Grammy Awards: Dawes open show with surprise performance
Dawes opened the 67th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday (02.02.25) backed by a supergroup featuring John Legend, Sheryl Crow, Brad Paisley, Brittany Howard, and St. Vincent.
Dawes opened the 67th annual Grammy Awards backed by a supergroup featuring John Legend, Sheryl Crow, Brad Paisley, Brittany Howard, and St. Vincent.
The folk group - whose frontman Taylor Goldsmith had his home studio and much of his equipment destroyed in the Los Angeles wildfires, while his brother, drummer Griffin Goldsmith's house burned down - opened the show at the Crypto.com Arena on Sunday (02.02.25)with a rendition of Randy Newman's 'I Love L.A.' in a surprise tribute to the city featuring a star-studded backing band.
While John, Sheryl and the other artists had been announced as performers, Dawes were a surprise addition to the line-up.
Introducing their performance, host Trevor Noah said: “So, to kick off tonight’s show in a really special way, allow me to tell you about a band that has LA in their DNA. Taylor and Griffin Goldsmith are two brothers born and raised in the city who make up the band Dawes. They, like so many others have lost so much in these fires.
"Griffin’s home, their childhood home, their home music studio, and almost all their instruments. Despite their tragic loss, Dawes have helped raise money for nearly 100 other families also affected by the disaster. They truly epitomise the unique spirit we are seeing in LA right now.
"This year, what better way to start the Grammy Awards? Joined by an all-star brand of Grammy award-winning artists represent in your music community, coming together: John Legend, Sheryl Crow, Brad Paisley, Brittany Howard and St. Vincent to open the Grammys. Welcome Dawes.”
This year's awards are raising additional funds to support the wildfire relief efforts and honouring the first responders, and during his opening monologue, Trevor urged people to donate.
He said: "Tonight’s just not about music. All night long, we will be raising funds for music cares fire relief, supporting the work of Musicares and other fantastic charities. Direct relief is providing care to first responders, residents, local health centers. Telephone community foundation has disbursed fire eight to more than 130 local nonprofits, and Pasadena committee foundation, supporting those hardest hit in Altadena and Pasadena."
The 40-year-old comic had kicked off his monologue with praise for the fire-ravaged city.
He said: "Just a few days ago, we were not sure tonight that this show would even happen. I mean, you don’t need me to tell you this, but this city has been through one of the largest natural disasters in American history. Tens of thousands of people have lost their homes, entire neighbourhoods have been erased, schools, local businesses, and entire communities have burned to the ground.
"Thankfully, due to their heroic efforts of firefighters, the fires have been contained. Despite all the devastation, the spirit of the city has emerged.
“Neighbours who had never spoken before are helping each other. Community cenrtes are overflowing with donations.
"Families are welcoming strangers into their homes so they too have a place to sleep. It’s often said that in the darkest of times, the best of humanity shines through, and the people of Los Angeles right now are a perfect example of that.
"Tonight, we decided we are not just going to be celebrate your favorite music: We are all supporting the city that brought us so much about music.
"I mean, just look at some of the performance here tonight. LA is where Billie Eilish and Finneas turned a small bedroom in Highland Park into a Grammy Award-winning studio.
"The real clubs of LA inspired Chappell Roan to create the anthem that is 'Pink Pony Club'. It was here in Los Angeles that Stevie Wonder wrote and recorded arguably the greatest album of all time, 'Songs in the Key of Life'.
Following host Trevor Noah's opening monologue, the next performance of the night came from Billie Eilish.
She was joined by her brother, Finneas O'Connell, for a rendition of her hit 'Birds of a Feather' and the likes of Taylor Swift and Cynthia Erivo could be seen dancing in the audience, while childhood photos of the siblings coud be seen as Billie sang.
She ended her performance with a declaration of love for Los Angeles.
