8:01 p.m. H.E.R. is introduced by her tour manager. She’s performing with Travis Barker, Lenny Kravitz and Jimmy Jam. “Damage” is such a mellow song, so no Barker for this one…. then… H.E.R. goes to a water-covered drum kit and starts splashing around. There’s Barker… he’s sitting on for a cover of “Are You Gonna Go My Way.” Oh, hi, Lenny.

Now Kravitz and H.E.R. are doing the dueling guitar solo thing. And you know what? He’s doing a pretty good job of keeping up with her!

7:56 p.m. Avril Lavigne is presenting the Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. The winners are Doja Cat and SZA for “Kiss Me More.” Doja Cat is late to the stage… “I’ve never taken such a fast piss in my whole life.” She looks winded! “I like to downplay… but this is a big deal,” she says, crying.

7:47 p.m. Yes, Justin Bieber. We know where you get your peaches. But seriously… he can play piano? Unaccompanied? Bonus points for that. Watching Biebs do a laidback R&B jam instead of pop is … revelatory? He’s got Daniel Cesar up there with him. The only downside is that CBS keeps turning the audio off completely for the curse words. Just let it go, CBS!

Jon Batiste performs in front of Billie Eilish, FINNEAS and others during the 64th Annual Grammy Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on April 3, 2022. Photo courtesy the Recording Academy.

7:36 p.m. Jon Batiste is wearing a black cloak and playing a grand piano. This is classical music, but we think that’s just a ruse and he’s about to bust into his FUNK. 7:37 p.m. We were correct. Batiste is basically in a Dr. Suess book. His band and dancers all have some pretty fun and amazing hairstyles. He kisses one of his dancers on the cheek and heads to the top of a hill, back to his piano. Now we get the jazz segment of the performance.

This man can basically do anything he wants, and he blew me away at BottleRock last year. I’ve said it already in this very story, but that was about 3,000 words ago. — RG.

Now he’s giving a motivational talk while performing in the crowd. This is not a one-off. He does this at his shows, people!

7:25 p.m. Trevor Noah says this is when he would have introduced Foo Fighters for a performance. Taylor Hawkins is the headliner of the in memoriam segment in the show. Ben Platt, Cynthia Erivo, Leslie Odom, Jr. and Rachel Zegler sing Stephen Sondheim songs as the photos flash on the screen begin them.

7:22 p.m. Jared Leto is presenting the Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album. The winner is Olivia Rodrigo for Sour. This locks in her outstanding night. She also won for Best New Artist and she can win some more.

7:20 p.m. There we go. Thirty more seconds of Billy Strings.

7:15 p.m. The 10 seconds of Billy Strings I saw playing the rooftop stage made me want to see more. — RG.

7:10 p.m. Billy Porter, wearing a pink outfit and cape, presenting the Grammy Award for Best R&B Album. The winner is Jazmine Sullivan for Heaux Tales. Sullivan is an unlikely star tonight. She’s won a few awards. “I wrote this project to deal with my own shame … around some of the decisions I made in my 20s that weren’t favorable. But what it ended top being was a safe space for Black women … and not be exploited at the same time,” she says.

Also, this means that Jon Batiste doesn’t win this category, either… did the voters save his name for the best honor?

7:05 p.m. The show then zooms to a video from Tony Bennett, introducing Lady Gaga, who smashes through the jazzy “Love for Sale” and the touching “Do I Love You.” She’s wearing a classy sea foam gown, performing with an orchestra. “We love you, Tony, we miss you,” Gaga says. I think the second hour of the Grammy Awards have been stronger than the first — RG.

7:02 p.m. BTS’ English is much better than that of other Kpop bands, it turns out in their conversation with Trevor Noah. Also, Noah’s Korean, the sing-song phrase from Korean TV show “Squid Game,” immediately tells you which of the BTS members have seen the show. A smile from those who have, and utter confusion from the others.

6:50 p.m. Woah! Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is now delivering a pre-recorded address to viewers. He’s speaking in English, without a translator, and he sounds haggard. This leads to John Legend performing with musicians from Ukraine, including vocalists and poets singing in both Ukrainian and English, in what is surely to be a moment talked about for the next few days. The song is “Free,” but the what doesn’t matter as much as the “how” here.

