Los Angeles wildfires may force delay of 67th Grammy Awards

As the 67th Annual Grammy Awards draw near, the devastating wildfires raging through Los Angeles have raised concerns about the event’s timing. Set for February 2 at Crypto.com Arena, the ceremony may face delays or alterations due to the ongoing crisis. Discussions within the industry suggest that the show could be postponed, with some even proposing it be transformed into a fundraiser for wildfire relief efforts.

A senior television executive told The Hollywood Reporter that a delay is increasingly likely due to the fires, which have already claimed lives and damaged properties in the region. The Recording Academy’s head, Harvey Mason Jr., is reportedly exploring various contingency plans. Another source mentioned that the situation in the coming days will determine whether the Grammys proceed as planned or are rescheduled.

Amid this uncertainty, efforts are underway to aid those impacted by the wildfires. On January 30, MusiCares, the Grammy Foundation dedicated to assisting music professionals in need, plans to hold a benefit concert at the Intuit Dome. The event, organized in partnership with Live Nation, the Azoff family, and AEG Presents, will feature a lineup of artists and broadcast partners yet to be confirmed.

The challenges of hosting a large-scale event like the Grammys during a natural disaster are significant. Many in the music industry are personally affected, with musicians losing instruments and staff members from major labels facing disruption. Publicists and teams behind artists such as Billie Eilish and The Weeknd have also been impacted.

The Grammy Awards have faced delays before. In 2021, the ceremony was moved from January to March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in 2022, it shifted again from January to April as the Omicron variant surged. That same year, the venue was relocated to Las Vegas for the first time in the award’s history. If postponed this year, it would mark yet another instance of external events reshaping music’s biggest night.

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