Chappell Roan performs during the 67th Annual Grammy Awards at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Feb. 2, 2025. Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy.

While the tone of the 2025 Grammy Awards was different, the annual celebration of music wasn’t a somber one. Host Trevor Noah set the tone right away, recognizing both the devastation of the Los Angeles fires, while also delivering an uplifting message about the resilience of the community and the heroism of first responders.

The opening at Crypto.com Arena brought together Dawes, whose members lost their homes to the fires, along with an all-star backing band including Brad Paisley, St. Vincent and Brittany Howard for an adapted version of Randy Newman’s “I Love L.A.”

For the night’s biggest awards, Kendrick Lamar brought home both Record of the Year and Song of the Year for “Not Like Us.” At long last, Beyonce won Album of the Year for Cowboy Carter. Earlier in the night, the biggest collision course of star power came when Taylor Swift presented the award for Best Country album.

“I think sometimes genre is a cold word to keep us in our place as artists,” Swift said.

The monologue was a bit tighter than normal, but still included some quick quips and a few digs at the new administration of the United States. The telecast also donated ad time—and a few famous musicians—to Los Angeles businesses. The performances included most of powerhouse women nominated for multiple awards. Billie Eilish donned a Dodgers hat alongside her brother Finneas for “BIRDS OF A FEATHER.”

“I love you, L.A.” Eilish said as the final note faded. It was a familiar refrain throughout the evening.

Kendrick Lamar accepts the Song of the Year award for “Not Like Us” during the 67th Annual Grammy Awards at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Feb. 2, 2025. Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy.

Sabrina Carpenter fused old and new for a medley of hits including “Espresso” and “Please Please Please,” backed by a jazzy band. Carpenter also bested some intense competition to take home Best Pop Vocal Album for Short n’ Sweet.

“I’m still out of breath from the performance, I was really not expecting this,” she said, choked up in the moment.

Chappell Roan brought in a literal pink pony for her anthemic hit “Pink Pony Club,” flanked by dancers in cowboy getups and clown makeup. Fitting with the theme of the night, she called the song her “love letter to L.A.” The performance was a visual spectacle and her vocal was on point, getting the crowd dancing and eliciting a standing ovation.

Singer Benson Boone’s electric performance started seemingly impromptu, with host Trevor Noah chatting up the Best New Artist nominees. After strolling around a few tables crooning, Boone threw off his suit, doing a flip on to the stage and belting out some big-time vocals. The performance segued right into Doechii, who had one of the night’s highlights. From the vocals to the choreography and visuals, everything was just about perfect.

Teddy Swims brought mighty pipes of his own for dramatic hit “Lose Control.” Shaboozey kept things simpler for his infectious hit “A Bar Song (Tipsy).” Raye brought the new artist performances home a flawless, soaring performance. The medley was proof of the sheer amount of talent in this year’s nominees. Chappell Roan ultimately took home the award and used her speech to demand record labels offer better pay and benefits, especially to emerging artists.

“When I got dropped, I had zero job experience under my belt. I couldn’t afford health insurance,”she said. “Labels: We got you, but do got us?”

Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga teamed up for yet another exquisite performance, and another ode to Southern California, with a stripped-down cover of the Mamas and the Papas song “California Dreamin’.” It was a counterpoint to the big productions that preceded it. The pair would later win an award for their collaboration “Die With a Smile.”

While Kendrick Lamar ruled the hip-hip song awards for “Not Like Us,” Doechii became the third woman in history  to win Best Rap Album for Alligator Bites Never Heal.

Beyoncé accepts the Album of the Year award for “COWBOY CARTER” with Blue Ivy Carter during the 67th Annual Grammy Awards at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Feb. 2, 2025. Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy.

Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason, Jr. then welcomed back a surprise musical guest, The Weeknd, who’d previously boycotted the show over concerns about the organization’s management. Performing “Cry For Me” in a darkened room and shrouded in red, the singer also performed “Timeless.”

Shakira won the award for Best Latin Pop Album for Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, dedicating the award to immigrants.

Musical legends including Herbie Hancock and Stevie Wonder paid tribute in song to the life and career and Quincy Jones. Actor-rapper Will Smith delivered the intro, crediting his entire career to Jones as Hancock played behind him. Also joining the musicians on stage were student singers from a pair of schools destroyed by fires. The tribute closed with Janelle Monae performing “Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough,” moonwalk and all.

Bay Area native Grace Bowers joined Coldplay vocalist Chris Martin for the In Memoriam portion, also dedicated to fire victims, as well as those who died in the plane crashes in Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia last week.

Shakira fused belly dancing and Latin dance into her dramatic performance, backed by a choir before the beat even kicked in. Charli XCX performed“Von Dutch” and “Guess,” and also took home hardware on the night.

In the rock categories, The Beatles took home Best Rock Performance and The Rolling Stones won Best Rock Album for Hackney Diamonds. Gojira came out on top in a stacked Best Metal Performance for the band’s epic Olympic Games Opening Ceremony performance of “Mea Culpa.” St. Vincent won a trio of Grammy awards including Best Rock Song and Best Alternative Album for All Born Screaming.

Follow writer Mike DeWald at mikedewald.bsky.social.