Grammys ceremony opens with tribute to Los Angeles

The 2025 Grammy Awards have opened with a particular efficiency by the Los Angeles band Dawes, two brothers whose houses had been destroyed within the latest wildfires.

The duo had been joined on stage by former Grammy winners together with Sheryl Crow, John Legend, Brad Paisley and Brittany Howard to carry out Randy Newman’s traditional tune I Love LA.

“It is typically stated that within the darkest of instances, the perfect of humanity shines by way of, and the individuals of Los Angeles proper now are an ideal instance of that,” stated host Trevor Noah, introducing the efficiency.

“So tonight, we determined we’re not simply going to be celebrating our favorite music. We’re additionally celebrating the town that introduced us a lot of that music.”

The comic, who’s internet hosting the ceremony for the fifth time, stated that “just some weeks in the past, we weren’t positive that this present would even occur”.

“Fortunately, because of the heroic efforts of firefighters, the fires have now been contained, and regardless of all of the devastation, the spirit of the town has emerged,” he added, to beneficiant applause.

A number of firefighters had been invited to the awards to honour their efforts; and walked the pink carpet taking selfies with the largest stars in music.

Los Angeles native Billie Eilsh was the second artist on stage, taking part in her Grammy-nominated tune Birds Of A Feather in opposition to a backdrop impressed by California’s pure magnificence.

“I really like you LA,” she stated because the music ended.

The ceremony is elevating cash for these affected by what Noah referred to as “one of many largest pure disasters in US historical past”; and organisers have handed over a portion of their airtime to let native companies promote free of charge as they attempt to rebuild.

As for the awards, Beyoncé is the evening’s greatest nominee, with 11 nods for her country-inspired album Cowboy Carter – together with album of the 12 months.

The star went into the ceremony with extra Grammys than every other artist in historical past, a complete of 32, however she has by no means received the largest prize.

Forward of the primary ceremony, she picked up one extra trophy – finest nation duo/group efficiency, for II Most Wished, a duet with Miley Cyrus.

Different artists awarded within the early “premiere ceremony” included the Beatles, who received finest rock efficiency for his or her AI-assisted monitor Now And Then, based mostly on an previous John Lennon demo.

British pop star Charli XCX received three trophies for her trend-setting membership album Brat; and Sabrina Carpenter’s Espresso was named finest pop solo efficiency.