Amanda Leslie
Sunday Feb. 8, was the 57th annual Grammys, and the show was rife with dancing Minotaurs, violinists, and artists crossovers.
The first performance of the night was by ACDC. (“Who are these people?” my sister asked halfway through).
Other artists that night ranged from Ariana Grande to Hozier and a Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett combo, but some were more memorable than others.
Madonna and her gang of slightly terrifying dancing Minotaurs took to the stage, making us wonder if the 56 year old would ever slow down.
Pharrell did a transfixing yet peculiar version of “Happy” with Hans Zimmer that felt a little bit like it belonged in a dystopian film.
Shia Labeouf introduced Sia by reading a strange poem, and Sia had an unexpected accompaniment in the form of Kristen Wiig.
Sam Smith had the most successful night, winning four awards, including the awards for Best New Artist and Best Song of the Year.
The aforementioned Pharrell won the award for Best Pop Solo Performance, promising not to make his speech “awkward and long,” and then continued to do exactly that.
The award for Best Album of the Year went to the artist Beck, for “Morning Phase,” surprising many who had no idea who he was. Beck beat out Beyonce, leading Kanye West to almost repeat the notorious events of 2009. Luckily, Kanye backed out, getting laughs from both Beyonce and Jay-Z.
Halfway through the show, President Obama showed up in video form to promote “It’s On Us,” a campaign to spread awareness for, and prevent, sexual and domestic abuse.
Following his announcement, activist Brooke Axtell spoke in a heart wrenching and poetic way about her survival of an abusive relationship, and she was followed by an emotional performance by Katy Perry.
Beyoncé closed the show clad in white, singing “Take My Hand Precious Lord,” while background performers raised their arms in the infamous “hands up, don’t shoot” gesture.
Overall, the 2015 Grammys performances tended to be on the slow and sad side making for a mellow, even somber evening.
