Music

17 GIFs of Kathleen Edwards hosting the Polaris Music Prize

by Tyler Munro

Last night’s Polaris Prize gala was hosted by Kathleen Edwards and Shad (each being past two-time nominees), and if at any point the night seemed like it was about to drag, there was the glowingly vulgar Edwards, a never-ending bundle of cusses and shimmies. From the moment she introduced the swear jar to the multiple pantomimes she dished to the crowd, Edwards reminded us throughout the four-hours-plus broadcast that it’s okay to have a little fun even in the industry’s most prestigious of moments, and swearing’s fine if it’s for the children.

“So basically, if I say fuck, cunt or motherfucker and you don’t put money in that jar, you’re stealing from children,” said Edwards, introducing the MusiCounts swear jar.

Kathleen struts out in style to help Shad plug his new album…

…and then she does this.

Kathleen uses cue cards to explain the Polaris Prize process (we did something similar here)…

…only to say “this sucks” and walk off as she finishes.

When she noticed Colin Stetson tried to say something before his set on a mic that wasn’t on, she called him over after to let him speak his mind.

Kathleen keeps herself busy while Shad talks about Sirius XM radio.

No comment necessary. You’re a brave man, Shad.

“THIS IS SERIOUS SHIT,” she says while talking about FACTOR in her Robin Thicke costume.

“Hi, Jian Ghomeshi. Is it upsetting you that I got the hosting gig? Suck it, dude! Suck it.”

While Shad jokes about SOCAN fees, Kathleen does, uh, this:

“What did you spend your $30,000 on?”

“What’s changed since you won the Polaris, and you’re like…”

Here, our own Nicole Villeneuve encourages Kathleen to make another obscene gesture.

And here, Kathleen realizes she just did it on camera. Again.

And when all was said and done, Kathleen and Shad were off to the after party in style.

BONUS:

Sarah McLachlan twerked! Sort of!