Last year, Chapel Lawn and Doech graced music’s biggest night with an outstanding performance that was both frenetic and moving.
And on February 1, a new group of performers took to the Grammys stage, including Sabrina Carpenter, Rosé, Lady Gaga and a Best New Artist nominee. Artists such as Bad Bunny, who won Album of the Year, and Billie Eilish, who won Song of the Year, made strong political statements in their speeches, and Cher received a (surprise) Lifetime Achievement Award.
This year’s awards ceremony capped off a whirlwind weekend in Los Angeles. Mariah Carey was praised by Mushicare for her artistic and philanthropic achievements, and the K-Pop Demon Hunters team rocked Clive Davis’ party with their Oscar-nominated performance of “Golden.”
Here are the best and worst musical moments from the 2026 Grammy Awards.
11. Bruno Mars and Rosé, “APT”
Mars and Blackpink singer Rosé opened the show with a searing take on her 2024 smash “APT.,” a frothy clap-along stomper that interpolated Toni Basile’s 1982 single “Mickey.” Mars, always a consummate showman, was quieter than I’ve seen him in previous performances, standing there tapping his electric guitar. Instead, he ceded the stage to Rosé, a pop-punk chic wearing a white tank top and loose black tie. The New Zealand-Korean singer pranced and mugged for the cameras in playful rock star fashion, but her vocals were often drowned out by Mars’ stalwart backing band, The Hooligans.
10. Lady Gaga “Abracadabra”
Lady Gaga was born ready to win the Grammys. Despite winning 16 awards (so far!), the singer took to the stage on Sunday with nothing to prove. But that didn’t seem to stop her.
Balancing on her head in the shape of an oversized lampshade adorned with black and red eyelashes, Gaga belted out songs from her latest album, reminiscent of the raucous rock-adjacent pop of her early days. With blinding strobe lights and hilarious choreography, the singer reaffirmed her ability to bring her little horror shop to the big stage without sacrificing any of the high notes.
9. Bruno Mars “I Just Might”
Bruno Mars returned to the stage midway through the show and performed a sensationally smooth rendition of “I Just Might,” which had everyone from Haim to Joni Mitchell ecstatic in their seats. Against a backdrop of glittering hearts, the charismatic troubadour, dressed head to toe in fire engine red and white, danced in sync with a horn section to retro nostalgic tunes. No, it wasn’t something we’d never seen before, but it was a welcome offer from one of our most consistent and reliable entertainers.
8. Alex Warren, Laura Young, Olivia Dean, Sombre (Best Newcomer Medley, Part 2)
The second half of the Best Newcomers medley was a soulful blend of artistry. TikToker-turned-chart-topper Alex Warren got off to a rocky start with a performance of his hugely popular single ‘Ordinary’. Reaching behind his suit to adjust his earphones and eventually tearing them both off, Warren fell behind the music during the first half of his performance. The song, which was clearly a tech mixup, was made even better by the strength of his vocals, but when he found the beat, their frantic lapses made the love song feel complete again.
Laura Young’s “Messy” sounded almost unrecognizable because the song was slowed down and turned into a ballad as heard on the internet. Sitting at the keys of a sleek black grand piano, Young’s haunting vocals bounced off the arena walls, and a new, laid-back arrangement made the lyrics even more searing.
Best New Artist winner Olivia Dean brought a ’70s disco vibe to her performance of “Man I Need.” Dean danced with a microphone cord like a singer twice his age, exuding energy that said, “I’m having as much fun as you.” In a flippy red minidress and sky-high heels, Dean’s bouncy curls moved excitedly to the beat.
In the medley, Sombre performed a “12 on 12” exercise performance wearing a suit with the image of a disco ball with a glittering ribbon and an exposed chest. His falsetto was sometimes thin, contrasting with his raucous mid-range timbre. But his voice wasn’t the star of the show, drowned out by his energetic wandering through the crowd, twirling his doechies and inviting the rest of the celebrity guests to dance.
7. The Marias, Addison Rae, Katsy, Leon Thomas (Best Newcomer Medley, Part 1)
Dream pop band The Marias kicked off their expansive Best New Artists medley with the lively “No One Noticed,” drawing us in with their gothic aesthetic, swirling guitars, and lyrics in a gorgeous blend of English and Spanish.
Addison Rae wowed the crowd with a kaleidoscopic, pre-recorded performance of “Fame is a Gun” as she wriggled next to a truck in a trench coat, before revealing her sparkling lavender bra and skirt. Cheeky up-and-comer Britney Spears did herself proud as she performed her hypnotic choreography and sly commentary on celebrities with razor-like precision in a parking lot.
