Grammys 2016: Fierce females, touching tributes and an upset or two
LOS ANGELES (MEDIA GENERAL) — The 58th Annual Grammy Awards air tonight, and music fans and critics alike are waiting with baited breath to see if performances will impress or disappoint — as well as who will win each major category.
There are likely to be a few surprises, but here are a few things you can expect from tonight’s show.SMASHING FEMALE PERFORMANCES
Some of the most powerful ladies in music will take the stage this year at the Grammys.
Album of the Year favorite Taylor Swift will kick off the show in ‘Style.’ Considering she’s up for seven awards and had five hits on Billboard’s Hot 100 this year, she has a lot of impressive material to showcase.
Possibly the most anticipated performer of the night, Adele is also sure to impress viewers with her vocal prowess, returning to the stage after a three-year hiatus with a song or two from 25 – you know, the fastest selling album of all time.
Rihanna will also hit the stage, performing for the first time since she released her new album ANTI. And this time, she probably won’t be shown up by Beyoncé. [EDIT: Rihanna canceled her performance minutes into the show, forcing fans to wait even longer for an on-stage debut.]PHOTOS: 2016 Grammy-nominated songs and artists
Rock and roll fans can look forward to stunning show from Alabama Shakes’ frontwoman Brittany Howard. And country fans can rest easy waiting for Carrie Underwood’s duet with Sam Hunt.
Oh, and of course there’s Lady Gaga. Her tribute to David Bowie is bound to inspire considering she got a tattoo of him on her arm yesterday.AMAZING TRIBUTES
Besides Gaga’s mega-hyped homage to Bowie, there will be some other exciting tributes on the Grammy stage this year.
Of note, Jackson Browne will join the Eagles to honor their late founding member Glenn Frey.
Plus, Album of the Year nominee Chris Stapleton will join Americana favorite Gary Clark Jr. and the illustrious Bonnie Raitt to honor B.B. King who died in May 2015.A FEW UPSETS
Kendrick Lamar is nominated for an impressive 11 awards this year, but will he take Album of the Year over favorite Taylor Swift?
Swift won in 2010 for her album ‘Fearless,’ and she’s the youngest person ever to win the high honor.
1989 was easily the biggest album of 2015, but critics feel very strongly about Kendrick’s To Pimp a Butterfly, and it’s already being lauded as one of the most innovative hip-hop albums of all time.
Swift’s “Blank Space” is also neck-and-neck with Mark Ronson/Bruno Mars’ mega hit “Uptown Funk” for Record and Song of the Year. It’s hard to say which one has the greater edge in each category.
Not to mention, The Weeknd’s “Can’t Feel My Face” could come up from behind and take either race.
Another contested category is Best New Artist, where undeniable pop star Meghan Trainor is nominated-despite being nominated for Record and Song of the Year for “All About that Bass” last year.
Trainor is obviously favored to win, but many complain that the award should go to a ‘new artist.’
If that’s the case, Sam Hunt is definitely a frontrunner – he won the same award at the American Music Awards and the Country Music Awards this year.
Brit rocker Courtney Barnett could also upset – her breakout album Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit blew critics away this year, many calling it one of the best albums of last year.
Haven’t heard of her yet? Check out her album and the some of the other talented nominees this year.