Snotty Nose Rez Kids, U.S. Girls and Weaves. CBC Radio 2 Morning’s Raina Douris will host the Gala.
What’s the deal with food and booze?
There will be complimentary food stations between 6-8 p.m., courtesy of SOCAN. Some items include fancy grilled cheese, fish tacos, Nonna’s meatballs and cold noodle salad from the brilliant chef Chris Barrett at Oliver & Bonacini. There are also going to be “Mason jars with Rockets candies in them.” We’ve also partnered with the Beau’s All Natural Brewing Company to provide beer-related pleasures.
Official Polaris hard snack Hawkins Cheezies and official Polaris crunchy snack Old Dutch Ketchup Potato Chips will also be available at tables once the show starts.
Polaris Posters & Tees
We’ll have a very limited number of Polaris Posters available for sale at The Carlu’s merch table on the night of. These specially commissioned posters are inspired by the Short List nominated albums and are given to each album’s respective artists as gifts. This will be the first opportunity for people purchase artworks inspired by the 2018 Short List albums. Cost for these posters are $40 + HST each. To see these posters as well as those from previous years, go HERE.
A limited amount of “That’s Entertainment” Polaris tees will also be available at a cost of $30 each, XS to XL sizes available.
Record Bag
A complimentary copy of the Polaris Cover Sessions Vol. 4 ten-inch as well as signature tote bag will be available for all attendees at the Polaris Gala. They’ll be available at the merch booth (strict one per person rule in effect). The album, sponsored by SiriusXM Canada, is pressed in regal gold vinyl and features Jean-Michel Blais covering Feist’s, “Mushaboom,” Weaves covering Arcade Fire’s “Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)” and Lindi Ortega covering Leonard Cohen’s “Suzanne.”
Slaight Family Polaris Heritage Prize
We’re officially opening the voting for this year’s Slaight Family Polaris Heritage Prize on Monday, September 17. Supported by Re:Sound, this is our annual “hall of fame” campaign meant to honour albums of artistic merit made before Polaris existed. There will be 10 nominated albums in each of four separate time periods: 1960-75, 1976-85, 1986-95, 1996-2005. Ballots will be available HERE and enthusiasts will be able to vote once per day until voting close October 18.
Polaris Music Prize Gala Official After-Party at The Drake Hotel
The official Polaris Gala After-Party will be taking place at The Drake Hotel (1150 Queen St. W.) on Monday, September 17. Polaris jurors DJ Philippe and JayemKayem will be the evening’s musical curators. It is open to the public and there is no cover.
Polaris Podcast
In the lead-up to this year’s Gala, the Polaris Podcast has assembled casts of jurors to discuss the albums on the 2018 Short List and 2018 Long List. You can listen to these episodes via iTunes, Soundcloud, Google Play or Spotify.
Listen To The Nominees
Our official Spotify and Apple Music channels have playlists inspired by this year’s Short and Long List in addition to other exciting themed musical mixes.
