Grammy House's Secret Garden featured various moments for content capture, including a 20-foot Mastercard-branded boombox with giant speakers that guests could sit inside.Photo: Caitlyn Ridenour
LOS ANGELES—Music's biggest stars weren't the only things flooding downtown Los Angeles on Sunday night.
The 66th annual Grammy Awards took place Feb. 4 amid record rainfall, marking the wettest day the area has seen in more than 20 years. California Gov. Gavin Newsom may have declared a state of emergency for the city on Sunday afternoon—but for the A-listers inside Crypto.com Arena, the show carried on.
It was a ceremony of broken records, particularly for women. Taylor Swift became the first-ever artist to win Album of the Year four times (after announcing a surprise new album from the stage), Kacey Musgraves became the first artist to win all four country awards, Billie Eilish became the second woman to ever win two Song of the Year trophies, and boygenius became the first all-female group to win in both Best Rock Performance and Best Rock Song categories.
The night also included performances from legends like Joni Mitchell, Tracy Chapman, Billy Joel, and Stevie Wonder, along with a surprise appearance by Céline Dion.
But, of course, the fun couldn't be contained to just one room, with The Recording Academy, Universal Music Group, Spotify, Warner Music Group, and many others hosting their own Grammys celebrations both on Sunday night and throughout the week. Scroll down for a look inside the week's coolest bashes, which featured tons of trendy, colorful event design inspo—including LED-lined entrance tunnels, disco ball ceilings, giant branded boomboxes, and even a Cher-themed ice cream parlor.
The Recording Academy's Grammy Celebration
The Recording Academy’s official after-party took place at the Los Angeles Convention Center immediately following the award ceremony. Three-time Grammy winner NE-YO headlined the event, while SuperBlue: Kurt Elling and Charlie Hunter performed in the Grammy Celebration Jazz Lounge and Ben Bakson was the evening's DJ.
The event's 5,000 guests were treated to an eclectic, music festival-themed celebration. "I attended multiple music festivals in 2023 and it reinvigorated my passion for live music and the experience of seeing so many live acts over a few days in a massive space, so I wanted to pay tribute to all the music festivals around the world that bring joy to so many," explained Branden Chapman, COO of The Recording Academy.
The event's 5,000 guests were treated to an eclectic, music festival-themed celebration. "I attended multiple music festivals in 2023 and it reinvigorated my passion for live music and the experience of seeing so many live acts over a few days in a massive space, so I wanted to pay tribute to all the music festivals around the world that bring joy to so many," explained Branden Chapman, COO of The Recording Academy.
Photo: Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
"We turned our Jazz Lounge into an 'electric forest' to pay homage to the Electric Daisy Carnival music festival," added Chapman. "I thought the neon theme and light-up trees were impactful and beautiful. I was also thrilled with our stage design, and incorporating more laser lighting effects than we have used in the past."
Photo: Maury Phillips/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
"Also fitting with the music festival theme was how we put a focus on our evening’s DJ by wrapping his area in LED and putting it on a lift to create focus and attention, depending on the time of night and what else was happening onstage at that time," said Chapman.
Chapman added that the weekend's historic rainstorm was the biggest challenge facing the celebration. "Every year is unique, but all the planning could not account for this historic storm and how it affected our multiple Grammy week events. The good news is that guests really seemed to brave the elements and understand that while the outside may have been cold and damp, the Grammy Celebration was certainly hot and electrifying," he said. "You could feel the energy and heat as NE-YO performed his 75-minute set and Ben Bakson spun to a packed dance floor all night long."
Chapman added that the weekend's historic rainstorm was the biggest challenge facing the celebration. "Every year is unique, but all the planning could not account for this historic storm and how it affected our multiple Grammy week events. The good news is that guests really seemed to brave the elements and understand that while the outside may have been cold and damp, the Grammy Celebration was certainly hot and electrifying," he said. "You could feel the energy and heat as NE-YO performed his 75-minute set and Ben Bakson spun to a packed dance floor all night long."
Photo: Maury Phillips/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
Some fun facts: The event space had the square footage of more than five football fields placed side by side, and there were 550 lighting fixtures, with this year being the first the lighting was 100% LED. The celebration, which took a full week to build out, featured a menu with four main cuisines (barbecue, noodle, taco, and lobster), each intended to evoke the event's festival theme. "We put a strong focus on a variety of cuisine offerings versus leaning into a specific culture or regional fare," noted Chapman. "We had fun bringing in food trucks to match the theme of the event, but we delivered an elevated menu with a mix of catering and restaurant selections."
