The 2016 Grammys were rather… boring, actually. Both rumored and scheduled appearances resulted in no-shows (Rihanna cancelled out due to a throat issue and, apparently, the announcement of Lauren Hill’s comeback performance was premature). The usually reliable performers were hampered by audio glitches and bad lighting (see: Adele’s appearance). All-in-all a disappointing evening with few exceptions.
However, the standouts themselves were a mixed lot and may only serve as “memorable” due to either the sheer chutzpah of some performances or because of their utter “what the hell?!” quality. But not all of ‘em. So here are the five most memorable moments from last night’s broadcast.
1. Kendrick Lamar
Photo credit: CBS
Lamar had already won five Grammys before taking the stage in what was probably the best musical performance of the entire evening. Somehow everything worked. Exceptional staging, choreography, the concept and, ultimately Lamar himself did an electrifying combination of “The Blacker the Berry” and “Alright” from his album “To Pimp a Butterfly.”
2. Lady Gaga’s David Bowie Tribute
Not the most bizarre of live performances. If anything, it was disappointing in how strange it could have been considering this was Lady Gaga paying tribute to David Bowie. In fact, it wasn’t an altogether “good” performance, either. However, it was somehow fascinating watching Gaga jump from song to song like a needy performer doing an extended pop medley in a cruise line show.
3. The “Hamilton” Cast
Next to Kendrick Lamar, this was technically the best performance of the night. And it should have been as the cast of “Hamilton” have rehearsed and performed this number enough times already. But the live broadcast from the Broadway theater went off without a hitch and it was easy to see why they earned Best Musical Recording of the Year
4. The Hollywood Vampires
Sigh. The late, great heavy metal legend Lemmie Kilmister (of Motorhead and Hawkwind fame) was paid tribute by Alice Cooper, Johnny Depp and Aerosmith’s Joe Perry. Collectively they called themselves The Hollywood Vampires (at one time a name attributed to a group of rock star buddies who would spend their nights bar hopping. Alice Cooper himself was a member). But this is the thing: it’s rather painful watching a bunch of leather clad musicians trying so hard to be “rock n’ roll” or, rather, have aged themselves out of the ability to really pull it off. Not to mention, this was supposed to be a tribute to Lemmie Freakin’ Kilmister, a man who would shun the pyro technics and overt posturing displayed on stage last night. Cooper’s rendition of the Motorhead classic “Ace of Spades” came off more as spoken word than “metal.” And these days, Joe Perry is looking more and more like Keith Richards, while Depp for some reason dressed up as Darryl from AMC’s “Walking Dead.” A train wreck moment if there ever was one and all the more memorable for it.
5. Meghan Traynor’s acceptance speech
Traynor’s speech was actually surprisingly touching. Her tearful response after winning the Best New Artist award seemed genuine and unexpected. So, uh, way to go Meghan Traynor.
