In response to the devastating wildfires engulfing Los Angeles, Warner Music Group, Sony Music, and BMG have canceled their planned Grammy Week events. The companies confirmed the cancellations, joining Universal Music, which made a similar announcement a day prior.
Warner Music Group revealed that the decision was made over the weekend, aligning with their commitment of $1 million to wildfire relief efforts through the WMG / Blavatnik Family Foundation Social Justice Fund. A representative for Sony Music stated that their decision came early Tuesday, focusing instead on supporting local relief initiatives.
BMG expressed their sentiments in an email, saying, “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, and we extend our deepest gratitude to the firefighters and first responders in Los Angeles County who are working tirelessly to contain the fires.”
Universal Music had already canceled their annual showcase and Grammy afterparty on Monday, following a similar course of action last year due to company layoffs. This announcement came shortly after the Recording Academy affirmed that the Grammy Awards would proceed as scheduled on February 2 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Both the Resonator Awards, celebrating female producers and engineers, and Milk and Honey Management have postponed their Grammy Week events. Despite these disruptions, the Recording Academy remains committed to hosting the awards ceremony, as emphasized in their statement from CEO Harvey Mason Jr. and Board Chair Tammy Hurt: “Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles. This city is our home, and we mourn the loss of life and destruction that have come to it in recent days.”
They added, “In close coordination with local authorities to ensure public safety and responsible use of area resources, the 67th Grammy Awards telecast on CBS on Feb. 2 will proceed as planned. This year’s show, however, 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.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass have both backed the Academy’s decision, made in consultation with the city’s fire marshal. Despite the logistical challenges, the Academy has opted to keep the event in Los Angeles, unlike the 2022 Grammys, which were relocated to Las Vegas during the Omicron surge of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The decision to maintain the venue is partly due to the significant revenue generated from ticket sales and the CBS broadcast, crucial for the event’s financial sustainability. Moving the ceremony to another city, although logistically possible, would send a discouraging message about Los Angeles amidst the ongoing crisis.
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