LOS ANGELES—What's cooler than the Grammys? The performance-packed award ceremony is always overflowing with event and stage design inspo (not to mention the fashion)—and the 2023 show was no exception.
The 65th annual Grammy Awards were held at the Crypto.com Arena (formerly known as the Staples Center) on Sunday, Feb. 5. Comedian Trevor Noah hosted for the third consecutive year, while performers included Harry Styles, Bad Bunny, Mary J. Blige, Steve Lacy, Lizzo, Stevie Wonder, Kacey Musgraves, and many more. This year's show also saw Beyoncé become The Recording Academy's most-awarded artist of all time (despite a surprise win from Styles for Album of the Year), and a star-studded 50th-anniversary tribute to rap music.
With so much star power descending on Los Angeles, it's no surprise that the pre- and post-ceremony celebrations drew plenty of buzz on their own. From The Recording Academy's over-the-top, bird-inspired after-party to glamorous pre-Grammys events from brands like Spotify, Grey Goose, and Warner Music Group, here's a look inside the week's coolest VIP events...
The Recording Academy’s Grammy Celebration
Perhaps the biggest event of the week—the Recording Academy’s own Grammy Celebration, a 5,000-guest after-party that took place at the Los Angeles Convention Center immediately following the Feb. 5 award ceremony. The private, ticketed event featured a “take flight” theme—complete with a bird-filled sanctuary and other touches, like an aviary, a nest, a pond, and a phoenix-adorned stage where featured act Flo Rida performed.
“This year’s inspiration came to me one day when I was looking up at the sky in Palm Springs, seeing the birds flying above and thinking of how excited I was to come out of the post-COVID-era-style events and return to the full scope and production of the past,” Branden Chapman, chief operating officer and head of entertainment at The Recording Academy, told BizBash in a pre-event interview. “It felt like a new horizon was ahead and that we would 'take flight' and soar in terms of our creative freedom to deliver this event on the scale we had previously been accustomed.” Longtime collaborators Angel City Designs worked with Chapman’s team on the design, decor, and production for the evening.
“This year’s inspiration came to me one day when I was looking up at the sky in Palm Springs, seeing the birds flying above and thinking of how excited I was to come out of the post-COVID-era-style events and return to the full scope and production of the past,” Branden Chapman, chief operating officer and head of entertainment at The Recording Academy, told BizBash in a pre-event interview. “It felt like a new horizon was ahead and that we would 'take flight' and soar in terms of our creative freedom to deliver this event on the scale we had previously been accustomed.” Longtime collaborators Angel City Designs worked with Chapman’s team on the design, decor, and production for the evening.
Photo: Sean Twomey/Arche Creative
The massive event had the square footage of more than five football fields placed side-by-side. There were 851 lighting fixtures and 65 miles worth of cable, and the event used 2,403 amps of power. Lighting and video was handled by ShowPro, while Eggs&Bacon handled technical logistics and production.
Photo: Sean Twomey/Arche Creative
![Chapman's main goal? 'Creating an event that [would] evolve throughout the night,' he told us before the celebration. 'I want the guests to discover new things and will introduce new musical acts, new ambient performances, and new surprises as the event progresses. While it’s amazing to walk into any event and be floored by a visual impact, that only lasts so long—so you have to cater to all the senses and keep things moving and fresh from the moment the doors open until the last guest departs.'](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2023/02/20230205A_0496.63e2cb6b47404.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
Chapman's main goal? "Creating an event that [would] evolve throughout the night," he told us before the celebration. "I want the guests to discover new things and will introduce new musical acts, new ambient performances, and new surprises as the event progresses. While it’s amazing to walk into any event and be floored by a visual impact, that only lasts so long—so you have to cater to all the senses and keep things moving and fresh from the moment the doors open until the last guest departs."
Photo: Sean Twomey/Arche Creative
In addition to Flo Rida, other entertainers included Arturo O'Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, as well as DJ Michelle Pesce. Rentals and furniture came from Town and Country Event Rentals, while CJ Matsumoto and Sons handled florals and Jackson Shrub handled greenery.
Photo: Sean Twomey/Arche Creative
Ambient entertainment—including dancers and acrobats dressed in bird-inspired costumes—came from Entertainment Plus Productions.
Photo: Sean Twomey/Arche Creative
For food, celebrity chef Jason Fullilove worked in partnership with Levy on an eclectic menu that celebrated global destinations, including Havana, Jalisco, Jamaica, and Miami. Afterward, leftover food was repurposed via Musically Fed, a charitable organization that works with artists, promoters, management, and venues nationwide to donate unused backstage meals to community organizations that feed the homeless, hungry, and food insecure. Table Set Go handled catering coordination.
