Owing to the pandemic, this year’s Grammys were nothing like before and was a true celebration of music.
The opening performance for this year’s Grammys saw Harry Styles igniting the stage in a feather boa while Billy Eilish concluded the show with her performance. This year, the award show design is being appreciated by many. This year’s show is also being considered as the best yet lasting four hours and focused on various artists who performed their own songs. Not just that, every performance was spectacular. There was no audience and the customary comedy angle. It also has no presenters or the involvement of Zoom screens. This year, they concentrated solely on music and celebrated the evening filled with melodies and lyrics. The change in their design has been acknowledged by many viewers who have appreciated it in great heights.
The design of the show maintained the various protocols enforced due to the pandemic. However, the design does not have to necessarily go back to its original format. Artists hung out around the soundstage and cheered their peers on. Black Pumas and harry Styles performed together while Miranda Lambert collaborated with Mickey Guyton. Dua Lipa performed with Bad Bunny and the list goes on. The event was produced by first-timer, Ben Winston who succeeded in delivering one of the most anticipated shows, and viewers are hoping that the format stays the same in the coming years as well.
The Grammys were in doubt whether to put together a show following Charley Pride’s death back in December owing to Covid after performing at the CMAs. The show which usually takes place in January was moved ahead to March. It was brave on the team’s part but ultimately, the wisest one of them all. An evening filled with music and melodies, the Grammys’ format resonated with the Jools Holland show on BBC UK. The marketing for this year was also done differently. They did not overload the performances with too much choreography or dance moves. They also cut short the Recording Academy speeches about the industry. They also tried to keep their infamous Grammy moments at bay like last year’s Prince tribute performance where FKA Twigs did a bit on the pole but did not sing.
The show kicked off with a performance by Harry Styles who went full-glam performing his hit single ‘Watermelon Sugar’ wearing a feather boa and black leather outfit. His band went the funk way and was soon joined by Dev Hynes from Blood Orange. Harry also did a burlesque-styled impression on stage with his boa. This move must have made Gypsy Rose Lee very proud. He also delivered a freestyle Harry move by picking up the boa from the floor and then turning on to listen to his peers, Black Pumas and Haim. Harry Styles’ opening performance has made quite a stir and is also being considered as one of the most spectacular ones in recent years.
Sibling and music duo Finneas and Billie Eilish performed a heart-wrenching version of the song, ‘Everything I Wanted’. ‘The Steps’ was performed by band Haim while Black Pumas’ hit song ‘Colors’ was presented as an immersive 70s-styled soul groove originating from the crevices of Memphis. This particular performance also presented an outstanding guitar solo which may have been a silent tribute to the late rocker and iconic guitarist Eddie Van Halen. The audience got the first essence of Taylor Swift’s ‘Wildest Dreams (Taylor’s Version which is a re-recorded album through an advertisement for one of the Disney movies. It may have been just a short excerpt for her upcoming remastered version of 1989 but overall, the audience is happy for now.
Taylor Swift was also the night’s biggest winner who took home a lot of awards, accolades, and an epitome of creative accomplishment. Her Folklore won Album of the Year which made her the very first woman to win the award thrice joining the league of artists to have accomplished the same feat such as Paul Simon, Frank Sinatra, and Stevie Wonder. She won the award two times previously for 1989 and Fearless but this time, it is much more special. Folklore is her most personal and deepest albums of all time that utilizes various experimental tones all throughout its journey. The album is also a milestone in her career symbolizing her independence and freedom as a creative artist. Her speech was moving indeed where she mentioned and thanked her boyfriend William Bowery, a.k.a. Joe Alwyn. She said that she thoroughly enjoyed the process of writing the songs for the album with him during the quarantine.
Taylor Swift also performed the medley of songs ‘Cardigan’, ‘Willow’, and ‘August’ from two of her albums that came out in 2020. She performed with Aaron Dessner and Jack Antonoff in a cottage set complete with a house of moss located in the deepest corners of the wood. The vibe resembled her last year’s Long Pond Studio Sessions. The coordination between the camera and the musicians also took the audience on an emotional ride as they watched through their screens but with no hindrance in the sense of conveying warmth and passion.
Megan Thee Stallion stole the show with some of the biggest moments. It set a benchmark for upcoming artists as well who are looking for exposure in the industry. She won the award for Best New Artist which was very deserving as she proudly took over the stage with her aura and humility. Lizzo, last year’s Best New Artist winner handed over the award to Megan as she was in her real skin, slipping off a ‘bitch’ which did not make a cut in the censors. Megan also won another award in the Best rap Performance category for the song ‘Savage’ alongside her featuring artist and childhood idol Beyonce. Her speech was poignantly filled with gratefulness and thankfulness where she talked about featuring Queen Bae alongside her in the song and how she was a huge fan as a little girl when she was part of the girl band, Destiny’s Child. She shared that her aim with her career was to do a ratcheted version of what Beyonce would do in certain situations. Megan also performed that evening with her songs ‘Savage’ and ‘Body’. The interlude for the two songs was complete with her doing a captivating tap dance. Cardi B also joined her league for the performance of ‘WAP’. There is a funny back-story to this performance as well owing to the hilarious lengths of censorship. The word ‘bucket’ was beeped out making for one of the funniest sub-stories of the evening. However, even after the censored word, the song was filthy that saw the two musical goddesses ruling a giant purple bed.
