With the 64th Annual Grammy Awards taking place at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas for the first time ever Sunday night, it was, of course, an over-the-top and grand spectacle.

Just a week after the infamous on-camera slap at the Oscars, there was hardly a mention of it at the Grammys. Host Trevor Noah did reference it in his opening monologue by stating, “We’re keeping people’s names out of our mouths,” a reference to what Will Smith yelled from his seat after slapping Oscars host Chris Rock.

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The Grammy Awards were a more jovial occasion. There was Las Vegas-style flare and a focus on the music with more than 15 live performances by artists like BTS, Olivia Rodrigo, Lady Gaga, H.E.R., Justin Bieber, J Balvin and more. The evening was also about an industry still trying to make a comeback after being shut down for the better part of 18 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of celebrities or fellow artists, several female industry professionals, including tour managers and wardrobe designers, introduced performers like Carrie Underwood, Chris Stapleton and Billie Eilish, to shed light on the thousands of hard-working people, the ones hit hardest by the pandemic, who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make the magic happen.

On a more serious note, before award-winning R&B performer John Legend delivered his new song, “Free,” Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered a powerful pre-recorded video message about Ukraine’s ongoing war with Russia, stating that “Our loved ones don’t know if we will be together again.” He said that the Ukrainian musicians are now wearing body armor instead of tuxedos “but the music will break through anyway.” He also told the Grammy audience to “fill the silence with your music.”

There were no big sweeps of the evening, but Jon Batiste, who told everyone “I love ya even if I don’t’ know ya” during his speech, took home five awards and R&B group Silk Sonic walked away with four trophies. That was “sweep” enough for Silk Sonic’s Anderson .Paak who let everyone know “drinks is on Silk Sonic” after the duo won all of the awards it was nominated for.

A slew of others garnered three awards each including Stapleton and pop star Olivia Rodrigo, who also won best new artist. Rock band Foo Fighters, who were scheduled to perform at the ceremony before the death of drummer Taylor Hawkins on March 25, won all three awards it was up for and Hawkins was remembered via a video tribute ahead of the In Memorandum segment. Eilish also wore a black shirt with Hawkins’ photo on it during her performance of “Happier Than Ever.”

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