6:37 p.m. Chris Stapleton gets introduced by his Assistant tour manager before launching into Grammy-winning song “Cold.” He gets the string accompaniment, too. What a wonderfully raspy voice. And now, gospel group Maverick City Music is playing the outdoor rooftop.

6:34 p.m. Ludacris is presenting the Grammy for Best Rap Performance. The winners are Baby Keem and Kendrick Lamar for “Family Ties.” Keem is blushing and smiling wide as he thanks everyone who’s helped him.

6:24 p.m. Nas (Big Nas?) on stage now, performing “One Mic,” then “Rare.” He’s backed by a full band, and a brass section. The performance has a Big Band feel (likely because of the production). The camera keeps cutting to Lil Nas X for his reaction.

6:13 p.m. Joni Mitchell and Bonnie Raitt are now introducing Brandi Carlile. Carlile’s album In These Silent Days was one of the most underrated and best of 2021. It was also a tribute of sorts to Joni Mitchell herself. Carlile starts “Right On Time” on a grand piano before moving to guitar, surrounded by a band and string section.

6:08 p.m. Megan Thee Stallion and Dua Lipa are presenting the award for Best New Artist, with some styling help from Donatella Versace. Or, as Trevor Noah explains, artists “your moms will be talking about in five years.” The winner is Olivia Rodrigo. “This is my biggest dream come true.” Her win means that the Bay Area’s Saweetie does not.

In all reality, these are already artists music fans have been talking about for a few years, right? — RG

5:56 p.m. Noah is now doing a tribute to roadies. A production managers is introducing “the best 20-year-old boss in the world, Billie Eilish.” Eilish performs “Happier Than Ever” with FINNEAS in an upside-down room, with a couch on the ceiling and the floor in a couple of inches of water. She’s in a shirt with Foo Fighters’ Taylor Hawkins pictured. …And now they’re in a rainstorm on the roof of their upside-down house.

5:50 p.m. Anthony Mackie and Kelsea Ballerini present the award for Best Country Album. The winner is Chris Stapleton for Starting Over. He says he’s missed out on his twins’ birthdays to be be at the Grammy’s. Said he hopes he’s doing it to make the world a better place.

5:40 p.m. Lil Nas X is on stage with Jack Harlow. Nas is in a silver crop-top, doing a medley of songs from his nominated album, Montero. I wonder where that huge bust is going to grafter this show. — RG

5:32 p.m. These rooftop sets with the Vegas skyline are a great transition to commercial. Would be better yet if they had music fans watching them.

5:27 p.m. BTS is up on stage next. And it looks like they’re about to launch a nuclear strike and/or rob an art gallery and/or perform a magic trick for Olivia Rodrigo. Let’s get greasy for “Butter.”

OK, the coat trick was cool. — Roman Gokhman.

5:22 p.m. Questlove presenting the award for Song of the Year. “I hope you people stay at least 500 feet away from me.” There are about 75 finalists, but the winner is Silk Sonic’s “Leave The Door Open”(Brandon Anderson, Christopher Brody Brown, Dernst Emile II & Bruno Mars).

5:12 p.m. Noah introduces J. Balvin and Maria Becerra, who’re performing “Que May Pues” and “In Da Getto.” With 76 of 86 awards handed out earlier today, this show will be be mostly about the music. The latter song is on a raised bleacher surrounded by about 20 or so dancers. It’s so dark in here!

5:08 p.m. And now Olivia Rodrigo is on stage, and in an ’80s Mercedes, singing “Driver’s License.” She looks like she just got stood up for prom, but sounds good.

5:05 p.m. Noah is indoors now, having mixed results on his early jokes. “What is FINNEAS’ last name?” “Olivia Rodrigo had to show her actual driver’s license.” “… We’re going to be people’s names out of our mouthes all night long!”

