The 2026 Grammy Awards dazzled with performances from legends and newcomers alike, as Trevor Noah bids farewell in a night full of unforgettable moments.
- February 8, 2026
AceShowbiz - The 2026 Grammy Awards took place at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 1, showcasing a mix of past winners like Harry Styles and newcomers such as Olivia Dean and Leon Thomas, alongside legends like Joni Mitchell and Reba McEntire.
This year, hosted by Trevor Noah in his final appearance, the show leaned heavily on musical performances, featuring more acts than award presentations. While awards were indeed distributed, including several historic recognitions, the performances took center stage. Below, we rank them from least impressive to most captivating.
The In Memoriam segment was notably extensive, divided into three parts, each spotlighting multiple artists. As Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, mentioned, “It seems like every year we lose so many great legends, but yes, this year does seem particularly sad in that way.” Each segment is evaluated separately for our rankings.
This year marked the second consecutive time all nominees for Best New Artist graced the Grammy stage, delivering a vibrant medley that included performances by Addison Rae, Alex Warren, KATSEYE, Leon Thomas, Lola Young, Olivia Dean, sombr, and The Marías. Although their individual screen time was shorter than traditional performances, it still surpassed that of many nominees from previous years who received no stage exposure. As with last year, we have ranked these new artist performances separately.
If you're interested in a complete list of winners, you can find that here, and for highlights of the best speeches, check this link. However, if you want to discover which performers stood out at the 68th annual Grammy Awards, keep reading.
Addison Rae opened the show with “Fame Is a Gun,” delivering a high-energy, choreographed performance that began with her arriving via a semi-truck. While her visual concept was impressive and resonated well, some aspects of her vocal delivery appeared to falter.