Grammys 2021: how to watch, who's performing and more...

The Grammys are taking place this weekend on Sunday 14 March and as one of our favourite events in awards season we couldn't be more excited. 

The ceremony, which has been postponed by almost two months due to the ongoing pandemic, will finally be airing live from Los Angeles. But how much of it will be virtual? Who will be performing? And most importantly, how can we watch it? 

Here's everything you need to know about the 63rd Grammy Awards... 

Where are the Grammys in 2021?

Like many awards shows this year, the Grammys will be held in a mostly virtual format. However, that's not to say there aren't plenty of exciting things planned for the big night. 

Instead of everyone being gathered in front of a huge live audience at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles, there'll be different performances streaming live from across the United States. 

According to the Recording Academy, the Grammys will also “pay tribute to independent venues that have been greatly impacted by the pandemic." These include iconic venues like the Apollo Theater in New York City and the Troubadour in Los Angeles, with some awards being presented live from the venues on the night. 

When are the Grammys?

Sunday 14 March sees the return of the Grammy Awards.  

The main show is broadcast live on CBS at 8pm ET / 5pm PT / 1am (Monday 15 March) for UK viewers. 

Grammy.com (opens in new tab) and YouTube (opens in new tab) will be live-streaming the first of the Grammys' pre-show events—the Premiere Ceremony which starts at 3pm ET / 12pm PT / 8pm GMT and sees 70 awards handed out.

The pre-show and Grammys red carpet airs on Grammy.com and Facebook Live (opens in new tab), starting at 6:30pm ET / 3:30pm PT / 11.30pm in the UK.

How to watch the Grammys 2021

Viewers in the United States can watch live on CBS, or tune into the livestream on Paramount+ (opens in new tab).  Highlights of the night—acceptance speeches and interviews will be shown on Grammy.com.

If you're outside the US, want to access your usual TV shows and have a Paramount+ account ($10 per month), you can still watch the show live. Streamers usually block you from using your normal subscription service if you're outside the country. But a solution is to use a VPN (opens in new tab), which changes your IP address allowing you to continue to use your subscription even when you're away from home.

Our VPN pick is ExpressVPN (opens in new tab) which is simple to use, super secure, it's compatible with all your devices—and most importantly they provide a no-quibble 30-day money-back guarantee

Who's hosting the Grammys 2021?

This year's show will be hosted by The Daily Show's Trevor Noah which means we're all in for a treat. The news was first  announced in November 2020 with The Recording Academy (opens in new tab) tweeting: "We’re thrilled to welcome host, Emmy-winner, and GRAMMY-nominee as the host of the 63rd #GRAMMYs! We can’t think of a better person to serve as Master of Ceremonies for Music’s Biggest Night."

Noah shared a trailer for the upcoming event, promising a show "unlike anything you have ever seen." 

Jhené Aiko—triple-nominated for Album of the Year, Best Progressive R&B Album and Best R&B performance (with John Legend)—has been confirmed to host the Grammy's pre-show. A number of other famous faces will appear, throughout the night, to present awards. 

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Grammys 2021 line-up: who are the performers? 

The Grammys have gone all out with an impressive line-up of performers set to entertain viewers throughout the night. 

Last week, the Recording Academy released the full Grammys line-up (opens in new tab), including performances by Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, BTS, Cardi B, Bad Bunny, Dua Lipa, Brandi Carlile, Black Pumas, DaBaby, Doja Cat, Billie Eilish, Megan Thee Stallion, Mickey Guyton, Haim, Brittany Howard, Miranda Lambert, Lil Baby, Chris Martin, John Mayer, Maren Morris, Post Malone, and Roddy Ricch. 

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BTS at the Grammys

One of the most highly anticipated performances of the night is of course, BTS (opens in new tab). With an army of loyal fans (literally called the ARMY), the K-pop group is set to make their debut Grammy show, with their own songs—they made an on-stage cameo at the 2020 Grammys ceremony, during Lil Nas X's performance of 'Old Town Road.'

“We're really excited, it still feels surreal,” band member Jimin told USA TODAY (opens in new tab). “We're still figuring out what to make of it. But we do know this is a great honor and we're deeply thankful. We're trying our best to deliver a great performance to return all the support we received from our fans.”

The night is a historic one for BTS, who are also nominated for best pop duo/group performance for their English-language hit Dynamite. This is BTS's first Grammy nomination. 

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Grammys 2021 nominations

There are an astonishing 83 Grammy Awards categories. The full list of nominees can be found on the Recording Academy website (opens in new tab) we've picked out the nominees for the main awards.