Levy, the hospitality partner at the Los Angeles Convention Center, presented this year's menu. Following the event, The Recording Academy once again partnered with the charitable organization Musically Fed—whose mission is to mobilize the music industry in the fight against hunger—to repurpose leftover food to feed those in need in the local community.
Levy, the hospitality partner at the Los Angeles Convention Center, presented this year's menu. Following the event, The Recording Academy once again partnered with the charitable organization Musically Fed—whose mission is to mobilize the music industry in the fight against hunger—to repurpose leftover food to feed those in need in the local community.
Photo: Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
The Recording Academy’s Grammy House Presented by Mastercard
The Recording Academy’s Grammy House returned for its second consecutive year from Feb. 1-3. Presented by Mastercard, the immersive pop-up at Rolling Greens in Downtown Los Angeles gathered music makers, culture creators, and rising industry leaders for three days of programming, including panels, emerging artist showcases, and parties. It drew attendees like Victoria Monét (pictured), who went on to win three Grammys including Best New Artist.
Photo: Unique Nicole/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
Within Grammy House, Mastercard created the Secret Garden, a lounge and interactive exhibit for guests and talent to relax and network in. The garden theme was inspired by Mastercard's Priceless Planet Coalition, which aims to preserve the environment through the restoration of 100 million trees in five years. Mastercard worked with marketing partner R&CPMK and fabrication partner Unboxed Group on the space.
Photo: Caitlyn Ridenour
Guests could stroll through a lush green setting full of real living plants, trees, and ivy. Highlights included an oversized gramophone, where the gold exterior was swapped for living moss, along with a live tree that was growing through a disco ball.
Photo: Caitlyn Ridenour
Grammy House's Secret Garden featured various moments for content capture, including a 20-foot Mastercard-branded boombox with giant speakers that guests could sit inside.
Photo: Caitlyn Ridenour
Guests could also walk inside a dreamy sunset landscape that brought the Mastercard "Priceless" album artwork to life.
Photo: Caitlyn Ridenour
Beyond the Secret Garden, Grammy House hosted panels on a colorful, floral-filled stage. Other programming highlights included the third annual #GRAMMYsNextGen Party, and The Latin Recording Academy exhibited a time capsule that showcased important and memorable moments of Latin Grammy history. Grammy House concluded with the debut of Academy Proud, The Recording Academy's new initiative dedicated to uplifting the LGBTQIA+ community.
"I am so excited for this second installment of Grammy House," said Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of The Recording Academy, in a press release. "The response last year from younger fans and artists just starting their relationship with The Recording Academy was overwhelming, and we're a better organization because of the increased engagement with them."
"I am so excited for this second installment of Grammy House," said Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of The Recording Academy, in a press release. "The response last year from younger fans and artists just starting their relationship with The Recording Academy was overwhelming, and we're a better organization because of the increased engagement with them."
Photo: Anna Webber/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
SZA & TDE Official After-Party
TDE (Top Dawg Entertainment) closed Grammy weekend with a star-studded soiree celebrating SZA's blockbuster year, which included winning four Grammys. The invite-only after-party also celebrated the label's 20th anniversary, along with its 80-plus Grammy nominations since its inception. The evening was produced by The Pāvé Group, which brought to life pivotal moments from SZA's career with a special focus on her multiplatinum album, SOS.
Photo: Mat Hayward/Getty Images for The Pāvé Group
!['This year SZA had was monumental—sold-out tour, No. 1 album, and to top it off with being the most Grammy-nominated of the night—[so] the design had to meet the magnitude of the moment,' explained The Pāvé Group's founder, Sasha Lance. 'To commemorate the journey, I wanted to take people through her CTRL era (different shades of green, moss, beautiful plant life) to the SOS era (aquatic, oceanic, deep blues).'](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2024/02/1987389187.65c15e9ea5702.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
"This year SZA had was monumental—sold-out tour, No. 1 album, and to top it off with being the most Grammy-nominated of the night—[so] the design had to meet the magnitude of the moment," explained The Pāvé Group's founder, Sasha Lance. "To commemorate the journey, I wanted to take people through her CTRL era (different shades of green, moss, beautiful plant life) to the SOS era (aquatic, oceanic, deep blues)."