Photo: Sean Twomey/Arche Creative
The Recording Academy Honors Presented by The Black Music Collective
Earlier in the week, The Recording Academy honored hip-hop legends Dr. Dre, Missy Elliott, Lil Wayne, and Sylvia Rhone at its Black Music Collective event, which was held at the Hollywood Palladium on Feb. 2. The event was designed and produced by MVD Inc., which drew inspiration from "the transformative nature of hip-hop," said co-founder Massah David. "With this being the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, we wanted to create an atmosphere that lived up to the legacy. The design for every touchpoint of the event was audacious, opulent, and visually dynamic—something that would truly reflect the trendsetting spirit of hip-hop culture."
Photo: Jorge Meza
"The creative concept was inspired by classic hip-hop elements combined with modern trends, resulting in an experience that felt both nostalgic and new," David continued. "With dynamic lighting and bold colors, attendees were transported to a vibrant world filled with inspiration. It was an unforgettable celebration of hip-hop's culture and history." Above the Line handled the event's curved screens and lighting.
Photo: Jorge Meza
Design highlights included a neon-lined, gramophone photo moment overflowing with florals from Tic-Tock Couture Florals.
Photo: Jorge Meza
Additional vendor partners included fabrication from 15/40 Productions and Treehouse Fabrication, plus furniture rentals from Revelry Event Designers and Town and Country Event Rentals. "They all have been a dream to collaborate with," said David.
Photo: Jorge Meza
Warner Music Group's Pre-Grammy Party
Warner Music Group hosted its pre-Grammy party on Feb. 2 at the Hollywood Athletic Club. Designed and produced by Jason Morais and the Warner Music global events team, the star-studded gathering—which drew the likes of Bebe Rexha, Charlie Puth, The Black Keys, and Wiz Khalifa—featured a monochromic color scheme, including a dramatic, black-and-white striped entrance and carpet.
Photo: Lester Cohen/Getty Images for Warner Music
The futuristic decor continued inside the event space with infinity-mirrored Warner Music logos, plus other areas with giant inflatables and mirrored ceilings.
Photo: Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for Warner Music
The evening featured a live performance by Best New Artist nominee Omar Apollo, plus a DJ set from Pee .Wee (Anderson .Paak). Guests were served canapés by Wolfgang Puck and cocktails by Grey Goose.
Photo: Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for Warner Music
Spotify’s Best New Artist Event
Also on Feb. 2, Spotify hosted its annual Best New Artist party at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood. Returning to Los Angeles for its sixth year, the night honored this year’s nominees and included live performances from all 10 artists in the category—including eventual winner Samara Joy, who performed a live cover of Adele’s “Someone Like You,” a track she recently recorded for Spotify Singles.
Photo: Gonzalo Marroquin/Getty Images for Spotify
Oversized portraits of each Best New Artist nominee flanked the entrance to the event.
Photo: Gonzalo Marroquin/Getty Images for Spotify
Nominee Tobe Nwigwe took to the stage with his wife, Fat Nwigwe, to perform “FYE”—and used the event to share that she is seven months pregnant.
Photo: Monica Schipper/Getty Images for Spotify
The Recording Academy's Grammy House
The Recording Academy and CBS teamed up to host the first-ever Grammy House, an immersive pop-up experience that ran from Feb. 1-3. Produced by Anthemic Agency in collaboration with Warner Music Group, the house hosted a variety of events throughout the week, including an emerging artists showcase, a producer panel, and the second annual #GrammysNextGen Party.
Photo: Leon Bennett/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
The activation also featured a dedicated space called Universe of Hip-Hop, a special exhibit celebrating 50 years of hip-hop music and culture through the lenses of photographers like Janette Beckman, Michael Lavine, Danny Clinch, B+ (Brian Cross), Greg Noire, and Gunner Stahl. Designed and curated by artist Cey Adams—the founding creative director of Def Jam Recordings—the space featured iconic imagery of dozens of artists, including Run-D.M.C., LL Cool J, Biggie, Tupac, Kendrick Lamar, and 21 Savage.
Photo: Leon Bennett/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
Grammy House also featured a merchandise store with an exclusive, limited-edition capsule collection designed by Mark Braster.
