The Grammy Awards are unpredictable. Not in the way that the Golden Globes or the VMAs are – attendees are typically on their best behavior, saving the sauce for the after-party and maintaining a polite poker face throughout the show just in case the camera cuts to them for a reaction shot.
But when it comes to Grammy performances, you never really know what you’re gonna get until all is said and done. There have been Grammy telecasts where A-list stars who pack arenas have underwhelmed, and years where rising stars stole the show.
At the 2024 Grammy Awards on Sunday (Feb. 4), neither happened. Instead, the two iconic, reclusive folk artists made breathtaking comebacks, both supported by some of today’s most impressive musical talents. Joni Mitchell, backed by Brandi Carlile and a coterie of top musicians, performed her undying classic “Both Sides Now,” while Tracy Chapman hit the stage with Luke Combs to share a duet on her timeless “Fast Car.” Both performances elicited their fair share of misty eyes.
All in all, the Trevor Noah-hosted show at the Crypto.com Arena boasted a knockout first hour, followed by another two-and-a-half hours that alternated between riveting and decently entertaining. But for the length, the show was never dull (that surprise Taylor Swift album announcement certainly didn’t hurt).
Here’s our ranking of all the performances at the 2024 Grammy Awards, ranked worst to best. As per usual, we’ve left out the “In Memoriam” performances, so songs by Stevie Wonder, Annie Lennox and Jon Batiste are not included in this roundup.