Grammys: A Mixed Bag of Performances

When it comes to the Grammys, let’s be honest—only a handful of awards really matter. We tend to focus on the big ones.

For instance, a shoutout to “Nomadica,” which can now claim Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album!

For those keeping score: Bad Bunny took home the album of the year for “DTMF,” Kendrick Lamar boasts the record of the year for “Luther,” and Billie Eilish along with Finneas O’Connell snagged song of the year for “Wildflower.”

The ceremony kicked off with a vibrant performance of “APT” by Bruno Mars and Rosé. It was quite the showstopper, really.

And, if we’re being frank, any proper music celebration should be evaluated based on the excitement of the live performances—after all, these are entertainers, not scientists winning Nobel Prizes.

This year’s Grammy night, held at Crypto.com Arena in LA, aimed to be thrilling, even without superstars like Taylor Swift or Beyoncé.

And you know what? Some of it was really enjoyable.

The producers made a smart choice with the opening track; it had this loud, lively energy that was infectious. That performance, a truly spirited rendition of “APT,” definitely asked everyone to pay attention. And, surprisingly for an awards show—where things often go downhill—it delivered multiple fantastic performances.

For a while, at least.

Sabrina Carpenter brought the camp to life on stage by transforming it into an airport terminal for her flirty song “Manchild.” She even hopped on a baggage carousel while handling live pigeons, which was quite a sight.

Later on, during his number “Sugar On My Tongue,” Tyler, the Creator drove a flashy hot rod onto the stage and created a chaotic scene with an explosion involving fireworks. Personally, I could have focused more on the lyrics.

Then there was Justin Bieber, coming back into the spotlight in quite a unique way. After four years, he performed shirtless, just in his boxers and socks, singing “Peaches” with only a guitar and a looper pedal for company. He left the stage abruptly, almost like he had wandered in from another universe.

Lady Gaga, with her characteristic flair, performed “Abracadabra” with a basket turned upside-down on her head. It was definitely a moment—not quite as wild as the meat dress, but still distinctive.

The “In Memoriam” section included a playful tribute from Reba McIntyre to Ozzy Osbourne and a heartfelt nod to D’Angelo by Lauryn Hill. It was nice to see some classic rock recognized, though it’s been a while since it had its moment.

Trevor Noah took the stage as host for the sixth and final time, and let’s just say his jokes were a mixed bag—often groaning amidst political commentary.

As a former “Daily Show” host, his quick wit kept things lively, but he frequently landed jabs at President Trump that seemed to make everyone just want to get back to the music.

The ceremony had a political undertone, with numerous references to the ICE protests in Minneapolis, and it felt like these musicians were a bit subdued compared to their film industry counterparts.

Stars like Carole King, Joni Mitchell, and others donned “ICE Out” pins. Eilish seized her moment when she won song of the year, exclaiming, “No one will live illegally on stolen land!”

Looking ahead, next year’s Grammy Awards will find a new home on ABC after decades with CBS. But for me, it’s all about catching the clips on YouTube the following morning.