The 2021 Grammys were supposed to take place on Jan. 31. But worries about the spread of Covid-19 have forced show organizers to postpone the event, possibly until March.
The 2021 show was already going to be different, with no live audience and no nominated musicians allowed on-site, Rolling Stone reports. Only presenters and performers are to appear on-site.
Grammys Will Be Different This Year, Winston Says
The Recording Academy and its broadcast partner CBS have confronted many hurdles this year, according to Variety. And that may have contributed to a possible change in plans.
The original plan was to hold the awards at the 18,000-seat Staples Center in Los Angeles. But in an interview with Billboard last month, Grammys executive producer Ben Winston revealed he was “looking to do something quite exciting with independent venues” for the 2021 Grammys.
“I’m so struck by the independent music venues around the world, and I’m aware of how hard hit that side of the industry has been,” Winston said. “I’m looking to do something quite exciting with the independent venues — supporting them and putting a spotlight on them in what has been a really tough year for them.”
Some have speculated that Grammy performers could appear at multiple venues in and around downtown L.A. That would give the awards show a chance to showcase the city’s independent music scene.
Many of those venues will be seeing some relief after the $15 billion Save Our Stages Act passed as part of the $900 billion Covid-19 relief package that Congress voted into law late last month.
The Small Business Administration oversees the Save Our Stages Act fund, the Hartford Courant reports. The fund is available to venues that are missing at least 25% of their annual revenue. Venues can apply to the fund to cover up to six months’ worth of payroll, utilities, rent, and maintenance costs. But there’s a $10 million limit per venue.
L.A. Experiencing Tragic Spike in Covid-19 Cases
L.A. has been experiencing a surge in coronavirus cases that has overwhelmed local hospitals. On Monday, the L.A. Emergency Medical Services Agency told emergency responders to ration the use of supplemental oxygen and not to bother transporting patients who cannot be revived on the spot.
“Given the acute need to conserve oxygen, effective immediately, EMS should only administer supplemental oxygen to patients with oxygen saturation below 90%,” the agency said in a memo, per USA Today.
As of Monday, Los Angeles County had more than 800,000 Covid-19 cases. Ambulances are reportedly having to wait hours to deliver patients to the emergency room. One person dies of Covid-19 every 15 minutes in the county, Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said on Monday.