This Sunday (February 12) will see the biggest stars in the music industry descend upon the Staples Center in Los Angeles for the 59th annual Grammy Awards. By the time the ceremony is over, there are sure to be innumerable talking points - but here are the five key things to keep an eye out for this year...
1.THE RETURN OF KATY PERRY
After opting for the lesser-spotted release strategy of launching her comeback single, Chained To The Rhythm, via disco ball listening posts around the globe, the Grammys is set to be Perry’s reintroduction to the world at large. And the world will certainly be watching closely. If her performance can summon the energy and inimitable charm of her Super Bowl 2015 half-time show (remember the giddy thrill the first time you saw Left Shark?) it could be very, very special indeed.
2. YOUR NEW HOST: JAMES CORDEN
The star of the Late, Late Show has already proven himself to be one of the most important tastemakers in the music world right now. His presence within the industry only looks set to grow now that he’s picking up the master of ceremony mantle at the Grammys from LL Cool J – who hosted the show for the past five years. Everyone is wondering whether we’ll get a Carpool Karaoke-style skit. If we do, you’ll be watching a viral phenomenon take off in real-time. Fingers crossed for an Adele reunion.
3. WHO RUN THE WORLD? (BEYONCÉ)
You would think that Beyoncé would be content to sit back and relax after she officially broke the internet/world when she announced her twin pregnancy with that photoshoot… But let's face it, she probably has plenty more headlines in store for us on Sunday. Not only is Yoncé set to deliver her first performance since said announcement, she's also up for a bunch of awards. In fact, she’s now the most-nominated woman in Grammy history. Expect this to be her night.
4. INTRODUCING: METALLIGAGA
All the way back in 2011, Lady Gaga’s second album, Born This Way, featured the song Heavy Metal Lover. Turns out she wasn’t lying. Certainly the most compelling prospect of the Grammys this year is what's going to happen when metal titans Metallica perform with Gaga onstage, especially coming on the back of her triumphant Super Bowl set. Will it be a Metallica song with Gaga on vocals? Will Metallica give Poker Face a good thrashing? Or will it be a mash-up? Maybe the world will finally find out what happens when Master Of Puppets and Just Dance collide...
5. THE KEY BATTLE: WHO WILL WIN ALBUM OF THE YEAR?
The most prestigious award of the evening also constitutes the biggest question mark looming over the ceremony. While many people are expecting it to be a duel between Adele’s 25 and Beyoncé's Lemonade, the spectre of Drake’s Views and Justin Bieber’s Purpose should not be taken lightly. And who knows? Maybe Sturgill Simpson will surprise everyone and win with A Sailor’s Guide To Earth. Whatever happens, expect the debate to carry on long after the afterpartys have turned into hangovers.
It has been confirmed that the Grammys will be broadcast a day later in the UK, airing on 4Music at 8pm on Monday, February 13.
The full list of nominations can be found here: http://www.grammy.com/nominees
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