How the 2025 Grammys Responded to L.A. Wildfires

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As a gamer, I found myself tuning into the 2025 Grammys not just for the music, but also to show my support during these challenging times. The city of Los Angeles had been battling devastating fires throughout most of January, and it was heartening to see the awards ceremony take a stand by making fire relief efforts central to the event.

From powerful performances to the handing out of numerous awards to today’s top artists, the Grammys served as a platform for raising awareness about the ongoing crisis in Los Angeles. It was a memorable night that combined entertainment and activism, reminding us all of our collective responsibility towards each other and our communities.

During the broadcast from the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday evening, the show’s producers and a roster of A-list musicians, actors, and celebrities paid tribute to Angelenos and those affected by the fires. Trevor Noah, the host, kicked off the event with a monologue celebrating the essence of L.A., followed by folk-rock band Dawes commencing the ceremony with a powerful rendition of Randy Newman’s timeless hit, “I Love L.A.” The band was joined by an impressive ensemble of Grammy-winning artists – Brad Paisley, Brittany Howard, John Legend, Sheryl Crow, and St. Vincent – who added their talent to create the biggest performance of Dawes’ career so far.

For 15 years, Dawes has gone through different band members and iterations, but currently, it’s composed of brothers Taylor Goldsmith and Griffin Goldsmith. Regrettably, they all recently lost their home, studio, and a significant amount of the band’s musical equipment in the Los Angeles fires. The Eaton Fire specifically claimed Griffin’s house in Altadena, an area hit hardest by that devastating and historic inferno. Interestingly, Taylor is married to actress-singer Mandy Moore.

Griffin explained to reporters, including The Hollywood Reporter, backstage at the Grammys that one challenge in describing the situation in Altadena is its sheer level of devastation and completeness. It’s vast and it can be difficult to grasp from just the photos circulating online how extensive the damage truly is.

This year’s electrifying and audience-favoring performance by the band was merely the highlight of the Grammys, which took on a sense of urgency in light of the devastating wildfires that consumed approximately 57,000 acres of land and over 10,000 structures. In response, this year’s awards are focusing on fundraising for Los Angeles wildfire relief, and they’ve been pausing to acknowledge and commend the courage and commitment shown by L.A.’s first responders who valiantly fought against the odds to bring the fires that started on January 7 under control.

During the entire event, the Palisades and Altadena communities, which had been affected by the fires, were frequently highlighted in speeches. Meanwhile, the city of Los Angeles was celebrated during performances. Additionally, commercial breaks showcased local businesses that had closed or suffered damage. Towards the end of the night, Billie Eilish and Chappell Roan expressed their affection for L.A., while Kendrick Lamar dedicated his award for Record of the Year to various neighborhoods in Los Angeles.

On Wednesday, it was announced that the Grammys would pay tribute to the late Quincy Jones and acknowledge the spirit of Los Angeles, following the devastating wildfires, on Sunday evening. During this tribute, living legends Stevie Wonder and Herbie Hancock were joined by students affected by the fires from the Pasadena Waldorf School and Palisades Charter High School choirs. These schools were among the five impacted by the Eaton firestorm within the Pasadena Unified School District.

Following Noah’s initial segment about the fires, he presented a visual compilation of the destruction and displayed a QR code on-screen for donations. He encouraged both those in attendance and viewers at home to contribute. The QR code was repeatedly shown during the broadcast, with Noah acknowledging some of the businesses that made contributions.

Approximately $4 million in emergency assistance has been provided by The Recording Academy and MusiCares to around 3,000 musicians impacted by wildfires, as stated in a press release sent to THR on Sunday. This aid was distributed through collaborative efforts with Direct Relief, the California Community Foundation, and the Pasadena Community Foundation, aimed at assisting the city of Los Angeles.

Over the last week, several pre-Grammy events have either been postponed or restructured to offer aid to Los Angeles residents who have been affected by the devastating wildfires that swept across certain areas of the city.

More to come.

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2025-02-03 07:25