The thought is causing a stir as the 67th Annual Grammy Awards approach, which will be held on Sunday, February 2, at Crypto.com Arena in downtown L.A., and the thought of wildfires, which are currently raging in Los Angeles, raises concerns about how the raging fires might delay or change the plans of music’s night.
Possible Delay?
Sources report that there have been discussions to potentially postpone the Grammys or have it become a fundraiser. One senior television executive said a postponement is even more likely given the fact that the area is being consumed by devastating wildfires now.
The fires, which are still burning, have resulted in deaths and destruction of property. Another source indicated that the situation will be reevaluated in the coming days to see if the event will push through as scheduled or be postponed. According to reports, Harvey Mason Jr., the head of the Recording Academy, is said to be looking into all possibilities.
During all this uncertainty around the Grammys, plans for a benefit concert to help people affected by wildfires are underway. The event, scheduled for January 30 at the Intuit Dome, is being organized by MusiCares, a Grammy Foundation helping music professionals in need. Live Nation, the Azoff family, and AEG Presents will be hosting the concert, which features a lineup of artists and broadcast partners yet to be confirmed.
However, the challenges of organizing such a big event during a natural disaster go beyond logistics. Many in the music industry are suffering personal losses after musicians lost instruments and label staff, including artists like Billie Eilish and The Weeknd workers, suffered greatly because of the fires.
Grammy Delays Before
This would not be the first time the Grammy Awards were postponed or cancelled. The event was moved from January to March in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, the event was postponed again, this time from January to April, after the rise of the Omicron variant. In 2022, the venue was also changed to Las Vegas, the first time the event was held outside Los Angeles.
