Arkells, Daniel Lanois among nominees for 2015 Juno Awards

A host of Hamilton-area bands are up for Juno awards this year and hoping to bring home some hardware when the show hits town in March.

Indie-rock darlings Arkells lead the pack with nominations for group of the year and rock album of the year on the back of the bands newest album, High Noon.

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The nominee list was announced Tuesday at a press conference at the Danforth Music Hall in Toronto.

Heres a look at who else from Hamilton is up for a Juno award this year:

• Steve Stongman: Blues album of the year
• Caribou: Electronic album of the year
• Blackie and the Rodeo Kings: Roots and traditional group of the year
• Elliott Brood: Roots and traditional group of the year
• Daniel Lanois: Instrumental album of the year
• Diana Panton: Jazz vocal album of the year

Expat Hamiltonian Jeremy Fisher (now based in Ottawa) is also up for adult alternative album of the year.

Arkells were also announced as performers for the Juno award show, which is being held on Sunday, March 15 at FirstOntario Centre.

The band played a tight acoustic version of Come to Light from its last record during the announcement which culminated with frontman Max Kerman proclaiming Hamiltons getting an LRT, mother fkers! during the live broadcast. The city has been debating the benefits of light rail transit for years.

Hamilton beatboxer Hachey the MouthPeace rounded out the performances at the announcement.

Outside of Hamilton, MAGIC!,KieszaandLeonard Cohen are among the artistsin the running for the 44th annual Juno Awards.

Reggae pop-group MAGIC! leads the nominations with five nods including pop album of the year, single of the year and breakthrough group of the year. Calgary'sKiesza follows close behind with four nominations including single of the year, for her international hit Hideaway.

Canadian music icon Leonard Cohen also received four nominations including artist of the year and album of the year for Popular Problems.

Hamilton has previously hosted the Juno awards five times in the last 14 years. "They are no strangers to Juno award celebrations," said Allan Reid, president and CEO of the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS), the Juno Awards and MusiCounts.

The ceremony is also about celebrating the host city alongside Canada's vibrant music scene, Reid said. "Music is an integral part of Canada's cultural fabric," he said. "It binds us together."

Tickets for the 2015 Juno awards go on sale Friday, Dec. 5. They range from $39 to $149 and can be purchased at FirstOntario Centre, by phone at 1-855-872-5000 and online at Ticketmaster.ca.