Alicia Keys
Alicia hosted, and bless her, she seemed a little spaced out the whole time. But in a way where that might just be her personality -- she was very blissed-out. I did love this opening look on her.
Alicia Keys
I am not hot on the cut of these pants, but she actually looks pretty smashing in this; it's what she wore for her weird dual-piano bit, which felt somewhat improvised. Someone pointed out that they may have plugged that in when Ariana Grande dropped out, and I bet that's right.
Alicia Keys
Just in case she needs to fly Donald Glover's two Grammys to him.
Alicia Keys
I wanted to love this, because you know I am weak for a cape, but it is giving her quite the cameltoe.
Miley and Shawn Mendes
I don't necessarily dislike this song, but sometimes his voice is a little whiny for me, but it ended up meshing really well with Miley's. I wish it had been their duet from the beginning. (Also, she managed to keep everything contained in her vest despite only the chain holding it shut, which is good work.)
Miley in Valentino, with DOLLY
These two did "Jolene" together, and they ALSO mesh really well. Who knew Miley Cyrus would grow up into such a utility vocalist. I know not everyone likes her, but I'm always impressed by how much work she put into her instrument -- it's not the same wail it was during her Hannah Montana days -- and she is on-key (ahem Katy Perry) and never lip-synchs (ahem, J Lo and parts of "Havana"), and I appreciate those things.
Katy Perry, DOLLY!, Kacey Musgraves
Speaking of Katy, she was the weak vocal link here. Imagine it with Kelly Clarkson. SO GOOD. (Kacey sounded eerily like young Dolly; it was cool.) I do at least appreciate their commitment to costume.
with Maren Morris
I wish we'd gotten a better shot of the marital doily Maren wore for this. We saw her entire buttock.
Here's a SLIGHTLY clearer shot at part of it, with bonus Little Big Town, who backed Dolly on a new song and sounded super. Country Music as a genre always really delivers at the Grammys.
Kacey Musgraves
She had a huge night, and I'm so happy for her that she won Album of the Year (and another one I'm forgetting) when she also got to be such a huge part of the telecast. This was a really beautiful, gentle performance, and I loved it.
Kacey Musgraves
She just might wish she'd worn pants. When she won, I was like, "Ooh, she's in a giant caftan, this could be cool," and then she stood up and there was no more dress to see. This was IT.
Janelle Monae
She's a smokeshow, as usual. Totally killed it.
Anthony Kiedis
Are we still doing the Red Hot Chili Peppers, though? Why is that?
Lady Gaga
This seems about right. Don't kill me, but I don't love "Shallow." At least it's short! The best part of this for me was when she finished, and she bent over and dipped the mic stand and just stared with one eye straight into the camera. It was totally a who-blinks-first contest and Gaga very nearly lost. You could see in her one eye that she was like, "OKAY CUT AWAY SO I CAN STAND UP PLS THX."
H.E.R.
She looks a lot like Rihanna to me here, and I realize that I would love to see RiRi jam out on a guitar. Her name is useful for Who's On First wordplay -- "Who is that?" "It's H.E.R." "Yes but WHO is she?" "It's H.E.R.!!!" -- and she's got a great voice, too. Her oufit is the chilled-out lounge PJs version of Gaga's.
Comfortable!
Raif-Henok Kendrick
He is Diana Ross's grandson, and he did SUCH a good job introducing her. Nice work, noodle.
Diana Ross
Miss Ross was also fabulous, per usual. I was impressed at how smooth her pipes are at 75. I also applaud that she is just as committed to moving around on a cloud of tulle as ever.
Eve and Swizz Beatz
Oh, Swizz, don't mix cream and white. Eve, I hope you get to keep that necklace.
J.Lo
"Just another Sunday, lovers! Welcome to the CHURCH OF LOPEZ."
Chloe x Halle
They sounded fabulous. Way to go, Kids Today. (Supposedly Beyonce was once their mentor and you can hear that a bit in their performance style.)
Yolanda Adams, Fantasia, Andra Day
They killed Aretha's "Natural Woman." Andra is basically in the mourning version of what she wore on the red carpet, and it's... a lot. Perhaps a BIT vixen-y for paying homage to a dead legend?
Cardi B
Amazingly, all that fringe was probably easier to negotiate than her Mugler from earlier. I also almost called it "Mueller," which would be amazing. Mr. Mueller, stop designing clothes and get back to your desk. You have an investigation to finish.
St. Vincent
Per usual.
Dua Lipa
She won her Grammy RIGHT after they performed together and she seemed so surprised and happy. I also absolutely love the image of Bob Newhart gazing upon her, nervously clutching her statuette, while she talks.
Yes, by the by, that is Versace, and yes, apparently that house IS still inspired by safety pins.