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RECAP: Stellar performances at Grammys 2016

Rappler.com

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RECAP: Stellar performances at Grammys 2016
Taylor Swift's show opener; Lionel Richie, Eagles, and Earth, Wind & Fire tributes; Kendrick Lamar's political, jazz-infused performance; Lady Gaga's spectacular David Bowie tribute; a star-studded finale, and more.

MANILA, Philippines – The music industry’s superstars gathered once again for the 58th Grammy Awards to celebrate the best of the previous year’s music craft. Millions tuned in to the event which broadcasted from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles on February 15, Monday (February 16, Tuesday in Manila).

Some of the most notable performances came from the top contenders for the major awards: Taylor Swift and Kendrick Lamar, and of course, a heartbreaking but exuberant tribute to David Bowie from Lady Gaga.

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift came out to a stage which was decorated like a forest, and kickstarted the exciting show with “Out of the Woods.”

 

via GIPHY

Kendrick Lamar

Midway through the show, actor Don Cheadle introduced multi-nominee Kendrick Lamar, in chains, who performed a jazz-infused and overtly political performance of “Alright” and “The Blacker the Berry,” on a stage that was set up like a prison. Later, a campfire was set ablaze as the Son of Compton continued spitting his verses, as a saxophone blared in the background.

 

 

Justin Bieber, Skrillex, and Diplo

Justin Bieber came on stage strumming a somber rendition of “Love Yourself” on his guitar, before he was later joined by superstar DJs Skrillex and Diplo, plus a live band, for their megahit “Where Are Ü Now.” Skrillex was shredding on his electric guitar, Diplo thunderously played the drums, as Justin danced his heart out to this hard rock take on the banger pop hit.

 

 


Adele

Even though there were a few technical hiccups, the amazing 10-time Grammy winner Adele delivered a powerful performance of “All I Ask,” with just a golden spotlight shining on her scarlet-red gown.

 

Lady Gaga 

The indisputable performance of the night: Lady Gaga did a ground-breaking tribute to the late British legend David Bowie. She sang “Space Oddity,” “Changes,” “Ziggy Stardust,” “Suffragette City,” “Rebel Rebel,” “Fashion,” “Cracked Actor,” and “Fame.” She proceeded with a mashup of “Under Pressure” and “Let’s Dance,” before closing with “Heroes.”

Technology was used to spectacular effect: projection mapping flashed Bowie’s iconic masks on Gaga’s face, as she strutted the stage towards a robotic keyboard, all against a backdrop of images of outer space – a fitting tribute to the Spaceman.

 

 

Gaga was earlier seen walking the red carpet in an outfit that’s a clear tribute to Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust persona. 

The world loves you David.

A video posted by Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) on

 

Finale: Pitbull 

Travis Barker, Joe Perry, and Robin Thicke joined recent Grammy awardee Pitbull partied with “El Taxi.”

Sofia Vergara even joined to boogie.


 

Other performers were no less stellar, even drawing standing ovations from the likes of Adele herself.


Sam Hunt and Carrie Underwood

Sam Hunt and Carrie Underwood astonished the crowd with a breathtaking rendition of “Take Your Time” and “Heartbeat.”

 

 The Weeknd

The Weeknd performed his megahit “Can’t Feel My Face,” surrounded by an array of pulsing lights.

 Andra Day and Ellie Goulding

Andra Day and Ellie Goulding sang a duet of each other’s hits, “Rise Up” and “Love Me Like You Do,” respectively.

 


 Lionel Richie tribute

With Rihanna a no-show, John Legend, Demi Lovato, Luke Bryan, Meghan Trainor, Tyrese sang a medley of Lionel Richie’s hits – “Easy,” “Hello,” “Penny Lover,” “You Are the Sun, You Are the Rain,” and “Running with the Night” – as tribute to the legendary singer. 

Later, the 2016 MusiCares Person of the Year, Lionel Richie himself sang “All Night Long” with these artists. Mark Ronson, Beck, and Dave Growl were even spotted singing along to Lionel’s timeless tunes.


 

 

Little Big Town

Country band Little Big Town sang their own “Girl Crush.”

Earth, Wind & Fire tribute

Pentatonix and Stevie Wonder did an amazing tribute to Earth, Wind, and Fire with a rendition of “That’s the Way of the World,” before announcing the winner of Song of the Year.

 

Glenn Frey tribute

Surviving Eagles members Don Henley and Bernie Leadon, along with Joe Walsh, Tim Schmidt, and Jackson Browne, performed “Take It Easy” tribute to the late guitarist Glenn Frey.

 

 

James Bay and Tori Kelly

Best new artist nominees James Bay and Tori Kelly captivated everyone as they strummed on their guitars Bay’s “Let It Go”

Hamilton

Hamilton, the musical based on the American founding father’s life, broadcasted live from Broadway, as Stephen Colbert introduced them. The cast performed “Alexander Hamilton,” dishing out its slick verses.


 

 

 

Miguel

Crooner Miguel tenderly sang a short Michael Jackson tribute, “She’s Out of My Life,” off the seminal album Off the Wall.

B.B. King tribute

Chris Stapleton, Bonnie Raitt, Keith Urban, and Gary Clark, Jr., paid tribute to the late blues legend B.B. King with “The Thrill Is Gone.”

 

Alabama Shakes

Alabama Shakes performed their song “Don’t Wanna Fight,” for which they’ve won a Grammy for Best Rock Performance.

 

 

Hollywood Vampires’ Lemmy Kilmister tribute 

Alice Cooper, Johnny Depp, and Aerosmith’s Joe Perry – dubbed the Hollywood Vampires – performed a rousing, fiery tribute to Lemmy Kilmister, the frontman of rock band Motörhead. They killed it shredding those guitars, and sang electrifying renditions of Motorhead’s “Ace of Spades.”

 

 

 

Joey Alexander

Twelve year-old Indonesian wunderkind and YouTube discovery Joey Alexander played that piano like a true boy wonder beyond his years. He received a standing ovation for his performance.

 

 

Were you tuned into this year’s Grammys? Who were you rooting for? What was your favorite performance? Tell us in the comments below. – Rappler.com

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