The Grammy Awards are a night to celebrate the accomplishments of the most talented names in music. More than 40 awards are handed out, but it’s the performances throughout the show that viewers truly look forward to.
The 59th annual Grammy Awards featured performances from Beyoncé, Adele, Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak and A Tribe Called Quest, Chance The Rapper and many, many more. While not every performance went as planned, there was no shortage of star power on the stage. Each artist brought something new and different to the stage — some seized the opportunity to make a political statement, while others focused on putting on the best show possible.
Beyoncé, photographed on stage during the 2017 Grammy Awards, in Los Angeles, on Feb. 12, had one of the best performances of the night. Photo: Reuters
Here are the best performances from the 2017 Grammy Awards:
Adele
The biggest night in music opened with a moving performance from Adele. The soulful songstress belted out “Hello” off her album “25.” The performance went off without a hitch, though her luck did not continue throughout the evening.
After opening the show Adele was called to the stage once more to perform a slowed down version of George Michael’s “Fast Love” in tribute to the late musician. She stopped the show mid-song, requesting a restart. She apologized for her language during the live show, but she refused to memorialize Michael, 53, at the time of his death, with a pitchy performance. Although Adele was visibly shaken by the experience, fans at the Staples Center in Los Angeles and at home celebrated her for keeping it real.
Beyoncé
Beyoncé never fails to put on a good show. The 20-time Grammy Award winner didn’t let being extremely pregnant with twins keep her from the stage. Instead, she embraced both her changing body and inability to dance the way she normally would.
With the help of stunning visuals, special effects and a group of extremely talented dancers, the expectant “Sorry” singer was able to put on the performance of a lifetime. She sang “Love Drought” and “Sandcastles” — two of the slower songs off her visual album “Lemonade.” The performance drew praise from fans in the audience and those watching along at home.
Bruno Mars
Following up Beyoncé is no easy task, but Bruno Mars lived up to the challenge. The singer and his band took the stage for a performance of “24K Magic” and “That’s What I Like” that brought the audience to their feet.
He was called to the stage a second time to perform a tribute to Prince. The Time opened for him, prompting audience members to show off their take on the “Purple Rain” legend’s signature moves. Bruno Mars then appeared dressed as the legendary musician, who died in April 2016. He performed “Let’s Go Crazy,” mimicking Prince’s guitar skills to the audience’s delight.
A Tribe Called Quest and Anderson .Paak
Fans waiting on baited breath for a real political statement to be made during the Grammy Awards got it when A Tribe Called Quest and Anderson .Paak took the stage. The group opened with “Can I Kick It” before performing their new single “We the People.” Busta Rhymes also joined them on stage, calling Donald Trump “President Agent Orange.”
Chance The Rapper
After winning his first Grammys during the show, Chicago rapper Chance the Rapper was called to the stage to perform. He sang a medley of “How Great” and “All We Got,” bringing Kirk Franklin, Tamela Mann and a full choir to the stage with him.
John Legend and Cynthia Erivo
Who better to sing an In Memoriam than John Legend and Cynthia Erivo? The duo sang “God Only Knows” by the Beach Boys while Legend played the piano. The song was a fitting way to honor all those we lost including Phife, Prince, George Michael, Merle Haggard, Leonard Cohen and more.
Ed Sheeran
After jetting to New York to perform on Saturday Night Live, Ed Sheeran flew back to the West Coast to take the stage during the Grammy Awards. He performed his single “Shape of Your Body.”
The Weeknd and Daft Punk
The Weeknd and Daft Punk are the musical pairing we never knew we needed. The artists took the stage together early in the Grammy Awards, wowing viewers with a futuristic performance of both “Starboy” and “I Feel It Coming.”
Several others performed during the awards show, though they were far less memorable. Those performers include Katy Perry, Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood, Maren Morris and Alicia Keys, Kelsea Ballerini and Lukas Graham, Sturgill Simpson and more.
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