5 p.m. And we’re back! Trevor Noah is … outdoors again (surprise!). He’s on a large circular and possibly glass-covered stage, this year surrounded by a crowd, but quickly sends TV viewers inside the arena where Silk Sonic is performing with a bunch of all-star guests.

It doesn’t appear that the carpet is shag, but it should be! — Roman Gokhman

4:30 p.m. Most of the major artists were no-shows for their awards. It’s understandable for the Foo Fighters to not be here because they’re not celebrating, and fro ‘Ye to not want any attention right now. But, I mean… Not too long ago, Taylor Swift was showing up for these awards, so is it too much for artists to care about awards that are not televised? — Roman Gokhman

4 p.m. Whew… we need the next 60 minutes to recover from that. We’ll be back here for the main Grammy Ceremony.

3:59 p.m. Producer of the Year, Non-Classical: Jack Antonoff. Antonoff is here to accept. “This is the last award? OK, I’m gonna talk. Fuck…” “This means the world to me.”

3:57 p.m. Best Traditional Pop Album: “Love For Sale” – Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga. The producer said this was Tony Bennett’s favorite Grammy category. 

3:50 p.m. LeVar Burton presenting these last few awards. Best Jazz Vocal Album: “Songwrights Apothecary Lab” – Esperanza Spalding. Best Children’s Music Album: “A Colorful World” – Falu. “Let’s send positive vibes to Ukraine!” she pleads. Best Comedy Album: “Sincerely Louis CK” – Louis C.K. Hmm. Best Pop Solo Performance: “drivers license” – Olivia Rodrigo. 

3:45 p.m. Best Melodic Rap Performance: “Hurricane” – Kanye West Featuring The Weeknd & Lil Baby. They are not here. Best Rap Song: “Jail” – Dwayne Abernathy, Jr., Shawn Carter, Raul Cubina, Michael Dean, Charles M. Njapa, Sean Solymar, Kanye West & Mark Williams, songwriters (Kanye West Featuring Jay-Z). Best Rap Album: “Call Me If You Get Lost” – Tyler, The Creator.

3:35 p.m. Best Rock Performance: “Making A Fire” – Foo Fighters. They are understandably not present. Best Metal Performance: “The Alien” – Dream Theater.  Best Rock Song: “Waiting On A War” – Foo Fighters. Best Rock Album: “Medicine At Midnight” – Foo Fighters. Best Alternative Music Album: “Daddy’s Home” – St. Vincent. Best R&B Performance: Tie! “Leave The Door Open” – Silk Sonic, and “Pick Up Your Feelings” – Jazmine Sullivan. Best Traditional R&B Performance: “Fight For You” – H.E.R. This is the first win today for the Vallejo native. She’s next door rehearsing. Best R&B Song: “Leave The Door Open” – Brandon Anderson, Christopher Brody Brown, Dernst Emile II & Bruno Mars, songwriters (Silk Sonic). Best Progressive R&B Album: “Table For Two” – Lucky Daye.

None of these artists are here, by the way.

3:30 p.m. Ledisi performing now, wearing a golden gown and singing in French. Singing “Ne Me Quit Pas (Don’t Leave Me).” It’s an operatic performance. Burton now introducing Jimmy Jam as the next presenter.

3:27 p.m. Best Contemporary Classical Composition: “Shaw: Narrow Sea” – Caroline Shaw, composer (Dawn Upshaw, Gilbert Kalish & So Percussion). Jon Batiste was nominated but got shut out of a third category tonight. He can still win eight Grammy Awards.

3:22 p.m. Best Classical Solo Vocal Album: “Mythologies” – Sangeeta Kaur & Hila Plitmann; Danaë Xanthe Vlasse, pianist (Virginie D’Avezac De Castera, Lili Haydn, Wouter Kellerman, Nadeem Majdalany, Eru Matsumoto & Emilio D. Miler). Best Classical Compendium: “Women Warriors – The Voices Of Change”– Amy Andersson, conductor. The San Francisco Symphony’s Michael Tilson Thomas was nominated in this category.

