The Canadian Press reported that there were many Canadian artists that performed at the gala for the Polaris award. Patrick Watson received the award for his album, Close to Paradise.
The Polaris award was given for the first time last year, and has a $20 000 bursary attached to the award. It has the objective of finding the best Canadian album, based on quality and creativity. It does not take sales and musical genre into account.
Last year, the group Final Fantasy won the award for the album, He Poos Clouds.
Watson was among the ten finalists that included: Miracle Fortress, Joel Plaskett, Chad VanGaalen, Julie Doiran, Feist, Junior Boys, Arcade Fire, The Dears and The Bednard Lakes.
The jury was composed of 11 experts that had the challenge of selecting a winner, while the musicians performed on stage.