Photo: Mat Hayward/Getty Images for The Pāvé Group
"To make it an immersive experience, we re-created some of her most impactful moments from the tour, with positioning the diving board, the boat, and the lighthouse," added Lance. "I wanted people to feel like they walked through a truncated timeline of how we arrived at her historic night."
Attendees included Keke Palmer, Chris Brown, Storm Reid, Backstreet Boy AJ McLean, and, of course, SZA herself.
Attendees included Keke Palmer, Chris Brown, Storm Reid, Backstreet Boy AJ McLean, and, of course, SZA herself.
Photo: Mat Hayward/Getty Images for The Pāvé Group
Caviar Kaspia’s new Los Angeles location hosted a chic Caviar Lounge for the night’s VIP guests. There was also a curated tequila lounge from Gran Coramino, and late-night chicken sliders and tenders by Bangin’ Buns.
Photo: Mat Hayward/Getty Images for The Pāvé Group
New Balance gifted its new 990 running shoes to guests.
Photo: Mat Hayward/Getty Images for The Pāvé Group
2024 Recording Academy Honors Presented by the Black Music Collective
Grammy-winning artists Mariah Carey and Lenny Kravitz were honored with the Recording Academy Global Impact Award at the third annual Recording Academy Honors Presented by the Black Music Collective (BMC) held on Feb. 1 at The Fairmont Century Plaza. The 1,000-person gala was designed and produced by MVD Inc.
Photo: Jorge Meza
MVD Inc’s co-founder and creative director Massah David wanted to celebrate the transformative and transcendent nature of Black music. “We really wanted to reflect that Black music is the birthplace of all music," she said. "From afro beats to rock to jazz, Black music has been the foundation spanning genres. So we wove that concept into every touch point; from the event design to the show, we centered this year’s theme: Black Music Is…”
Photo: Jorge Meza
The event, which was sponsored by Amazon Music and City National Bank, offered a plethora of eye-catching installations, including a multi-entry intersectional LED tunnel.
The evening included performances by Yolanda Adams, Babyface, Busta Rhymes, Erica Campbell, George Clinton, Davido, Andra Day, Mannie Fresh, Tori Kelly, Quavo, Gabby Samone, Chad Smith, Andrew Watt, Verdine White, and Stevie Wonder, with appearances by H.E.R and Rico Love, chair of the BMC. "We took guests on a journey from the Continent to the Diaspora," said MVD Inc. executive producer Nerenda Eid on working with musical director Adam Blackstone. "The audience’s enthusiastic response to the curation of the wide variety of artists and musical genres together on one stage was indicative that Black music is not monolithic; it is a continuum of celebration and hope.”
The evening included performances by Yolanda Adams, Babyface, Busta Rhymes, Erica Campbell, George Clinton, Davido, Andra Day, Mannie Fresh, Tori Kelly, Quavo, Gabby Samone, Chad Smith, Andrew Watt, Verdine White, and Stevie Wonder, with appearances by H.E.R and Rico Love, chair of the BMC. "We took guests on a journey from the Continent to the Diaspora," said MVD Inc. executive producer Nerenda Eid on working with musical director Adam Blackstone. "The audience’s enthusiastic response to the curation of the wide variety of artists and musical genres together on one stage was indicative that Black music is not monolithic; it is a continuum of celebration and hope.”
Photo: Jorge Meza
For this year's Gramophone installation, David wanted the florals to appear to ascend into the ceiling to represent the odds-defying power of Black music, she noted.
MVD worked with Ryan Butler, vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion at The Recording Academy and staff advisor of the BMC, who said: “The Recording Academy Honors has fostered a new tradition, creating space for us to honor and applaud Black music icons for their many achievements and embrace the unique beauty of our shared musical journey.”
MVD worked with Ryan Butler, vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion at The Recording Academy and staff advisor of the BMC, who said: “The Recording Academy Honors has fostered a new tradition, creating space for us to honor and applaud Black music icons for their many achievements and embrace the unique beauty of our shared musical journey.”
