Comedian Mae Martin to host JUNO Awards in Hamilton
Ceremony will recognize Daniel Caesar and Billy Talent, broadcast will feature performance by William Prince, and JUNOfest performers announced, including nine with strong ties to Hamilton.
Comedian, actor, singer-songwriter, podcast host, and writer Mae Martin will host the 55th annual JUNO Awards when they come to TD Coliseum in Hamilton on March 29.
The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) and CBC made the announcement Thursday. Martin will helm a show that will feature Canadian icon Joni Mitchell receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award, pop superstar Nelly Furtado being inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, and performances by Hamilton legends Arkells, The Beaches and William Prince.
Martin, a Toronto native, co-created, co-wrote, and starred in the Channel 4/Netflix comedy series Feel Good, receiving a BAFTA TV nomination for best female comedy performance for that work.
Most recently, Martin created, co-show ran, starred in, wrote for, and executive produced the limited series WAYWARD, which launched on Netflix in September 2025, following its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. Also starring Toni Collette, WAYWARD is set in a seemingly pleasant, yet sinister, town and explores the dark underbelly of the troubled teen industry. The critically acclaimed series debuted as Netflix’s most-watched TV series globally with 8.2 million views in the first week.
Martin is co-host of the hit comedy podcast HANDSOME, Tig Notaro and Fortune Feimster. HANDSOME showcases Martin’s quick humour and unique perspective, and the podcast engages listeners globally with candid discussions on life, comedy, and identity.
Known for blending humour with insight, the 38-year-old Martin “adds a fresh and distinctive perspective to the 2026 broadcast,” reads a press release from CARAS.
Martin says, “I'm unbelievably honoured to be hosting The JUNOS this year. Canada's biggest night in music! No pressure, just decades of iconic artists. The JUNOS have always been about celebrating artists who are bold, genre-defying, and unafraid to be a little weird, so I'll try to embody those qualities as your host! Getting to celebrate Canadian artists on this scale feels so thrilling and a little surreal. Thanks to The JUNOS for trusting me with this!”
CARAS also announced that multi-platinum global star Daniel Caesar, a defining voice in modern R&B, will be honoured with the International Achievement Award and will take the JUNOS stage for a special performance. The award recognizes his global impact as one of Canada’s most influential contemporary artists. With chart-topping releases, international touring, and worldwide acclaim, Caesar continues to elevate Canadian music on the global stage.
Also announced as a performer is William Prince, who willbring his powerful songwriting and unmistakable voice to the broadcast. Known for his deeply personal storytelling and roots influenced sound, Prince has become one of Canada’s most respected contemporary artists, earning critical acclaim and two JUNO Awards for his work. His recent accolades include the John Prine Songwriter Fellowship, Allan Slaight Music Impact Honour, and Americana Honors & Awards nomination. He’s performed at the Newport Folk Festival, NPR’s Tiny Desk and sold-out shows at prestigious theatres including Massey Hall, and toured with The War and Treaty and Yola,
At the JUNO Awards Gala presented by Music Canada on Saturday, March 28, Billy Talent will be recognized with the Humanitarian Award, honouring the band’s longstanding commitment to philanthropy and community impact.
As well, industry leaders, the late Alexander Mair, co-founder of Attic Records, music executive, entrepreneur, and artist advocate Sandy Pandya, and Vinny Cinquemani, co-president of Paquin Artist Agency, will each receive the Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award presented by Slaight Music, recognizing their significant and lasting influence on the Canadian music industry.
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In addition to the broadcast announcements, the first round of performers has been revealed for JUNOfest presented by CBC, the multi-venue festival that will transform Hamilton into a hub for live Canadian music throughout JUNO Week.
Several of the artists announced have strong ties to the Hamilton music community, including Ralph Nyoni, Superstar Crush, Ivy Gardens, Burs, Carrie Clark, Mattie Leon, Ten Minute Detour, Nicolette & The Nobodies and Silverstein, marking their hometown moment.
Other artists from across Canada include Amelia Maxwell, Ammoye, Bells Larsen, Billianne, Cam Kahin, Computer, cootie catcher, Dumb Crush, Ebril, Falls for the Elderly, Feura, GRAE, JayWood, Jordan Astra, Kali Horse, Katie Tupper, Lindsay Schoolcraft, LU KALA, Myst Milano, poolblood, Puma June, Rachel Bobbitt, Shawnee Kish, Sister Ray, Status/Non-Status, and Tedy.
Additional performers, presenters and JUNO Week programming will be announced in the coming months.
Martin will begin a 37-city North American stand-up comedy tour at the end of February. Their stand-up comedy has garnered a number of awards, including best comedy show at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards, and a JUNO Award nomination for comedy album of the year.
I’m A TV, Martin’s debut music album, was released in February 2025. The album, written entirely by Martin, is described as “an indie rock expression of hazy, millennial nostalgia.”
The 55th Annual JUNO Awards, produced by Insight Productions (A Blue Ant Studios Company), will air live across Canada March 29 at 8 p.m. ET on CBC TV, CBC Gem, CBC Radio One, CBC Music, CBC Listen, and stream globally at CBCMusic.ca/junos and on CBC Music’s YouTube channel.
For more information, visit junoawards.ca, and for tickets to Canada’s Biggest Night in Music visit ticketmaster.ca/junos.
