On Sunday, the Grammy Awards returned to New York, delivering a telecast packed with high-powered performances, politically-charged moments, and thoughtful tributes.
Held at Madison Square Garden, the award show, which was celebrating its 60th anniversary, honored the Big Apple with plenty of Empire State references, a nod to Broadway, and even an attempt at subway car karaoke with host James Corden. The show, however, saw a 24-percent drop in ratings from last year’s broadcast.
After 15 years, the Recording Academy was back in the city that never sleeps, allowing sponsors, record labels, and brands to plan a busy week of nonstop parties, concerts, and events leading up to the big show. This year, like most of the season’s award shows so far, the festivities acknowledged the ongoing fight against sexual harassment in the entertainment industry, with white roses being the signifying symbol of the movement for Grammy guests.
Here’s a look at the parties and events that filled the Grammy Week calendar.
The 60th Grammy Awards took place January 28 at Madison Square Garden.
As part of its Start Something Priceless campaign, Mastercard hosted a week-long series of performances and chats from January 22 to 27. Mastercard House, which was produced by BMF Media, opened with a fireside chat with nominee SZA.
A neon-lit Manhattan skyline that nodded to the host city served as the stage backdrop.
Guests could scan the QR codes on an album display wall in order to purchase them on site.
Absolut Lime and Spotify teamed up for a pre-Grammy celebration that featured a performance by Rita Ora in honor of the Open Mic Project, an initiative from Absolut that asks fans to share their stories of acceptance in an effort to create a more open world. The event was held on January 25 at the Public Hotel.
The party, which was produced by creative agency MKG, featured dangling lime decor over the bar, along with a neon green Absolut "infinity bottle," a digital wheatpaste wall, and a custom T-shirt distressing station.
Harley Viera-Newton spun tunes inside a DJ booth built to resemble a lock with keyhole during the Warner Music Group celebration, in association with V Magazine, on January 25 at the Grill. Guests sipped on cocktails courtesy of Hennessy, which were themed around nominated artists, including champagne cocktails named “Bodak Bubbles” and “24K Twinkle.”
At Essence’s Black Women in Music event, held January 25 at the Highline Ballroom, Janet Jackson made a surprise appearance, presenting the evening’s honor to Missy Elliott. The event was produced and designed by event planner April Luca of Gold Sky Productions, along with Jovanca Maitland, director of live events and experiential at Essence.
The event’s color palette was Pantone’s color of the year, ultra violet, featuring deep purples and metallic accents. Branding for the evening’s sponsors Lincoln and AT&T was also incorporated into the decor.
Pillows featuring the night’s award recipient Missy Elliot dotted the seating areas.
On January 25, Delta Air Lines kicked off Grammy weekend with its annual party, which was produced by creative agency MKG, at the Bowery Hotel. As part of the decor, a creative cymbal installation with the signature Grammys gramophone offered up a cool photo op.
A giant LED wall responded to guests’ movements and the music.
The backdrop of the DJ booth featured subway tile-inspired decor as an ode to the Grammys' return to New York.
At Universal Music Group’s after-party, which was presented by American Airlines and Citi and held at Spring Studios on Sunday, American Airlines flight attendants welcomed guests into a hidden speakeasy, where they sipped on signature cocktails that are available at the airlines’ flagship lounges. The House of Rémy Martin served the curated cocktails. During the party, Citi showcased Art-Object Boomboxes. Inspired by New York street artist Faust, the collection commemorated some Universal Music Group artists who were nominated for Grammys. The boomboxes will be donated to Musicians on Call to be auctioned for charity.
Event designer Preston Bailey created a pre-Grammy party for the Langham, New York, hotel on January 25, featuring a giant ice sculpture in the shape of the Grammys’ signature gramophone.
The tablescape included a ceiling installation with strands of crystals and floral orbs, while the tabletop was decorated with an oversize floral gramophone made of yellow and orange blooms.
Hosted by the Points Guy Brian Kelly, the January 23 event allowed guests to explore the travel website’s top destinations for 2018: Morocco, Iceland, India, and Mexico City. The audiovisual journey, which was produced by creative agency Fake Love, transported guests to each locale without leaving the space. Every 30 minutes, the room transformed into a new destination, with wrap-around projections and music depicting each culture. The event was held at Public Arts on the Lower East Side.
On Sunday, Steven Tyler and Live Nation joined forces for the inaugural Janie’s Fund gala and Grammy Awards viewing party at Red Studios Hollywood. The evening featured a live viewing of the awards telecast, along with a multi-course dinner designed by Trisha Yearwood, plus performances. Proceeds from the event benefited Janie’s Fund, an initiative created by Tyler in partnership with Youth Villages to help young women who have suffered the trauma of abuse and neglect. The benefit raised more than $2.4 million.
Similar to past years, Universal Music Group and Sir Lucian Grainge hosted performances by emerging and established talent, including Luis Fonsi, Julia Michaels, Migos, and Kacey Musgraves. This year’s event, which was held at Spring Studios on January 27, was presented by American Airlines and Citi, with support from Rémy Martin, and featured light bites.
In support of the Time’s Up movement, a campaign to combat sexual assault and harassment in the entertainment industry, many of the Grammy attendees wore white roses during the week and to the award show.
On January 27, Roc Nation hosted a pre-Grammys brunch at One World Observatory in downtown Manhattan. The guest list included big-name celebs like Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, DJ Khaled, and Big Sean. Throughout the brunch, guests sipped on Champagne Armand de Brignac from specialty bottles.
London artist JGoldcrown created one of his signature heart-adorned paintings for a photo backdrop at the Republic Records pre-Grammy party, which was hosted in partnership with Cadillac, Barclays Center, and Ciroc at Cadillac House on January 26. Attendees included Lorde, Julia Michaels, Hailee Steinfeld, James Bay, Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid, Hailee Baldwin, and others.
The Nielsen Entertainment party, held January 26 at the Pool (formerly the Four Seasons restaurant), was produced by music sponsorship and activation agency MAC Presents and featured performances by Khalid, Jade Bird, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and DJ Michelle Pesce.
Since diamonds represent a 60th anniversary, the Academy incorporated diamond-shaped ice sculptures into the shrimp cocktail display at its official after-party, known as the Grammy Celebration, which was held at the Marriott Marquis immediately following the award show.
In the ballroom, event design and production company Angel City Designs created large hanging floral and crystal installations, which were suspended above the serving stations.
On January 26, Citi celebrated Grammy-nominated artist Khalid with a party inspired by his album American Teen. Held at the Vinyl Room at the Soho House, the event, which was produced by MAC Presents, featured a variety of teenage-theme treats from Baked by Melissa and Pretty Sweet, including a candy mosaic made to resemble a varsity jacket.
At the John Varvatos x Nick Jonas collaboration launch party, guests sipped on “hot-tails” by Stillhouse. Drink options included a “Temperature Toddy” with tequila served at 134 degrees and an “Apple Cinder” with whiskey served at 131 degrees. The event took place at the Angel Orensanz Foundation on January 27.