Photo: Jorge Meza
In addition to the programming for the evening, music executive and renowned photographer Lenny S curated the Icons Gallery at the event, an art activation paying tribute to generations of influential Black music icons.
Other vendors included 1540 Productions, who handled the step-and-repeat, the Icons Gallery, and the Black Music Is... alcoves; ASOAE, who handled the stage; Revelry, MTB, and Signature Party Rentals, who handled rentals; Tic-Tock, who handled florals; and Above the Line, who handled audiovisual production.
Other vendors included 1540 Productions, who handled the step-and-repeat, the Icons Gallery, and the Black Music Is... alcoves; ASOAE, who handled the stage; Revelry, MTB, and Signature Party Rentals, who handled rentals; Tic-Tock, who handled florals; and Above the Line, who handled audiovisual production.
Photo: Jorge Meza
Warner Music Group's Pre-Grammys Party
Warner Music Group’s annual Grammy kickoff celebration took place Feb. 1 at Citizen News. The evening honored the company's 2024 Grammy-nominated artists and songwriters such as Janelle Monáe, Skrillex, Joni Mitchell, Metallica, Kelly Clarkson, 21 Savage, and more.
Photo: Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Warner Music
The event featured live performances by Charli XCX and Teddy Swims, and was produced by the Warner Music global events team.
Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Warner Music
The team opted for an event design that transformed the venue into a midcentury loft-inspired nightclub utilizing wood paneling, floral installations, and eclectic patterns.
Photo: Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Warner Music
In a Canva-sponsored photo lounge, guests could capture high-quality motion video for their social media feeds.
Photo: Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Warner Music
The evening included a fully sustainable vegetarian/vegan menu curated by chef Evan Funke’s Hollywood hot spot Mother Wolf. As a special treat, Warner Music artist Cher's new ice cream brand, Cherlato, hosted its first-ever Ice Cream Parlour, spotlighting a variety of flavors including a special recipe by Cher’s mother.
Photo: Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Warner Music
Spotify’s Best New Artist Party
On Feb. 1, Spotify hosted its annual Best New Artist party at Paramount Studios in Hollywood. Returning to Los Angeles for its seventh year, the night honored this year’s Best New Artist nominees Gracie Abrams, Fred Again, Coco Jones, Noah Kahan, Victoria Monét, Jelly Roll, Ice Spice, and The War and Treaty.
Photo: Gonzalo Marroquin/Getty Images for Spotify
The night featured live performances from the nominees (including Coco Jones, pictured) and special DJ sets from Ladies of Leisure and HoneyLuv.
Photo: Gonzalo Marroquin/Getty Images for Spotify
The space was decorated with lush greenery and Spotify logos.
Photo: Gonzalo Marroquin/Getty Images for Spotify
Party sponsor Dunkin’ brought a bespoke menu to the experience through coffee, doughnuts, custom cocktails, and exclusive merch.
Photo: Maury Phillips/Getty Images for Spotify
Universal Music Group’s After-Party
Following the award show, Universal Music Group hosted its 2024 After Party, presented by Coke Studio and Merz Aesthetics’ #SmartTox with support from Intel Core Ultra. The evening celebrated the company's wins of the evening, including Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, boygenius, SZA, Jack Antonoff, Killer Mike, Samara Joy, Coco Jones, Chris Stapleton, Allison Russell, and Karol G.
This year, UMG teamed up with climate action champions REVERB and Three Squares Inc. to implement a comprehensive sustainability plan that would reduce the environmental footprint of the event and inspire more sustainable practices within the music industry. The party featured sustainable elements throughout, including a Design for Reuse strategy that prioritized reusable materials from drapery to upcycled furnishings. In one area, a video wall, powered by the new Intel Core Ultra processor, featured AI-assisted artwork created by artist Krislyn Meyer-Komarov along with Dina Chang and Tim Saccenti from Setta Studio.
This year, UMG teamed up with climate action champions REVERB and Three Squares Inc. to implement a comprehensive sustainability plan that would reduce the environmental footprint of the event and inspire more sustainable practices within the music industry. The party featured sustainable elements throughout, including a Design for Reuse strategy that prioritized reusable materials from drapery to upcycled furnishings. In one area, a video wall, powered by the new Intel Core Ultra processor, featured AI-assisted artwork created by artist Krislyn Meyer-Komarov along with Dina Chang and Tim Saccenti from Setta Studio.
