102.1 The Edge CASBYS at Sound Academy

Thursday night welcomed another fun edition of 102.1 The Edge’s CASBY Awards. Contest winners headed to the Sound Academy to see a ceremony featuring performances from the biggest names in Can-Rock and up-and-comers poised to soon take their own place in the upper echelons of Canadian greatness.

Keeping with the CASBYs tradition of surprises – and following a stirring rendition of “O Canada” – Billy Talent opened the show with an unannounced one-song teaser. Performances followed by Next Big Thing winners JJ and the Pillars, Dear Rouge, Mounties, Current Swell, Tokyo Police Club, and finished up with Hamilton powerhouses the Arkells.

Arkells also picked up some award hardware – taking home the prize of Favourite New Record for 2014’s High Noon. July Talk picked up the prize for Favourite New Artist, USS took home Favourite New Song for the infectious “Yin Yang”, and Favourite Sugar Beach Session went to the well-deserving City & Colour.