Universal Music Group has canceled all of its Grammy-related events, including Saturday’s artist showcase and Sunday’s post-Grammy party, and will use the money for wildfire relief in Los Angeles.
“Today, we have canceled all of our Grammy-related events, including the Artist Showcase and After-Grammy Party, and we will redirect resources that would have been used for those events to help those affected by the fires in forest,” said a company press release. . “Our deepest gratitude goes to the first responders and emergency personnel, who continue to demonstrate heroism.
“Los Angeles is home to a lot of us,” he continues. “We are committed to helping and supporting the music community, our artists, our teams and the people of Los Angeles through this horrific episode.”
Universal canceled its artist showcase last year due to layoffs within the company, but its post-Grammy party went ahead, despite torrential rain in Los Angeles on the day of the Grammys.
Wildfires have destroyed several neighborhoods in the greater Los Angeles area over the past five days, affecting communities including Altadena, Sylmar, Granada Hills, Studio City and Runyon Canyon. Earlier this week, there was discussion within the industry about whether or not the Recording Academy would push back the Grammys, scheduled for February 2.
On Monday morning, Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy and MusiCares, and Tammy Hurt, chair of the academy’s board of directors, confirmed that the Grammy Awards telecast will go ahead on February 2 as planned.
This year’s show, however, will have a renewed focus: raising additional funds to support wildfire relief efforts and honoring the courage and dedication of first responders who risk their lives to protect ours,” the release said.
