The Grammys Go Big

The Grammys are known for being over the top, where an artist can do almost anything they want for their once in a lifetime chance at performing for this event. This year at the 53rd annual Grammy Awards, the music performances were widely varied and definitely entertaining. With so many performances, there was something for everyone from pop to country, but here are a few highlights of some memorable performances.

Lady Gaga, Grammy winner for best pop vocal album, arrived in an egg, which in and of itself is memorable enough. She was the second performance of the night after the tribute to Aretha Franklin, and delivered a strong performance without too many quirky details (besides emerging from the egg and having actual pointy shoulders while in a tan sports bra-like top and a tan long skirt). Her voice was great as she sang out her self-love empowering single “Born This Way,” with backup dancers and a break to run to the organ mounted with mannequin heads. Some similarities were drawn to Madonna’s “Express Yourself” performance, and it seemed she was also paying homage with the long pony tail and cone bra outfit she wore later on.

Justin Beiber and Usher was flashy and extravagant, as expected, highlighting both artists’ dance skills. It started out with Beiber playing an acoustic version of “Baby” but quickly vamped up with ninja-drummers and an elaborate obstacle-course like set. I found out later that the ninjas were implemented because Jaden Smith, Will Smith’s son, appeared later in the performance to rap with Beiber and the ninjas tied his role in The Karate Kid (I had thought it was Beiber just playing out some childish fantasy of what would make a cool performance). The performance ended with Beiber and Usher dancing together.

Mumford and Sons, The Avett Brothers and Bob Dylan put on a great folk performance. It’s refreshing to see musicians actually play their instruments (lots of acoustic guitars, banjos, upright basses and accordions) and be excited to perform their songs without having to run around the stage. Mumford and Sons and The Avett Brothers played and sung beautifully, and it was great to see their enthusiasm when both bands played with Bob Dylan. Dylan, though his voice was a little raspy and it might not be the performance you expected from him, delivered a strong and entertaining performance of “Maggie’s Farm,” with Mumford and Sons and The Avett Brothers all lined up behind him, playing and singing along. Dylan ended the song by playing his harmonica, and it seemed so perfect.

Cee Lo Green and Gwyneth Paltrow delivered an entertaining yet sesame-street like performance of “Forget You,” with puppets as backup singers and Cee Lo dressed in a full on peacock outfit. Paltrow actually sounded good, and a duet worked well for the song. If you didn’t see it, find a video just to see how crazy Cee Lo can be.

Although it wasn’t an actual music performance, I loved Norah Jones, John Mayer and Kieth Urban playing “Jolene” as an introduction to honoring Dolly Parton. Just a simple, refreshing song with great harmonies and honest acoustic guitar playing.
Other big performances: Katy Perry’s over-the-top lovey dovey performance, with her wedding video projected on a curtain connected to her dress as she hung from a pink-flowered swing. Rhianna’s duets with both Eminem and Drake were sultry and sassy as always. Mick Jagger’ provided a hip-shaking, energetic presence (he even came on stage in a cape), and Arcade Fire’s strobe-light, bmx-biking madness, as well as their exit performance after winning Album of the Year (first time it’s gone to musicians not on a major label!) were big hits.