Polaris Music Prize to reveal winner in stripped-down event

The winner of the Polaris Music Prize is being revealed tonight in a shortened edition of the usual festivities.

Organizers of the $50,000 award celebrating the best Canadian album of the year say they're planning a show that runs about half an hour and features two performances by last year's winner, Backxwash.

The event will be hosted by Angeline Tetteh-Wayoe of CBC Music and stream on CBC Gem and CBC Music's Facebook, Twitter and YouTube pages at 8 p.m. ET.

It's a significant change from other years when all 10 shortlisted Polaris contenders had the opportunity to showcase their nominated albums, usually with a live performance.

Polaris representatives say "continued uncertainty" around public gatherings led to the decision to forgo an in-person event.