Record of the Year

Beyoncé - Black Parade
Black Pumas - Colors
DaBaby Featuring Roddy Ricch - Rockstar
Doja Cat - Say So
Billie Eilish - Everything I Wanted
Dua Lipa - Don’t Start Now
Post Malone - Circles
Megan Thee Stallion Featuring Beyoncé - Savage

Album of the Year

Jhené Aiko - Chilombo
Black Pumas - Black Pumas (Deluxe Edition)
Coldplay - Everyday Life
Jacob Collier - Djesse Vol. 3
Haim - Women in Music Pt. III
Dua Lipa - Future Nostalgia
Post Malone - Hollywood’s Bleeding
Taylor Swift - Folklore

Song of the Year

Beyoncé - Black Parade
Roddy Ricch - The Box
Taylor Swift - Cardigan
Post Malone - Circles
Dua Lipa - Don’t Start Now
Billie Eilish - Everything I Wanted 
H.E.R. - I Can't Breathe 
JP Saxe Featuring Julia Michaels - If the World Was Ending

Best New Artist

Ingrid Andress
Phoebe Bridgers
Chika
Noah Cyrus
D Smoke
Doja Cat
Kaytranada
Megan Thee Stallion

Best Pop Solo Performance

Justin Bieber - Yummy
Doja Cat - Say So
Billie Eilish - Everything I Wanted
Dua Lipa - Don’t Start Now
Harry Styles - Watermelon Sugar
Taylor Swift - Cardigan

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance

J Balvin, Dua Lipa, Bad Bunny & Tainy - Un Dia (One Day)
Justin Bieber Featuring Quavo - Intentions
BTS - Dynamite
Lady Gaga with Ariana Grande - Rain On Me
Taylor Swift Featuring Bon Iver - Exile

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album

(Burt Bacharach &) Daniel Tashian - Blue Umbrella
Harry Connick, Jr. - True Love: A Celebration of Cole Porter
James Taylor - American Standard
Rufus Wainwright - Unfollow the Rules
Renée Zellweger - Judy

Best Pop Vocal Album

Justin Bieber - Changes
Lady Gaga - Chromatica
Dua Lipa - Future Nostalgia
Harry Styles - Fine Line
Taylor Swift - Folklore

Best Dance Recording

Diplo & SIDEPIECE - On My Mind
Disclosure Featuring Aminé & Slowthai - My High
Flume Featuring Toro y Moi - The Difference
Jayda G - Both of Us
Kaytranada Featuring Kali Uchis - 10%

Best Dance/Electronic Album

Arca - Kick I
Baauer - Planet’s Mad
Disclosure - Energy
Kaytranada - Bubba
Madeon - Good Faith

Best Rock Performance

Fiona Apple - Shameika
Big Thief - Not
Phoebe Bridgers - Kyoto
HAIM - The Steps
Brittany Howard - Stay High
Grace Potter - Daylight

Best Rock Album

Fontaines D.C. - A Hero’s Death
Michael Kiwanuka - Kiwanuka
Grace Potter - Daylight
Sturgill Simpson - Sound and Fury
The Strokes - The New Abnormal

Best Alternative Music Album

Fiona Apple - Fetch the Bolt Cutters
Beck - Hyperspace
Phoebe Bridgers - Punisher
Brittany Howard - Jaime
Tame Impala - The Slow Rush

Best R&B Performance

Jhené Aiko Featuring John Legend - Lightning & Thunder 
Beyoncé - Black Parade 
Jacob Collier Featuring Mahalia & Ty Dolla $ign - All I Need
Brittany Howard - Goat Head
Emily King - See Me

Best Traditional R&B Performance

The Baylor Project Featuring Jean Baylor & Marcus Baylor - Sit on Down
Chloe x Halle - Wonder What She Thinks of Me
Mykal Kilgore - Let Me Go
Ledisi - Anything for You
Yebba - Distance

Best R&B Song

Robert Glasper Featuring H.E.R. & Meshell Ndegeocello - Better Than I Imagine
Beyoncé - Black Parade
Tiana Major9 & EARTHGANG - Collide
Chloe x Halle - Do It
Skip Marley & H.E.R. - Slow Down

Best Progressive R&B Album

Jhené Aiko - Chilombo
Chloe X Halle - Ungodly Hour
Free Nationals - Free Nationals
Robert Glasper - F*** Yo Feelings
Thundercat - It Is What It Is

Best R&B Album

Ant Clemons - Happy 2 Be Here
Giveon - Take Time
Luke James - To Feel Love/d
John Legend - Bigger Love
Gregory Porter - All Rise

Best Rap Song

Lil Baby - The Bigger Picture
Roddy Ricch - The Box
Drake Featuring Lil Durk - Laugh Now, Cry Later
DaBaby Featuring Roddy Ricch - Rockstar
Megan Thee Stallion Featuring Beyoncé - Savage

Best Rap Album

D SMOKE - Black Habits
Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist - Alfredo
Jay Electronica - A Written Testimony
Nas - King’s Disease
Royce 5’9” - The Allegory

Best Country Solo Performance

Eric Church - Stick That in Your Country Song
Brandy Clark - Who You Thought I Was
Vince Gill - When My Amy Prays
Mickey Guyton - Black Like Me
Miranda Lambert - Bluebird

Best Country Duo/Group Performance

Brothers Osborne - All Night
Dan + Shay & Justin Bieber - 10,000 Hours
Lady A - Ocean
Little Big Town - Sugar Coat
Old Dominion - Some People Do

Best Country Song

Miranda Lambert - Bluebird
Maren Morris - The Bones
The Highwomen - Crowded Table
Ingrid Andress - More Hearts than Mine
Old Dominion - Some People Do

Best Country Album

Ingrid Andress - Lady Like
Brandy Clark - Your Life Is a Record
Miranda Lambert - Wildcard
Little Big Town - Nightfall
Ashley McBryde - Never Will