Photo: Leon Bennett/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
MusiCares Persons of the Year Gala
MusiCares, the philanthropic arm of The Recording Academy, hosted its first-ever Persons of the Year Gala (yes, with two honorees)—this year honoring both Motown founder Berry Gordon and Grammy-winning singer Smokey Robison. The gala was held at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Feb. 3, with all proceeds providing essential support for music professionals’ health and human services. The evening included a reception and silent auction followed by a dinner and tribute concert, where a variety of artists—including Stevie Wonder and Chloe and Halle Bailey (pictured)—paid tribute to Gordy and Robinson.
Photo: Lester Cohen/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
Other performers included Brandi Carlisle, John Legend, Sheryl Crow, The Temptations, and Lionel Richie (pictured). The event was once again produced by live event broadcast outfit Lewis & Clark, made up of industry veterans Joe Lewis and R.A. Clark. (Bonus: Check out our 2021 interview with the duo.) Detroit native Greg Phillingane joined as music director for the Motown-filled evening.
Photo: Lester Cohen/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
Grey Goose Rhythm & Bleu Party
On Feb. 3, Grey Goose and Issa Rae’s Raedio company hosted the Rhythm and Bleu party, which honored producer Bryan-Michael Cox at LA event space The Gathering Spot. Featuring a vocal set from Josh Levi (pictured), the event drew attendees like actress Laura Marano and singer Jack Johnson.
Photo: Vivian Best for Getty Images/Grey Goose Vodka
Guests could sip custom cocktails in a futuristic, neon-lined environment with blue lighting that evoked the Grey Goose branding.
Photo: Vivian Best for Getty Images/Grey Goose Vodka
A photo op encouraged attendees to pose in front of Grey Goose branding and bottles.
Photo: Vivian Best for Getty Images/Grey Goose Vodka
Interscope x Flipper's Roller Boogie Palace
On Feb. 4, Interscope Records teamed up with entertainment venture Flipper’s Roller Boogie Palace to celebrate the 30th anniversary of both the record company and of Dr. Dre’s “The Chronic.” The star-studded party, held at the Hollywood Palladium, was hosted by Usher and sponsored by Meta and ORBIT Gum. It drew an A-list crowd of Paul McCartney, Dr. Dre, Leonardo DiCaprio, Lil’ Kim, and many more, who were invited to roller skate and enjoy signature cocktails from Grey Goose vodka and PATRÓN tequila. The evening also served plant-based bites from Tattooed Chef.
Photo: Christopher Polk/@polkimaging
JAJA Tequila’s ‘Party for No Reason’
JAJA Tequila’s fourth annual “Party for No Reason” took place on Feb. 3 at the private Sheats-Goldstein residence in Beverly Hills. Hosted by The Chainsmokers and presented by Wynn Nightlife, the invite-only gathering featured whimsical alien-themed decor, including a fun photo op inside a branded UFO.
Photo: Gonzalo Marroquin/Getty Images for JAJA Tequila
Attendees included Leonardo DiCaprio, Will I Am, and Shailene Woodley (pictured), who were greeted by aliens (both props and costumed actors) along with shots of JAJA Tequila. The event was produced by ENTER.
Photo: Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for JAJA Tequila
Primary Wave x Whitney Houston Estate's Grammy Week Residency
On Feb. 2, talent agency Primary Wave Music and the Estate of Whitney E. Houston kicked off a week-long residency in honor of the late singer’s 60th birthday. Presented by Sony and held at the W Hollywood, the week-long gathering featured a preview of Sony’s 360 Reality Audio Immersive Listening Lounge, a pop-up shop, and a memorabilia exhibit featuring photos of Houston and iconic gowns worn throughout her career. Throughout the week, live music performances from the likes of Destiny’s Child Michelle Williams and singer Amber Riley paid tribute to Houston’s biggest hits.
Photo: Gonzalo Marroquin/Getty Images for Primary Wave Music and the Estate of Whitney E. Houston
10th Anniversary of Gold Meets Golden
Gold Meets Golden held its 10th-anniversary event at the Virginia Robinson Gardens in Beverly Hills on Feb. 4. Co-hosted by Nicole Kidman and Nadia Comaneci, the Grammys week event aimed to bring together Hollywood and the sports industry to raise funds for Angel City Sports, an LA-based adaptive sports organization that provides access to equipment, coaching, and training for aspiring young Paralympic hopefuls. Attendees—who included Lance Bass, Adam Rippon, and Cheryl Burke—posed in front of a step and repeat that evoked both gold metals and gold records.
Photo: Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Gold Meets Golden
Synchronized swimmers entertained the crowd during the gathering.
Photo: Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Gold Meets Golden
