Every performance at the 2024 Grammy Awards, ranked from worst to best
An emotional debut for Joni Mitchell, strong energy from Dua Lipa and Olivia Rodrigo, a disappointing turn from U2, and so much more from music's biggest night
Music Features Grammy Awards
Top: Joni Mitchell and Brandi Carlile; Middle: Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs; Bottom: Olivia Rodrigo (All photos: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy) Graphic: The A.V. Club
The 66th Grammy Awards were filled with drama, emotion, and plenty of surprises—and that was just during the star-studded performances that made up the bulk of the 3.5-hour telecast. Music’s biggest night delivered its share of hits—including a long-overdue debut appearance by the legendary Joni Mitchell, and a strong opening number by Dua Lipa—along with a handful of misses. We’ve ranked every performance, from U2’s remote appearance from the Sphere in Las Vegas to a lengthy multi-part In Memoriam segment that utilized the likes of Stevie Wonder, Annie Lennox, and Jon Batiste. Read on to see how the stars stacked up on Sunday night.
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In Memoriam: Stevie Wonder, Annie Lennox, Jon Batiste, Fantasia BarrinoFuck, there’s a heading that stopped my heart for a second.
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No kidding. I read that and was like WTF, when did they all die?
You put them all together on stage, you’re just tempting fate. We need a Designated Survivor situation.
I don’t understand the Grammy’s loyalty to U2. Like who’s asking for this band to perform this year, when some newer, younger bands would have benefited from a full performance over their tired droll year after year. Honestly nothing against U2 but they are taking up oxygen and is such a tired part of this show. Grammys prove to be, once more, so disconnected and irrelevant and run by a bunch of dusty white men.
The Grammy’s are supposed to benefit the music industry, not the musicians.
The musicians ARE the music industry. Further proof of absolute irrelevance.
Perhaps they want to attract viewers over 40? I like some of the younger artists, but Joni Mitchell, U2, and Billy Joel fit my demographic way better.
Perhaps they want to attract viewers over 40?
A current 40 year old would have been a 4 year old toddler when U2 was at peak fame.
Everyone else you listed is fine with me. It’s U2. They perform every year. Sick of their tired shite. Also, I’m 40 years old. I’m not young, either. I’m not complaining about the music, my only gripe is with this one band.
…and yet they don’t. You repeating it doesn’t make it anymore true. They’ve only played the Grammys a handful of times since “The Joshua Tree”, their first nominations in 1988.
“…over their tired droll year after year. Honestly nothing against U2 but they are taking up oxygen and is such a tired part of this show.”Pretty much sounds like you have something against them.
You’re right. I was being a hypocrite. I have EVERYTHING against them. They play the Grammys every year, and it’s like they have some kind of dirt on the Recording Academy’s board members because… nothing else makes sense.
…they last played at the Grammys SIX YEARS AGO! Before that, it was 2018, then 2007.Maybe it has something to do with the fact they get nominated a lot.
Unfortunately, I have to agree, and it’s not even simply the music.The way U2 offshored money, shorting Ireland of taxes while still claiming it as a home (in all meanings of the term), was just too much. Bono’s goddam interviews on the subject afterwards – where he completely mischaracterized the situation and his ethical responsibility – is one reason why it’s so hard to find a U2 fan in Ireland. (I have a grad degree in International Finance, but a layperson can easily see through this garbage.) ‘Taking up oxygen’ is a perfect metaphor for where they are now.
It’s not the music OR the taxes—it’s those dorky rose-tinted glasses.
i’d assume that it’s promotion for the sphere.
Not everything has to be for the young ‘uns. If I hafta sit through the candypop idol of the milli-second you can tolerate U2. A little something for everyone is fine.
On one hand, I agree with you. There are far better, relevant bands that could have been suggested. Take your pick of any of the Hall-of-Fame bands if one needs a bit of a head scratch. The other hand says “wait, they were the ONLY band that played.” The rest were just vocalists (memoriam and Chapman abstained from conversation).
They’re the biggest rock band in the world, with a new song (which is…fine). No way they’re not playing.
I love U2, but that song is not it. I remember the first time I heard it and was completely underwhelmed. I’m hoping whatever they’re working on as far as an album is better, but they haven’t really been right since No Line on the Horizon.
…are they though? Kind lame if true.
They might be. “Rock” as a genre is not really as big as it once was, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they are the biggest representation of it at this time. I hate U2 also, for the record.
If a random Billy Joel song had to be picked for the end of the Grammys, “It’s Still Rock & Roll to Me” would have been more thematically appropriate.I agree that all of the In Memorium songs didn’t seem sad enough.
I agree with you in concept. But — and I say this as a loyal, diehard Bill Joel fan who first discovered him during live radio performance of Captain Jack about 50 years ago: Still Rock and Roll is a bore.The opening verses drone on. You May be Right is a far better song. Apparently he agrees! 🙂
Also I’m a bit peeved they didn’t do any highlight for Gordon Lightfoot, you know one of the three most beloved Canadian folk singers ever. But to be fair, reality gave him the greatest send off with the Mariners Church ringing the bell 30 times.
