How LA fires devastation will change the Grammys this yr

The week main as much as the Grammy Awards is usually a star-studded seven days.

It’s crammed with unique events that draw a few of music’s high abilities from throughout the globe – producers, singers, brokers and musicians – all to the epicentre of the leisure trade in Los Angeles.

However almost all of that’s non-existent this yr. Even the hallmark rowdy after-parties have been cancelled.

There have been questions over whether or not the Grammys ceremony, the “Oscars for Music,” would even go on as deliberate on Sunday after Los Angeles noticed its most devastating hearth catastrophe ever recorded – blazes that have been solely absolutely doused on Friday after burning for twenty-four days.

Twenty-nine individuals have died and greater than 16,000 houses and companies have been destroyed – with complete neighbourhoods now ash. Many artists and trade professionals are amongst those that misplaced houses, studios and gear.

Within the muted lead-up to the present, efforts normally put towards events have gone as a substitute towards fundraising efforts. Showrunners say the ceremony itself may even look totally different.

The Recording Academy, which runs the present, mentioned the present is required greater than ever. Trustees say the night will double as a charitable occasion to boost cash and honour each the victims and the emergency responders who risked their lives.

However it would look totally different than years previous.

Showrunners want to strike the proper tone honouring the victims of the fireplace and displaying a defiant Los Angeles that can persevere. However there may be concern the optics of wealthy celebrities dolled up with smiles on a crimson carpet might come off as tone deaf.

Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. mentioned that the present embody a reimagined format, scaled-back crimson carpet and a extra reflective tone.

He highlighted the financial affect, noting that hundreds depend on Grammy-related work, significantly within the service trade. He framed the occasion as a logo of resilience, arguing that cancelling wouldn’t profit town or music trade.

“Cancelling, pushing, transferring doesn’t accomplish what us standing collectively” does, Mr Mason argued in a webcast. The present can be “unifying and coming collectively, honouring music, but in addition utilizing the facility of music to heal, rebuild and supply companies to individuals who want it”.

“I feel this may be probably the most necessary Grammy weeks we have ever had.”

Mr Mason advised the New York Instances that they consulted a spread of public officers about whether or not they need to maintain the occasion – together with town’s mayor and California Governor Gavin Newsom – and whether or not it will hinder hearth response efforts.

“They strongly prompt that we proceed ahead with internet hosting the occasion,” he advised the outlet. “Everybody mentioned there’s nothing good that comes from suspending.”

However there are nonetheless worries that the night time can be a nasty search for the music trade.

“I really do not assume that the Grammys ought to be taking place,” Elyn Kazarian, a artistic director within the music trade, advised the BBC.

“It is simply very bizarre to me that there are going to be celebrities on a crimson carpet sporting costly garments whereas individuals in different components of town are struggling and whose livelihoods have been destroyed.”

Showrunners say the fires can be a theme that runs all through the ceremony and town of Los Angeles can be centre stage.

Ben Winston, one of many three government producers of the present, advised the New York Instances that the awards will “make LA a personality within the night time of Grammys” and the present would pay tribute to first responders.

A giant purpose of the present can be fundraising for hearth reduction efforts.

Simply days earlier than the present, one other huge music occasion within the metropolis raised tens of millions for rebuilding efforts. The FireAid live performance, hosted in two LA arenas with greater than two dozen musical acts, raised greater than $60 million in ticket gross sales alone.

The Grammys will run for a staggering eight hours and hand out 94 awards, recognising the whole lot from greatest pop album to greatest choral efficiency.

Beyoncé and Taylor Swift will each be in attendance as they sq. off within the album of the yr class for the primary time since 2010 – which Swift gained that yr.

There may even be performances from Charli XCX, Sabrina Carpenter, Benson Boone, Shakira, Stevie Surprise, Teddy Swims and Raye – and an in memoriam tribute to Thriller producer Quincy Jones.

This isn’t the primary time a significant disruption has impacted the music trade’s greatest night time.

In 2021, the present was postponed as a consequence of Covid-19 and was considerably altered to accommodate security protocols. It featured a socially distanced format, with no reside viewers and pre-recorded performances in an intimate out of doors setting relatively than the standard large-scale enviornment manufacturing.

Artists needed to regulate to a brand new manner of selling their music, counting on digital platforms relatively than in-person Grammy week occasions, which have been both cancelled or moved on-line.

“I would not essentially evaluate the COVID pandemic to what’s taking place right here,” senior music author for Selection, Steven J Horowitz, advised the BBC. “COVID lasted for therefore lengthy and the results have been devastating for years. Folks needed to cancel main releases, and the whole lot shifted to a digital area.”

He mentioned the fires are totally different.

“The trade has reacted in actual time. It isn’t as widespread as a worldwide pandemic, so individuals are slightly extra versatile on the best way to correctly react and assist these affected,” he mentioned.

Artist Supervisor Dani Chavez advised the BBC that the fires have affected many individuals working in LA’s music trade.

“I do know a number of musicians who misplaced their gear”, Chavez mentioned. “I do know stylists who work in music who misplaced their homes, who had costumes and whatnot. I do know musicians who’re born and raised in LA who misplaced their home.”

There’s additionally a ripple impact within the trade on these not personally impacted by the fires.

The week of occasions earlier than the present helps new musicians and permits them to interrupt out in a crowded market – getting time with high executives and people at main document labels.

“Visibility is essential for artists,” Mr Horowitz advised the BBC.

“Say you are a Finest New Artist nominee who is comparatively unknown to the general public – being on these platforms and at these events is a extremely huge look if you happen to’re attempting to get your music out in entrance of the trade. It actually does assist.”

Probably the most sought-after events is Spotify’s occasion honouring the nominees for Finest New Artist of the yr. It’s half occasion, half live performance, with earlier nominees showcasing their new music, and celebrities from all components of the leisure trade there to rejoice.

Following the fires, Spotify selected to cancel this yr’s occasion.

“We have determined that probably the most impactful strategy is cancelling all our Grammy Week occasions, together with our annual Finest New Artist occasion, and redirecting funds to assist efforts to achieve native followers and charitable organizations,” Spotify’s World Head of Music Partnerships and Viewers Joe Hadley wrote in an announcement.

The music trade and the Grammys are deeply rooted in Los Angeles, and although town goes by way of a devastating interval, it has bolstered a way of group, particularly within the music trade.

“Even when individuals misplaced the whole lot, they nonetheless have hope. And I feel that feeds into what we’ll see within the music trade sooner or later,” Mr Horowitz mentioned. “Folks aren’t going to flee Los Angeles due to this one factor. It isn’t going to cease L.A. from being one of many important hubs for music on this planet.”