Photo: Anna Webber/Getty Images for Universal Music Group
The main space featured vintage theatrical drapes evoking nostalgia, juxtaposed with modern furnishings and a repurposed studio prop transformed into a DJ booth. UMG enrolled the artists of O.M. Studio to further enhance the ambiance with hand-welded candelabras and organic sculptures.
Photo: Anna Webber/Getty Images for Universal Music Group
In the main bar, a cloudlike back bar structure crafted from white metal grid panels was complemented by organic sculptures and comfortable seating arrangements.
Anna Webber/Getty Images for Universal Music Group
The entrance tent, sponsored by Coke Studio, boasted modern red furniture, LED light walls, and rotating graphics.
Photo: Anna Webber/Getty Images for Universal Music Group
The event also included a waste diversion and composting strategy, which entailed three-stream waste stations collecting compost, recycling, and landfill items, with local nonprofit Compostable LA on site to support composting efforts. UMG also installed water refill stations throughout the venue.
In collaboration with Bruce’s Catering, the menu design was 100% meatless, locally sourced, and carbon neutral. Excess food from the event was donated to Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission.
In collaboration with Bruce’s Catering, the menu design was 100% meatless, locally sourced, and carbon neutral. Excess food from the event was donated to Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission.
Photo: Anna Webber/Getty Images for Universal Music Group
MusiCares Person of the Year Benefit
The MusiCares Person of the Year benefit gala honoring Grammy winner Jon Bon Jovi took place Feb. 2 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The 33rd annual benefit gala was hosted by Grammy-nominated comedian Jim Gaffigan and included a cocktail reception immediately followed by a dinner and tribute concert. Since 1991, money raised from the gala has gone toward providing essential support for MusiCares programs and services assisting the music community in times of need, including physical and mental health, addiction recovery, preventive clinics, unforeseen personal emergencies, and disaster relief.
Photo: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
Artists like Melissa Etheridge, Bruce Springsteen, Shania Twain, and The Goo Goo Dolls performed tributes to Bon Jovi’s legacy. The event was produced by live event broadcast outfit Lewis & Clark, made up of Joe Lewis and R.A. Clark, with Rob Mathes as musical director.
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for The Recording AcademyGetty Images for the Recording Academy
In a fun photo op, a hologram of Bon Jovi—created by Proto—was available for pics with attendees.
Photo: Steven Hong for Proto Hologram
W Magazine, Mark Ronson, and Gucci’s Grammy After-Party
W Magazine, Mark Ronson, and Gucci hosted a Grammys after-party at Bar Marmont. Guests at the disco ball-filled affair included Selena Gomez, Barry Keoghan, Kacey Musgraves, Shania Twain, Ed Sheeran, John Legend, Trevor Noah, Demi Lovato, and more.
Photo: Jerritt Clark/Getty Images for W Magazine
Attendees celebrated with PATRÓN EL ALTO, the exclusive spirits sponsor of the night, and danced to DJ sets by Mark Ronson, Ross One, Drewbyrd, and Alex Chapman. Audi, the official vehicle sponsor for the evening, provided a chauffeured fleet of fully electric Audi Q8 e-tron vehicles.
Photo: Jerritt Clark/Getty Images for W Magazine
Pre-Grammy Gala & Grammy Salute to Industry Icons Honoring Jon Platt
Chuck D and Flavor Flav of Public Enemy performed onstage during the Pre-Grammy Gala & Grammy Salute to Industry Icons Honoring Jon Platt, which took place Feb. 4 at The Beverly Hilton.
Photo: Monica Schipper/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
GQ x Grand Marnier’s Grammy Party
On Feb. 3, Grand Marnier and GQ global editorial director Will Welch hosted a pre-Grammys party to celebrate the 13 combined nominations of boygenius, Jason Isbell, and Killer Mike. DJ J. Rocc performed.
Photo: Presley Ann/Getty Images for GQ
Grand Marnier x The Roots Jam Brunch
Earlier that day, Grand Marnier teamed up with The Roots to host a star-studded brunch at Citizen News Lounge in honor of Tariq Trotter’s 11th Grammy nomination. Notable attendees included Wale, Armani White, Lucky Daye, Jonica Booth, Black Thought (pictured), and more.
Photo: Getty Images for Grand Marnier
