There was plenty to buzz about from the on-stage moments at the Recording Academy’s Grammy Awards—from Beyoncé’s goddess-like performance to Adele’s goof and reset on live TV during a tribute to the late George Michael. But beyond the action from the main stage at the 59th annual event at Los Angeles’s Staples Center, there was also much to discuss from the party scene around town on the big night and in the days leading up to the show.
This year, parties seemed to embrace a colorful, vibrant color palette and mood—in contrast with some of the production and decor themes that emerged from the Golden Globes earlier in award season. And another big theme was nostalgia, with hosts seizing on ideas like vintage ticket stubs and even a revival of an old-school record store to entice guests.
Here are 23 ideas from the parties surrounding the annual award show known as “Music’s Biggest Night."
Angel City Designs' look for the huge bash was a modernist take on Shakespeare’s classic “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” The party’s production used three distinct lighting and scenic looks: silhouettes of trees through the morning mist, followed by warming color hues to evoke a day getting brighter, and then a sunset through a forest, which included a diffused lighting glow meant to represent the Aurora Borealis. ShowPro handled the lighting and video projection.
The Recording Academy’s official Grammy after-party, known as the Grammy Celebration, followed the awards next door to Staples at the Los Angeles Convention Center’s West Hall. Produced by the Recording Academy’s Brandon Chapman and Rex Supa, working with Angel City Designs, the event drew its traditionally massive crowd of 5,000.
Aerialists performed from within a dramatic green-draped cube.
A neon-green outline of the recognizable shape of an Absolut bottle served as an entrance into a platform bar area, designed and produced by MKG.
Flowers from CJ Matsumoto & Sons topped tables with varying linens meant to conjure various natural environments.
Roaming performers wore fanciful costumes, and entertainment came from Kool and the Gang and Gavin DeGraw.
Patina’s catering included edible flowers on desserts, meant to conjure natural and fanciful environments.
Essence kicked off Grammy weekend with its eighth annual Black Women in Music event at NeueHouse Hollywood, sponsored by Lincoln and Absolut, featuring live performances from Erykah Badu and Tiwa Savage.
Gold Sky Productions designed the event, where a color-blocking theme lent a bold, graphic look.
A floral and succulent wall announced sponsor Lincoln.
Logo pillows in black popped against textural white seating groups.
Desserts served on a roving cart bore the event's messaging.
Presented by American Airlines and Citi at the Ace Hotel following the Grammys, Universal Music Group’s event included a chic candlelit bar bearing the sponsors' names.
An angular, illuminated structure overhead lent a graphic, modern look to the party space.
Lucian Grainge’s Artist Showcase at the Theatre at Ace Hotel on February 11 gave attendees access to Universal Music Group’s established and up-and-coming talent through performances. A gallery-style wall included sponsors' names—Citi and American Airlines presented—as well as a place for talent to add signatures.
A range of old-school concert stubs—from a time when people saved them as souvenirs, before digital ticketing was the norm—arranged under a glass tabletop created eye-catching, on-theme decor.
Republic Records, in partnership with Absolut and Pryma, hosted a February 12 event at Catch, where, painted models drew attention.
On February 12, CAA hosted a Grammy party at Hyde with nominees and past winners in attendance including Stevie Wonder, Boy George, and others. There, marquee-style lettering spelled out the agency’s name against a wooden-slat wall, and carnival string lights hung over head.
Mastercard opened a record store in the former Tower Records location in the week leading up to the Grammys. The #Thankthefans House at Gibson Brands Sunset (formerly Tower) offered a taste of old-school-style record store nostalgia, with vinyl listening stations, a recording booth, Gibson guitar displays, and other activations. BMF Media produced the pop-up event.
The program kicked off on February 8 with a performance by Best Country Album nominee Brandy Clark and the band Temecula Road, as well as an industry panel discussion featuring industry pros.
Official Grammy partner Delta Air Lines hosted its pre-awards event on February 9 at Beauty & Essex, adjacent to the new Dream Hollywood hotel. New this year, celebrities on the red carpet were asked to stop and sign two oversize metallic airplanes, mimicking the form of paper airplanes, which decorated the arrivals line.
For every unique signature, Delta committed to donate $1,000 to the Grammy Museum, where one of the planes will live. The second plane will be displayed at the Delta Museum in Atlanta.
Decorative objects within the MKG-produced party space echoed the angular look of the paper plane motif.
