On February 2nd, The 67th Annual Grammy Awards were held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, drawing a cast of music’s best and brightest performers. The opening act, performed by Sheryl Crow, Brittany Howard, St. Vincent, Taylor and Griffin Goldsmith of Dawes, Brad Paisley, and John Legend, was adorned with an “I Love L.A.” backdrop, and centered around the devastation of multiple wildfires that destroyed L.A. ‘s infrastructure. From an event planning perspective, the venue left much to be desired. While it delivered big moments for performers on stage, the production choices, flow, and overall event direction lacked cohesion. Here’s a closer look at the night’s proceedings.

Venue & Set Design: Playing It Safe Again

This year’s Grammys stuck to a familiar setup, closely mimicking 2024’s stage design with minor tweaks. The gramophone motif returned, but it failed to make a meaningful impact. For an event that celebrates innovation in music, the production design felt uninspired. The opening act also lacked the punch needed to kick off a high-energy night; one that was meant to be a celebration of humanity and perseverance.

Event Direction: A Confusing Mix

One of the biggest challenges of the night was its lack of focus. Was this a celebration, a charity event, or a comedic showcase? The messaging felt scattered, making it difficult for the audience to follow a central theme. The inclusion of LA Fire Relief efforts was a positive touch, and commercials highlighting local aid efforts were a commendable way to bring attention to the cause, however, this theme wasn’t smoothly integrated into the event itself, making it feel like a side note rather than a core element.

Flow & Transitions: Sloppy Execution

A well-produced live event should feel seamless, but the Grammys struggled with choppy transitions and awkward pacing. The “walk and talk” opening sequence was unpolished and poorly executed, lacking the proper execution to pull viewers in. The high degree of preparation needed to execute an annual, large scale, and highly anticipated event was absent.

Celebrity Antics: Ye and Bianca Censori Strike Again

The newest development in Ye’s notoriously polemical career shocked the public. Upon arriving at the red carpet, Ye sported his classic all-black street wear outfit while Bianca was fitted with a massive black fur coat. As they posed for photos Bianca dropped the coat and revealed a transparent, entirely skin – colored bodysuit. As usual, the couple’s antics shocked the public and made Bianca Censori the most googled woman on Earth.

Lessons for Future Productions

1. Venue & Set Design Should Reflect Innovation, Not Repetition

• The Gramophone motif and stage layout closely mirrored the previous year’s design, failing to make an impact, highlighting the importance of reinventing aesthetics each year to excite audiences and reflect industry creativity.

2. Clear Event Direction Prevents Confusion

• The show lacked a central theme—was it a celebration, charity event, or comedy showcase? The inclusion of LA Fire Relief efforts felt disconnected, reinforcing the need for a cohesive narrative that is consistently reinforced throughout the night.

3. Smooth Transitions Keep the Audience Engaged

• Awkward pacing, a poorly executed “walk and talk” intro, and a mid-interview interruption during Babyface’s segment disrupted the event’s flow, emphasizing why live event transitions should be polished, rehearsed, and thoughtfully executed to maintain engagement.

4. Strong Coordination Between Production & Broadcast is Key

• Disorganization in camera work, presenter hand-offs, and interview timing led to an unrefined viewing experience, demonstrating the necessity of effective communication between producers, directors, and on-air talent for a seamless broadcast.

5. Opening Acts Set the Tone for the Entire Event

• The opening performance lacked energy and impact, failing to engage the audience from the start, showing that a dynamic, well-produced opening act is essential for setting the tone and building excitement for the rest of the event.

The 2025 Grammys had its on-stage highlights, but from an event planning perspective, it lacked the organizational polish and creative vision to make it truly unforgettable. With a more cohesive direction and a sharper execution, future productions could better showcase what is consistently the most highly anticipated night every year for the American music industry.