How LA fires devastation will change the Grammys this 12 months

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

It’s stuffed with unique events that draw a few of music’s high skills 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 12 months. 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 fireplace catastrophe ever recorded – blazes that have been solely totally 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 an alternative towards fundraising efforts. Showrunners say the ceremony itself can 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 lift cash and honour each the victims and the emergency responders who risked their lives.

However it can look totally different than years previous.

Showrunners need to strike the best tone honouring the victims of the hearth and displaying a defiant Los Angeles that may persevere. However there may be concern the optics of wealthy celebrities dolled up with smiles on a purple carpet may come off as tone deaf.

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

He highlighted the financial impression, noting that 1000’s depend on Grammy-related work, significantly within the service trade. He framed the occasion as an emblem of resilience, arguing that cancelling wouldn’t profit town or music trade.

“Cancelling, pushing, shifting 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 ability of music to heal, rebuild and supply providers to individuals who want it”.

“I believe this could be one of the vital Grammy weeks we have ever had.”

Mr Mason informed the New York Occasions that they consulted a variety 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 could hinder fireplace response efforts.

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

However there are nonetheless worries that the evening can be a foul search for the music trade.

“I truly do not suppose that the Grammys needs to be taking place,” Elyn Kazarian, a inventive director within the music trade, informed the BBC.

“It is simply very bizarre to me that there are going to be celebrities on a purple carpet carrying costly garments whereas individuals in different elements 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, informed the New York Occasions that the awards will “make LA a personality within the evening of Grammys” and the present would pay tribute to first responders.

An enormous goal of the present can be fundraising for fireplace reduction efforts.

Simply days earlier than the present, one other huge music occasion within the metropolis raised thousands and thousands 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 every little thing 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 12 months class for the primary time since 2010 – which Swift gained that 12 months.

There can 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 serious disruption has impacted the music trade’s largest evening.

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

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

“I would not essentially examine the COVID pandemic to what’s taking place right here,” senior music author for Selection, Steven J Horowitz, informed the BBC. “COVID lasted for thus lengthy and the consequences have been devastating for years. Individuals needed to cancel main releases, and every little thing shifted to a digital area.”

He mentioned the fires are totally different.

“The trade has reacted in actual time. It is not as widespread as a worldwide pandemic, so individuals are a little bit extra versatile on how one can correctly react and assist these affected,” he mentioned.

Artist Supervisor Dani Chavez informed 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 informed 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 very huge look when you’re attempting to get your music out in entrance of the trade. It actually does assist.”

One of the sought-after events is Spotify’s occasion honouring the nominees for Finest New Artist of the 12 months. It’s half celebration, half live performance, with earlier nominees showcasing their new music, and celebrities from all elements of the leisure trade there to have fun.

Following the fires, Spotify selected to cancel this 12 months’s occasion.

“We have determined that probably the most impactful method is cancelling all our Grammy Week occasions, together with our annual Finest New Artist celebration, and redirecting funds to assist efforts to succeed in 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 every little thing, they nonetheless have hope. And I believe that feeds into what we’ll see within the music trade sooner or later,” Mr Horowitz mentioned. “Individuals aren’t going to flee Los Angeles due to this one factor. It is not going to cease L.A. from being one of many principal hubs for music on this planet.”