Next, international girl group Katseye exploded from the stage with the fun, chaotic, and hyperactive “Gnarly,” followed by Leon Thomas oozing cool with the funky, searing “Mutt,” performing in a denim pantsuit and oversized shades.
6. Pharrell Williams, Malice, Pusha T “So Far Ahead”
It may be the Grammys, but for Pharrell and his brother, there’s still time for Sunday service. Super-producer and hip-hop duo Clipse (aka Malice and Pusha T) brought the audience into the church to close out the ceremony.
Pharrell belted out a soulful rendition of “So Far Ahead,” from his latest album, “Let God Sort ‘Em Out,” with his angelic vocals so delicate that it took me a while to realize that the lyrics were far from hymn-like. Assisted by a church choir wearing dresses from Louis Vuitton, the fashion house of which Pharrell is creative director, the performance was as uplifting as it was experimental, providing a fitting clash of cymbals to end the night.
5. Reba McIntyre, Brandi Clark, and Lukas Nelson. Post Malone, Andrew Watt, Chad Smith, Duff McKagan and Slash pay tribute to Ozzy Osbourne
Reba McIntyre marked the moment with a sweet, soothing tribute, harmonizing beautifully with Brandi Clark and Lukas Nelson on her anthem “Trailblazer.” “Talk about a trailblazer / I’m rolling down the path you paved,” she sings in her unmistakable voice, surrounded by dainty candles and a bed of flowers.
Post Malone then joined an all-star band that included Andrew Watt, Duff McKagan, and Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith to pay tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne with a passionate and exhilarating arrangement of Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs.” Malone has once again proven himself to be a musical shapeshifter. Jumping effortlessly from rap to pop to country to heavy metal, his wailing vocals and gravelly growl made you want to make a full-fledged rock album next.
Justin Bieber, who last performed live in Toronto in February 2024, made his long-awaited return to the Grammy Awards with “Yukon” from his surprise album Swag released last summer. Shirtless and wearing only socks and silver pants (or was it boxers?), Bieber gave a low-key performance that put his professional musical talent first.
The R&B star sang the ruminative love song with his eyes closed and arms crossed, demonstrating the buttery, expressive vocals that have made him a global pop icon. It was impressive to see him using a loop machine to sample an electric guitar in real time, even if he sometimes seemed uncomfortable returning to the spotlight. And the frequent cuts to his beloved wife, Hailey Baldwin-Bieber, put a nice ribbon on Bieber’s much-welcomed comeback.
3. Tyler the Creator “Thought I Was Dead” “Sugar On My Tongue”
Tyler, The Creator has proven he’s more of a music writer than an everyday artist with an imaginative and detailed mashup from his latest album. Beginning his performance with a mask that matched his film noir aesthetic and singular art, the rapper brought “I Thought I Was Dead” to life while holding a wad of dynamite and saying word for word.
After a brief cameo from Regina King, Tyler reveals what he does best, jumping out of a shockingly lifelike 90’s dopamine-filled car and delivering a hilarious rendition of “Sugar on My Tongue.” The concept of the performance was so focused that at times it risked overshadowing Tyler’s singing abilities (though his dancing never did). But his artistry shined through, drawing thunderous applause from Kendrick Lamar and Bad Bunny.
Sabrina Carpenter is second to none. The diminutive pop star wasn’t the first performer of the night, but she accepted the baton with the polished ease of a touring performer who’s spent time under the tutelage of Taylor Swift.
Carpenter turned the Grammy stage into a baggage claim during Panam’s heyday with a passionate rendition of his tongue-in-cheek single “Manchild.” Her pin-up girl glam was strong, as she used air traffic control lighters and pilot pins to lead the men in a synchronized dance to complete her look.
What Carpenter lacked in live vocals at the time, he more than made up for in camp and showmanship, mocking the many men who fell at his feet and twirled around in white button-down pilot uniforms — if pilots were wearing booty shorts.
1. Lauryn Hill’s tribute to D’Angelo and Roberta Flack
Some of the genre’s current giants have spoken out in a touching tribute to R&B icon D’Angelo, who took a break from music after releasing several blockbuster albums. Performing hits from D’Angelo’s limited but celebrated catalogue, Lucky Day, Leon Thomas and Bilal were among the rich, emotional voices that rode the wave of music once made famous by the singer.
Their memorial was followed by a moving ensemble performance dedicated to Roberta Flack led by Ms. Lauryn Hill. Engaging the audience with a masterful performance of “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” Hill exposed the raw emotion that infused Flack’s lyricism with magic.
Wyclef Jean, Leon Bridges and Chaka Khan were among other notable singers who joined Hill on stage to pay tribute. Ending with a rendition of “Killing Me Softly” that had the audience on their feet, the moment melted from somberness to elation as Flack’s clear and present influence on the venue became apparent.