3:20 p.m. Best Choral Performance: “Mahler: Symphony No. 8, ‘Symphony Of A Thousand'” – Gustavo Dudamel, conductor; Grant Gershon, Robert Istad, Fernando Malvar-Ruiz & Luke McEndarfer, chorus masters (Leah Crocetto, Mihoko Fujimura, Ryan McKinny, Erin Morley, Tamara Mumford, Simon O’Neill, Morris Robinson & Tamara Wilson; Los Angeles Philharmonic; Los Angeles Children’s Chorus, Los Angeles Master Chorale, National Children’s Chorus & Pacific Chorale). Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance: “Beethoven: Cello Sonatas – Hope Amid Tears” – Yo-Yo Ma & Emanuel Ax. Best Classical Instrumental Solo Performance: “Alone Together” – Jennifer Koh. Koh gleefully jogs to the stage. “Oh my God, I feel like I’m going to have a heart attack.”

3:10 p.m. Best Spoken Word Album: “Carry On: Reflections For A New Generation From John Lewis” – Don Cheadle. Best Engineered Album, Classical: “Chanticleer Sings Christmas” – Leslie Ann Jones, engineer; Michael Romanowski, mastering engineer (Chanticleer). Producer of the Year, Classical: Judith Sherman. Best Orchestral Performance: “Price: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 3” – Yannick Nézet-Séguin, conductor (Philadelphia Orchestra). The San Francisco Symphony is shut out of this one. Best Opera Recording: “Glass: Akhnaten” – Karen Kamensek, conductor; J’Nai Bridges, Anthony Roth Costanzo, Zachary James & Dísella Lárusdóttir; David Frost, producer (The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra; The Metropolitan Opera Chorus).

3 p.m. Best Contemporary Instrumental Album: “Tree Falls” – Taylor Eigsti. Curtis Stewart now performing an avant-garde version of “Isn’t She Lovely” on violin. LeVar Burton: “That was badass.” Our next presenter is a comedian. … Please remain seated with your hands your hands to yourself.” Nate Bargatze appears wearing a motorcycle helmet. Legit funny.

2:54 p.m. Best Latin Pop Album: “Mendó” – Alex Cuba. Best Music Urbana Album: “El Último Tour Del Mundo” – Bad Bunny. Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album: “Origen”- Juanes. Jimmie Allen needs some help pronouncing his name, and his album name. Best Regional Mexican Music Album: “A Mis 80’s” – Vicente Fernández. Best Tropical Latin Album: “Salswing!” – Rubén Blades y Roberto Delgado & Orquesta. None of these artists are here.

2:44 p.m. The next presenter is Jimmie Allen. Best Gospel Performance/Song: “Never Lost” – CeCe Winans. Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song: “Believe For It” – CeCe Winans; Dwan Hill, Kyle Lee, CeCe Winans & Mitch Wong, songwriters. Best Gospel Album: “Believe For It” – CeCe Winans. Best Contemporary Christian Music Album: “Old Church Basement” – Elevation Worship & Maverick City Music. Best Roots Gospel Album: “My Savior” – Carrie Underwood. That was out pick in this category.

2:40 p.m. LeVar Burton introduces performer Mon Laferte, who’s bathed in red light as she sings sensually. Check out our recent interview with her (or our older ones, or our reviews of a couple of her albums).

2:35 p.m. Best Music Film: “Summer Of Soul” – Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, video director; David Dinerstein, Robert Fyvolent & Joseph Patel, video producers. Questlove is in the building and strolling casually onto the stage. He beat out Billie Eilish’s film, but it’s not an upset. It’s won a bunch of awards. Questlove thanks the artists who appeared in the film. Notworthy is that late-night TV musicians Questlove and Jon Batiste appear one after the other on stage at the Grammys.

2:29 p.m. Best Remixed Recording: “Passenger (Mike Shinoda Remix)” – Mike Shinoda, remixer (Deftones). Linkin Park’s Shinoda wins the Grammy. Best Immersive Audio Album: “Alicia” – George Massenburg & Eric Schilling, immersive mix engineers; Michael Romanowski, immersive mastering engineer; Ann Mincieli, immersive producer (Alicia Keys). Best Music Video: “Freedom” – Jon Batiste. This is well-deserved and though not as flashy as some of the other ones on the list, it’s very joyous. Jon Batiste is here now. “I am so grateful for the gifts that God has given me.” He’s dressed very sharp in a sparkly suit with yellow diamonds up and down.

