Grammys after-parties are canceled amid ongoing LA wildfire disaster: ‘Inappropriate’
Music’s night of nights is set to be a little quieter this year.
While the 67th annual Grammy Awards will go ahead as scheduled on Sunday, Feb. 2 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, pre and post-party celebrations have been canceled due to the ongoing wildfires in the city.
“It feels inappropriate to go for a booze up during these times,” a source in the music industry told Daily Mail.
“It’s such a relief that the ceremony will take place but anything more than that just wouldn’t feel right,” the insider continued.
Universal Music Group (UMG) first announced that all its Grammy-related events would not take place as the blazes destroyed the neighborhoods of the Pacific Palisades and Altadena. UMG canceled their Artist Showcase and afterparty.
A spokesperson for the company stated: “We have canceled all of our Grammy-related events, including the Artist Showcase and After-Grammy Party and will redirect the resources that would have been used for those events to assist those affected by the wildfires.”
Following UMG’s decision, Sony Music followed suit.
After sharing the cancellation of their Grammy Week events, they announced its parent company, Sony Group Corporation, was pledging $5 million to emergency relief and long-term recovery efforts.
Warner Music Group (WMG), in partnership with the Blavatnik Family Foundation Social Justice Fund, also shared they donated an initial $1 million to support local fire relief initiatives.
A WMG rep said that their efforts are focused on helping both first responders and those in the music industry affected by the fires.
BMG added: “It is with heavy hearts that we announce BMG will no longer host its Pre-Grammy Party on Tuesday, January 28.”
“Our thoughts are with everyone affected,” their statement continued, “and we extend our deepest gratitude to the firefighters and first responders in Los Angeles County who are working tirelessly to contain the fires.”
Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, and Tammy Hurt, chair of the academy’s board of trustees, explained their plans for Grammy Week in a statement to the public earlier this week.
“We understand how devastating this past week has been on this city and its people. This is our home, it’s home to thousands of music professionals, and many of us have been negatively impacted,” Mason begun.
“After thoughtful consideration and multiple assurances from state and local elected leaders, public safety agencies and with support from our incredible artist community, we have decided to go ahead with the Grammy telecast and some select events.”
He continued: “This year’s show will carry a renewed sense of purpose: raising additional funds to support wildfire relief efforts and honoring the bravery and dedication of first responders who risk their lives to protect ours.”
The Recording Academy also revised its schedule, focusing on relief efforts, including having the telecast serve as a platform to raise funds for wildfire relief and showcase resilience.
But some parties are still set to take place, per the Daily Mail.
Clive Davis’s pre-Grammy party and the MusiCares gala are scheduled per usual, but each organizer has included charitable components to support victims of the fires.