The 64th Annual Grammy Awards took place last night (3rd April) in Las Vegas. With Trevor Noah returning as presenter, compared to other recent award shows (ahem – Ed), the night went off relatively without a hitch.
It was also the second year of Ben Winston (Yes – that’s the same Ben Winston whose daughter Ruby features at the start of ‘As It Was’ by Harry Styles – Ed) acting as producer, after the same bloke had the job for 40 years. After complaints about the lack of diversity and representation of women rumbled on last year, change was both expected and hoped for.
And the night belonged to…
Olivia Rodrigo of course. She walked away with three Grammys – Best New Artist, Best Pop Solo Performance for ‘Driver’s License’ and Best Pop Vocal Album for ‘Sour’. Quite right too considering the dominance that ‘Sour’, and the singles from it, had on 2021.
Silk Sonic won four gongs, including both Record and Song of the Year. And no, we are not entirely sure of the difference between record and song in this context. Taylor Swift, whose ‘Folklore’ was applauded many times over last year, did not manage to win Album of The Year for the second year in a row for ‘Evermore’. That went to Jon Batiste for ‘We Are’.
Doja Cat also nabbed her first Grammy Award, which got announced whilst she was taking a ‘bathroom break’, resulting in quote for the ages: “I have never taken such a fast piss in my whole life”. Whilst nominated last year, this year she took home the trophy alongside Sza for Best pop/duo group performance for ‘Kiss Me More’.
The recent loss of Taylor Hawkins was felt in many different aspects of the evening. Sadly, Foo Fighters had been due to attend and perform at the ceremony. Billie Eilish wore a shirt honouring Taylor during her live performance of ‘Happier Than Ever’. He also featured in the ‘In Memorium’ segment. The Foos won three Grammys, but no doubt that will be bittersweet for many who will be feeling the loss of Taylor so sharply still.
There was some politics – but the good kind
A more serious note was added with an appearance via a pre-recorded video by Volodymyr Zelenskiy, President of Ukraine who asked for support in bringing attention to the plight of the Ukrainian people, as the invasion by Russia ravages on.
He said: “The war doesn’t let us choose who survives and who stays in eternal silence. Our musicians wear body armor instead of tuxedos. They sing to the wounded in hospitals, even to those who can’t hear them. But the music will break through anyway.”
The video was a prelude to a John Legend performance, who was accompanied by Ukrainian musicians Mika Newton and Siuzanna Iglidan and poet Lyuba Yakimchuk.
COVID Strikes Again
Poor Glass Animals – they’ve had an amazing last 12 months. ‘Heat Waves’ has been a massive hit, featuring on the Billboard Top 100 for over a year and topping the chart for the last four weeks. The former Dork cover stars had been due to attend the awards, where they had been nominated for Best New Artist. Unfortunately, frontman Dave Bayley tested positive for COVID before the awards and was unable to attend. Just have to get a new record done quick sharp for next year, huh lads?
You can find the full list of nominations and winners from the night here.
