Honestly, the Grammys have always felt like a weird high school reunion where everyone is too rich and the lighting is way too aggressive. But the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, which just took place on February 2, 2025, felt different. Maybe it was the location at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, or maybe it was the fact that the industry finally stopped gatekeeping the "pop girlies" and let them run the whole show.
If you’re looking for a dry list of names, you can find that anywhere. What actually mattered was the energy. Sabrina Carpenter basically turned the stage into a giant neon-soaked dream, and Chappell Roan? Well, she proved why she's the "Midwest Princess" by turning the arena into a literal Pink Pony Club.
People kept asking who’s performing at Grammys 2025 like it was some state secret, but once the lights went up, the lineup was basically a "Who's Who" of everyone you’ve been listening to on loop for the last twelve months.
The Performance Heavyweights Who Stole the Night
It wasn’t just a concert. It was a statement. Billie Eilish and Finneas showed up—shocker, I know—to perform "Birds of a Feather." They have this weird, almost telepathic way of performing where the whole room just goes silent. It’s haunting.
Then you had the "Best New Artist" medley. This was easily the most chaotic and high-energy part of the night. You had Benson Boone doing his piano-flipping thing, Teddy Swims showing off those soulful vocals on "Lose Control," and Shaboozey bringing the country-hop vibes with "A Bar Song (Tipsy)." It’s rare to see that many breakout stars share one segment without it feeling messy, but somehow, they pulled it off.
The Big Surprise Everyone Missed
The Weeknd. Yeah, Abel actually showed up.
After years of calling the Recording Academy "corrupt" and boycotting the whole thing, he did a surprise performance with Playboi Carti. They performed "Timeless," and the internet basically melted. It was one of those "I can’t believe this is actually happening" moments that the Grammys usually lack these days.
Tributes and Emotional Highs
Los Angeles had a rough start to 2025 with the wildfires, and the Grammys didn't ignore it. The show opened with a tribute to the city featuring John Legend, Sheryl Crow, and St. Vincent. It wasn’t flashy. It was just... nice. Grounded.
But the real tear-jerker was the salute to the late Quincy Jones. We’re talking about a lineup that included:
- Stevie Wonder (the GOAT, obviously)
- Cynthia Erivo (bringing that Wicked energy)
- Janelle Monáe
- Jacob Collier
- Herbie Hancock
They did a rendition of "We Are the World" that involved students from schools destroyed in the fires. If you didn't have a lump in your throat, you might want to check your pulse.
Why Some Big Names Didn't Perform
There’s always a bit of drama about who doesn’t take the mic. Beyoncé was the most nominated artist of the night (shouting out Cowboy Carter), and while she finally took home that elusive Album of the Year trophy, she didn't perform. Neither did Taylor Swift.
Taylor was there, though. She actually presented the Best Country Album award to Beyoncé, which felt like a massive "passing the torch" moment, even though they’re both already legends. It’s a reminder that sometimes just being in the room is enough to dominate the conversation.
The Full 2025 Performance Lineup
If you missed the telecast and want the quick rundown of who actually hit the stage, here’s how the night shook out. It wasn't just pop; we had a bit of everything.
The Pop & New Wave Guard:
- Sabrina Carpenter: A medley of "Espresso" and "Please Please Please" involving a glittery tuxedo reveal.
- Chappell Roan: "Pink Pony Club" with literal pink steam rising from the floor.
- Charli XCX: Bringing "Brat" summer into winter with "Von Dutch" and "Guess."
- Shakira: High-energy "Ojos Así" vibes that proved she hasn't aged a day since 2007.
The Collaborative Powerhouses:
- Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars: They did "California Dreamin'" as part of the L.A. tribute. Their chemistry is kind of insane.
- The Weeknd & Playboi Carti: The surprise of the night.
The Industry Veterans:
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- Chris Martin: Handled the "In Memoriam" segment with "All My Love."
- Lainey Wilson: Representing the country contingent during the Quincy Jones segment.
- Brittany Howard: Always a powerhouse, she joined the opening L.A. tribute.
What This Means for Music in 2026
The 2025 Grammys felt like a hard pivot. The Academy is finally leaning into the artists that actually drive TikTok trends and streaming numbers. Seeing Doechii perform in custom Thom Browne schoolboy outfits or RAYE closing out a medley with "Oscar Winning Tears" shows that the "old guard" is finally making room at the table.
If you’re looking to stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on these performers' tour schedules. Most of them—especially Chappell and Sabrina—are about to see their ticket prices triple after these sets.
The best way to experience this isn't just watching the clips on YouTube. Go back and watch the full Quincy Jones tribute if you can find it. It’s a masterclass in musical history. Also, keep an eye on the MusiCares relief efforts mentioned during the show; the industry actually put their money where their mouth is this year for the wildfire victims.
Grab your headphones and go listen to the 67th Grammys playlist. It's basically the soundtrack of the year.