This year, blogTO's got a a great line up of coverage for Canadian Music Week. And the festivities kicked off last night at The Docks with the presentation of The Indies - an award show and concert all rolled into one.

And, of course, we were there in force. Me, Mike Rotenberg and Kevin Au flashed slick looking media badges and let the madness (or lack thereof) ensue.

We arrived and we quickly redirected to the media entrance, which involved jumping over a snowbank to get to. Once inside, we were confronted by two major issues:

1. Who are the artists? I don't recognize anyone.
2. I wonder if the beer is free?

While it didn't take long for me and Kevin to conclude the beer was indeed free (and therefore made the bartender the coolest guy at the party by default); it was still confusing as to who were the media and who were the artists.

For an award show called The Indies, I was surprised the only guy I knew was from Canadian Idol.

The show started about 45 minutes late, or as MC Jully Black described it "right on time, Jamaica Time." We stuck around for a few performances by DJ Champion, Neverending White Lights, and Hellogoodbye. But the best performance by far was by Edmonton's Cadence Weapon. Oh and there was an awards ceremony sandwiched in there too. Here are the winners:

XM Satellite Radio Favourite Group or Duo of the Year Award - Alexisonfire
"Favourite Pop Artist/Group of the Year" Award: Billy Klippert
"Favourite Rock Artist/Group of the Year" Award: The Trews
"Favourite Jazz Artist/Group of the Year" Award: Elizabeth Shepherd Trio
"Favourite Blues Artist/Group of the Year" Award: Trouble and Strife
"Favourite World Artist/Group of the Year" Award: Eccodek
"Favourite Children's Artist/Group of the Year" Award: Splash'N Boots
"Favourite Urban Artist/Group of the Year" Award: Cadence Weapon
"InDiscover.net Favourite Artist/Band Website of the Year" Award:Ember Swift
"Favourite Single of the Year" Award: Neverending White Lights - The Grace
"Favourite Classical Artist/Group of the Year" Award: Measha Brueggergosman
"Favourite Folk Artist/ Roots Group of the Year" Award: The Sadies
"Favourite Country Artist/Group of the Year" Award: Corb Lund
"Favourite Francophone Artist/Group of the Year" Award: Malajube
"Galaxie Rising Stars Award of the CBC":Tokyo Police Club - A Lesson in Crime (Paper Bag)
"Favourite International Artist/Group of the Year" Award: Wolfmother
"Favourite Video of the Year" Award: City and Colour - Save Your Scissors
"Favourite International Album of the Year" Award:Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
"Favourite Metal Artist/Group of the Year" Award:Cancer Bats
"Chart Magazine Favourite Album of the Year" Award:Alexisonfire - "Crisis"
"Favourite Solo Artist of the Year" Award: Feist
"Favourite Electronica Artist/Group of the Year" Award: MSTRKRFT

[note: we stood around long enough in the media room that other confused media people started to think we were someone important. At one point a lady came over with her cameraman and started interviewing Mike, thinking he was DJ Champion. He should have rolled with it, would have been the highlight of the night.]