The Grammys, it’s said, never honors its deadCause dead Canucks make them feel gloomy
Wow, thanks for mentioning that as I did not know the Church did that. Just watched it on YouTube. Very moving.
Yeah. I saw him in September 2022 in Columbus. He looked real bad, had to have an oxygen mask every 15 minutes. Was in good spirits and made jokes about death and dying and if anyone wanted free oxygen so that was swell.You couldn’t write a better ending to that mans career. The church he made famous, the 29 men he made immortal, the families who are eternally thankful, it all combined so beautifully that I cannot help but tear up just remembering it. He wrote many songs, most of them lovely and romantic, but if a man has to be known for one song, then there isn’t a drop of shame that its Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.
well, he was there to perform his brand new song, so there’s that.
Thank you for sharing
Your write-up on Miley is missing one crucial fact… her performance, from every “exaggerated move” to her outfit to performing like “a rockstar by way of Vegas”, was clearly a Tina Turner tribute.
The hair is an absolute give away
Chapman was without doubt the highlight of the night, just an incredible performance. It’s great to see Mitchell performing, and her voice is in much better shape that it was, but past the emotional weight of it, it’s not the best performance of the night, (and I say that as a huge fan of hers).
Agreed….Chapman was impeccable. She hasn’t lost one note and she is aging beautifully. Just hearing the crowd swell when they realized she was there to sing along with Combs and her grin spreading as she experiences how beloved her song was to everyone there…..I rolled a tear myself.These were people who grew up on that song and were right there with Luke in telling her how much it meant to them as kids and teens. I loved that they showed snips of the audience in it with Taylor herself singing along and basking in the moment.Even after the first chorus, the crowd was absolutely letting her know they loved it….you could tell she was getting a bit misty in it too. And props to Luke for turning his performance down to let her shine. It was a total moment. I loved it….and I usually hate award shows.
That song is a true modern classic, and Combs is right – the feelings it evokes are absolutely universal.
Jon Batiste did an admirable job with a pair of Bill Withers songs(“Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Lean on Me”) in honor of Clarence Avant, the “Black Godfather” of the music biz*and Sounds of Blackness’ “Optimistic”
“Flowers” sounds like Bruno Mars’s “When I Was Your Man” and the new Billy Joel song sounds like Boyz II Men’s “End of the Road.” What is happening!?
You’re so close….
I’m very happy about “Fast Car”. I myself have grown from a clueless 80s kid thinking “Oh no it’s that boring slow song” to “How dare anyone try to approach that masterpiece”. I still don’t understand what Combs thought he was bringing to the song, but I’m glad to see Chapman get her resulting due and that he seems to truly respect her.
I was honestly surprised the first time I heard his cover because it seems like one of those songs that is so personal and wrapped around the artist herself that covering it felt arrogant.
why are Dua Lipa’s stage costumer always too short and overly sexy? Not that I mind but still, she never looks quite comfortable in her outfits.
I think her voice is enough of a selling point now.
Joni is my favorite folk singer so of course I teared up seeing her sing. Very glad recent years have kind to her.But ummmm… maybe don’t mention Judy Collins in the same paragraph. Joni will get out of hey chair and beat you, lordy does she loath Collins.
I love Billie Eilish style but I didn’t have “Dresses like my dead grandma” on my bingo card for the grammys
She’s wearing a vintage Barbie look!https://people.com/2024-grammys-billie-eilish-poodle-parade-barbie-style-8558644I’m glad she’s a younger artists that’s not showing much skin and is successful due to her talent, and what a talent. So refreshing. Good for her. I mean, Doja Cat and Miley Cyrus basically walked the red carpet naked this weekend, and good on Eilish for being the one who did none of that.
It’s hard for me to express how much I love Joni Mitchell. It is fantastic that she has been able to make limited performance appearances (in large part due to Brandi Carlisle, yay!) and I am absolutely delighted that newer generations are learning of her musical genius. There is a reason that so many musicians in so many genres of music revere her work.
I’d swap Olivia Rodrigo down to Miley’s spot, put Miley in 3rd and Tracey Chapman in 2nd..
Anyone ugly cry during Joni Mitchell’s performance? Or was it just me?
I cried while watching a film of her actual post-aneurysm debut, at the 2022 Newport Folk Festival.
If you don’t cry during that, IMNSO, there is something seriously wrong with you.
you were not alone!
Super ugly. She was my moms favorite artist, I learned that only after she died. Both Sides Now is a song I always reflect on the meaning, something is lost and gained in living every day indeed. Circle Game is my emotional release valve, play the notes and I’m a mess. Seeing her on stage, after almost dying a decade ago, with a lovely voice mostly intact, beloved by many, rightfully praised as one of the best. How couldn’t I?
Billie Eilish is a young woman who’s excited to get old and be cat lady in your neighborhood.
Reduced to ranking awards show performances?
Brandi Carlile’s outfit is… something.