The week leading up to the Grammy Awards is typically a star-studded seven days. It is filled with exclusive parties that draw some of music’s top talents from across the globe – producers, singers, agents and musicians – all to the epicentre of the entertainment industry in Los Angeles. But nearly all of that is non-existent this year. Even the hallmark rowdy after-parties have been cancelled. There were questions over whether the Grammys ceremony, the “Oscars for Music,” would even go on as planned on Sunday after Los Angeles saw its most devastating fire disaster ever recorded – blazes that were only fully doused on Friday after burning for 24 days.
Twenty-nine people have died and more than 16,000 homes and businesses have been destroyed – with whole neighbourhoods now ash. Many artists and industry professionals are among those who lost homes, studios and equipment. In the muted lead-up to the show, efforts usually put toward parties have gone instead toward fundraising efforts. Showrunners say the ceremony itself will also look different.
The Recording Academy, which runs the show, said the show is needed more than ever. Trustees say the evening will double as a charitable event to raise money and honour both the victims and the emergency responders who risked their lives. But it will look different than years past. Showrunners are looking to strike the right tone honouring the victims of the fire and displaying a defiant Los Angeles that will persevere. But there is concern the optics of rich celebrities dolled up with smiles on a red carpet could come off as tone deaf.
Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. said that the show include a reimagined format, scaled-back red carpet and a more reflective tone. He highlighted the economic impact, noting that thousands rely on Grammy-related work, particularly in the service industry. He framed the event as a symbol of resilience, arguing that cancelling would not benefit the city or music industry. “Cancelling, pushing, moving does not accomplish what us standing together” does, Mr Mason argued in a webcast. The show will be “unifying and coming together, honouring music, but also using the power of music to heal, rebuild and provide services to people who need it”. “I think this might be one of the most important Grammy weeks we’ve ever had.”
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