Beyonce, as usual, ruled the Grammy stage this year again. Everyone cheered on for her as she made history with a new record as the most rewarded female artist ever in history. The title was held previously by Alison Krauss, the popular bluegrass artist. Fans are crossing their fingers for a duet in the coming years. Beyonce won two awards last evening for her songs ‘Black Parade’ and ‘Savage’ which she shared with Megan Thee Stallion.
Among some of the greatest performances of the evening was one by Dua Lipa. She did a captivating medley of her songs, ‘Don’t Start Now’ and ‘Levitating’. Her performance also included a disco-ball swoon that really glittered up the stage and also the hearts of the viewers. Apart from this performance, she also took home an award. Her album, Future Nostalgia won the Best Pop Vocal Album. She accepted her award in a gown that was beaded and resembled one that iconic singer and actor Cher may have worn to Studio 54. ‘Dakiti’, performed by Jhay Cortez and Bad Bunny presented everyone with a sci-fi concept in terms of its set that showed the extent of technological innovation in the scope of music as well. Lil Baby, on the other hand, presented ‘The Bigger Picture’ in a mini-movie form that put to light the police brutality that shook the nation last year. The song also featured Killer Mike. The Black Lives Matter themes anthem ‘I Can’t Breath’ by H.E.R. also won an award. In another outstanding feat, Mickey Guyton became the very first black woman to be nominated for a Grammy in the category of solo country. She performed the song ‘Black Like Me’ which was touching and significant at the same time. Miranda Lambert took the creative torch and performed the song ‘Bluebird’. Roddy Ricch teamed up with DaBaby and presented an orchestral variation of the song ‘Rockstar’. Post Malone also took over the stage with his carefree aura. He performed the song, ‘Hollywood Bleeding’ that started with an intro explaining how Guitar Hero was his biggest inspiration for taking up a career in music.
Korean boy band BTS dazzled up the evening yet again. They were on camera last year only for a few seconds yodeling alongside Lil Nas X. The year before that, the group was seen shaking a leg to Dolly Parton’s hit song, ‘Jolene’. But finally, this year, they got their screen break on the Grammys. They performed their number one hit single ‘Dynamite’ that they broadcasted live from a Seoul rooftop. They indeed shredded the screen with their performance and their gleaming aura as one of the biggest musical successes in the history of music.
Bruno Mars was also seen collaborating with Anderson Paak and debuted Silk Sonic through a romantic R&B and Soul Train-inspired arrangement. They also performed the song, ‘Leave the Door Open’ as a tribute to Delfonics. The remastered version was precise and detailed and the credits go all to Bruno for these exemplary drum fills. Later that evening, the collaboration artists concluded their set with ‘Good Golly Miss Molly’ while giving it up for Little Richard.
Other highlights saw Lionel Richie honoring Kenny Rogers by singing the hit song, ‘Lady’. An acoustic version of ‘I Remember Everything’ by John Prine was performed by Brandi Carlile. Former Grammy winner and this year’s nominee, Brittany Howard ripped the stage with ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ alongside Coldplay’s Chris martin accompanying her on the piano.
Watermelon Sugar’ by Harry Styles won best pop Solo where he thanked everyone who worked with him. Ex Taylor Swift was also seen applauding his win. Billie Eilish took home the wa5rd for record of the Year for her album, Everything I Wanted. She won the same title last year as well for Bad Guy. She was awarded the Grammy by Ringo Starr who appreciated her and symbolized a union between artists from two centuries.
Trevor Noah was the host for this year’s Grammys. Although his dialogue and hosting delivery edged towards a comic side, he was good as everything was kept leaning towards a minimum. Grammys was streamlined in a way that is being appreciated by everyone. This marks the end of Zoom screening of award shows by giving people a true sense of one of the biggest ceremonies of the year. This year was almost perfect in terms of its musical feast and ‘the less on the drama and controversy part’. It was clean and very straightforward which was about the artists and their music and celebrating the evolution of the industry through the winds of change.
Although the pandemic continues to thrive with news of a new wave hitting the streets, the Grammy Night came as a breath of fresh year. Not only was the entire evening designed aiming for a true celebration of music, but it also gave people a new perspective on how the perfect event can be arranged and executed even during such situations. Overall, from the start to the end, it was a gala with some historic feats and new musicians who were christened into this global stream. With the Oscars coming up, this year’s Grammys will remain one of the best events to have hit our television screens in a long time.