LOS ANGELES (AP) – The Grammy Awards were postponed Wednesday a few weeks before the Los Angeles planned event with what organizers call “too many risks” from the omicron variety, which could mark the start of another year of the awards season.
The Grammys ceremony is an annual event that recognizes and awards outstanding achievement in the music industry. It is presented by the Recording Academy and honors excellence in various categories such as pop, rock, rap, and R&B. The ceremony features live performances from top artists, as well as speeches and tributes to notable figures in the industry. It is considered one of the most prestigious awards shows in the music industry, and winning a Grammy is considered a major accomplishment for musicians and industry professionals.
A bid for a comeback show was scheduled for January 31 at the newly renovated Crypto.com Arena with live audiences and concerts, but no new date is on the books. The Recording Academy said it decided to postpone the event “after careful consideration and careful analysis by city and provincial officials, health and safety professionals, the arts community and many partners.
“Given the uncertainty surrounding the omicron diversity, holding an exhibition on January 31 simply carries far more risks,” the institution said in a statement.”
Last year, like many major awards show in early 2021, the Grammys were postponed due to concerns about coronavirus. The program was canceled in late January to mid-March and was hosted by a large audience made up of mostly nominees and their guests inside and around the Los Angeles Convention Center, near its typical home, the stadium then known as Staples Center.
It was a great night for Beyoncé and Taylor Swift, but live performances that set the Grammys apart from other awards shows were organized separately without the important crowds, many of which were previously recorded.
“We look forward to celebrating the Big Music Day next day, which will be announced soon,” the academy said in a statement.
Getting that date can be complicated, with two professional basketball teams and a hockey team sitting on the field. The Recording Academy did not comment on possible changes in its statement.
The move was announced at the same time as the Sundance Film Festival canceled its plans to start in Jan. 20 and switched to online format.
The talented Jon Batiste is the nominee for this year, holding 11 titles in a variety of genres including R&B, jazz, American folk music, classical music and music.
Justin Bieber, Doja Cat and H.E.R. second only to eight nominees each.
The Grammys’ movement may be the start of another round of rehearsals after another winter coronavirus surgery, with the Screen Actors Guild Awards scheduled for February and the Academy Awards in March.