2:26 p.m. Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical: “Love For Sale” – Dae Bennett, Josh Coleman & Billy Cumella, engineers; Greg Calbi & Steve Fallone, mastering engineers (Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga). “Up until a few moments ago, the greatest honor of my life was getting this nomination.” Tae Bennett’s hands are visibly shaking.

2:20 p.m. Best Album Notes: “The Complete Louis Armstrong Columbia And RCA Victor Studio Sessions 1946-1966” – Ricky Riccardi. “Anyone writing album liner notes in 2022, you’re doing the Lord’s work,” Riccardi says. And he thanks his dogs! Best Historical Album: “Joni Mitchell Archives, Vol. 1: The Early Years (1963-1967)” – Patrick Milligan & Joni Mitchell, compilation producers; Bernie Grundman, mastering engineer. Joni Mitchell is here and gets a standing ovation as she’s helped onto the stage, wearing a red beret. 

2:14 p.m. Best Recording Package: “Pakelang” – Li Jheng Han & Yu, Wei, art directors (2nd Generation Falangao Singing Group & The Chairman Crossover Big Band). “Taiwan is a friendly and peace-loving country… If one day you can visit, you’re super-welcome!” Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package: “All Things Must Pass: 50th Anniversary Edition” – Darren Evans, Dhani Harrison & Olivia Harrison, art directors (George Harrison). Those Beatles people always know how to make a boxed set! “I guess this record is here to stay,” Olivia Harrison says.

2:06 p.m. Artists Nnenna Freelon and Pierce Freelon (her son) now presenting. Best Dance/Electronic Recording: “Alive” – Rüfüs Du Sol. Best Dance/Electronic Album: “Subconsciously” – Black Coffee. The band plays U2’s “Angel of Harlem” as artist Nkosinathi Innocent Maphumulo walks onto he stage.

2:02 p.m. Jimmie Allen on stage now. The country-ish ballad he’s playing is about his father, who passed away in 2019. He’s being supported by a band. After they’re done LeVar Burton mentions how happy he is that country now comes in so many different colors.

1:58 p.m. Best Reggae Album: “Beauty In The Silence” – Soja.

1:52 p.m. Best Contemporary Blues Album: “662” Christone “Kingfish” Ingram. Kingfish is the truth in blues right now. Not blues “appreciation,” but real, modern, right-now blues. Best Folk Album: “They’re Calling Me Home” – Rhiannon Giddens With Francesco Turrisi. Best Regional Roots Music Album: “Kau Ka Pe’a” – Kalani Pe’a. He sings a beautiful melody; “I’m proud to be Hawaiian.” Gives a speech about dedicating his win to the last king of Hawaii, who made hula important to the culture again. “I’m so overwhelmed with joy!” Also dedicates his win to an uncle who played guitar on the album but passed away. “Every independent artist should own their own music.” Also thanks his husband.

1:49 p.m. Best Bluegrass Album: “My Bluegrass Heart” – Béla Fleck. Best Traditional Blues Album: “I Be Trying” – Cedric Burnside.

1:47 p.m. Best American Roots Song: “Cry” – Jon Batiste and Steve McEwan. McEwan is here. “These things aren’t very important… until you win one! Can we make this a big radio hit so I could make some money?” Best Americana Album: “Native Sons” – Los Lobos. Now, this might seem like a surprise, but we didn’t think so!

1:46 p.m. Best American Roots Performance: “Cry” – Jon Batiste (who’s not here).

1:42 p.m. Best Country Song: “Cold” (Chris Stapleton) – Dave Cobb, J.T. Cure, Derek Mixon & Chris Stapleton. We’re fans of Dave Cobb here at RIFF.

1:40 p.m. Best Country Duo/Group Performance: “Younger Me” – Brothers Osborne. They’re also here and also getting emotional. They thank their… younger selves. “This was written in response to me coming out… I’m here with a man whom I love and whom loves me back.”

1:35 p.m. Arlo Parks now introduced as a presenter. We’ll likely hear her name called today at some point. Best Country Solo Performance: “You Should Probably Leave” – Chris Stapleton. He’s here to accept, which is not common for the big artists. He seems to be close to tears.

1:30 p.m. Allison Russell now on stage, performing “Nightflyer” with a violinist, cellist and guitarist on stage. Beautiful rendition. Her album was one of our favorites in 2021. And check out our Russell-adjacent feature that just ran a week ago. She’s playing clarinet now?

1:27 p.m. Best Latin Jazz Album: “Mirror Mirror” – Eliane Elias With Chick Corea and Chucho Valdés. Another for Correa; his contributions to the genre are being recognized.

1:25 p.m. Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album: “For Jimmy, Wes And Oliver” – Christian McBride Big Band. Dedicates this win to Chick Correa, among others.

1:23 p.m.: Best Jazz Instrumental Album: “Skyline” – Ron Carter, Jack DeJohnette & Gonzalo Rubalcaba. Also beats out Batiste and co., who were nominated for “Soul.”

1:20 p.m. Best Improvised Jazz Solo: “Humpty Dumpty (Set 2)” – Chick Corea. This is a posthumous win (his second or third posthumous win). He beats out Jon Batiste here. So Batiste will NOT win 11 today.

1:15 p.m. Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals: “To The Edge Of Longing (Edit Version)” – Vince Mendoza, arranger. Best New Age Album: “Divine Tides” – Stewart Copeland (of the Police!) and Ricky Kej. Sting would approve, we think.

1:13 p.m. Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Capella: “Meta Knight’s Revenge (From \”Kirby Superstar\”) – Charlie Rosen & Jake Silverman, arrangers (who are dancing down the aisles to accept their award. :Long live video game music!”

1:11 p.m.: Best Instrumental Composition: “Eberhard” – Lyle Mays, composer. He passed away, and his niece is accepting the award for him.

1:08 p.m. Best Global Music Performance: “Mohabbat” – Arooj Aftab. Best Global Music Album: “Mother Nature” – Angelique Kidjo.

1:07 p.m. Sylvan Esso take the stage to announce some awards.

1:04 p.m. *2021* Best Immersive Audio Album: Skywalker Sound’s Leslie Ann Jones and Michael Romanowski of Coast Mastering. They’re from the Bay Area!

1:02 p.m.: Best Song for Visual Media: “All Eyes On Me [From Inside].” Bo Burnham.

1 p.m. Best Score for Visual Media: TIE! “The Queen’s Gambit” (Carlos Rafael Rivera, composer) and “Soul” (Jon Batiste, Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross, composers). This is the first win for Jon Batiste and friends.

12:58 p.m.: Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media: United States Vs. Billie Holiday.

12:56 p.m. Best Music Theater Album: The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical. Emily Bear and Abigail Barlow.

12:50 p.m. Host LeVar Burton takes the stage (he’s nominated in the spoken word album category). “Tell the truth; you didn’t expect Kunta to be this fine, did you.” He looks pretty slick in all-black with a gold chain. Tells the crowd, largely nominated musicians, that the limit for each speech is 45 seconds.

12:47 p.m. Some speechifying now by another Recording Academy executive about the need to create more music that pushes for peace.

12:42 p.m. Harvey Mason, Jr. (Recording Academy CEO) takes the stage. Thanks musicians, music industry executives, etc. Says music is a unifying force of peace.

12:38 p.m. And here we go! Opening with some vocalizing by The Isaacs doing Sly & the Family Stone’s “Dance to the Music” with John Popper, Nnenna Freelon, Madison Cunningham and others. This is a great exhibition of regional music, with Kalani Pe’a showing off Hawaiian heritage and Falu her Indian roots.

12:30 p.m. I once sat right behind Bonnie Raitt at the Grammy’s Premiere Ceremony. That really is open seating. — Roman Gokhman