At the Grammy Awards in February, Harry Styles experienced a nightmare when the stage he was on began to turn in the opposite direction.
When a technical issue caused their stage to go backward, the performer and his dancers had to hastily alter their act.
But rather than berate the technicians, Styles “called the team in charge to make sure they were OK,” says Grammys set designer Julio Himede.
The mishap “was heart-breaking,” he told the BBC’s Eurovisioncast podcast.
“In rehearsals his performance was so polished. I was sitting there admiring how amazing Harry and his dancers were to just run with it and cope with it.
“To continue the performance live and all of a sudden think, ‘I have to just go in reverse now’, is quite incredible”.
Image caption,Dancers had previously said they had to think on their feet when the turntable they had rehearsed on started spinning the wrong way
After the Grammys, Himede’s next major project is the set design for the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest.
He said mishaps like the one Styles endured show why multiple rehearsals are so important for live television.
“What’s really interesting about working on Eurovision is that we have 37 artists performing on that stage,” he told Eurovisioncast.
“Whereas, when we do the Grammy’s we might have up to 13 performances. Everything [at Eurovision] is bigger and larger. Everything’s faster.”
He explained that a typical award show has three minutes between performances. At the song contest, the stage has to be reset in less than 60 seconds.
“It is mesmerising because most people don’t realise, unless you’re there in the arena, what it takes.
Watch: Mae Muller’s song entry for Eurovision 2023 and fan reaction
This year’s Eurovision stage is based on the themes of “togetherness, celebration and community”, acknowledging that the UK is hosting the show on behalf of last year’s winners, Ukraine.
The stage “takes inspiration from a wide hug, opening its arms to Ukraine, the show’s performers and guests from across the world,” Himede said when his design was unveiled last month.
Construction will begin construction at Liverpool’s M&S arena by the end of the month, with several previously-booked shows cancelled or moved to make way for the competition.
Weeks of rehearsals will be held to ensure that none of the performers suffer a similar fate to Styles, in front of the contest’s 160 million viewers.
Tickets for the nine shows in Liverpool sold out in 90 minutes last week, with fans being warned that hotels they have booked are being targeted by phishing email cyber-attacks putting their data at risk.
Beyoncé won a record-breaking 32nd Grammy Award, while Harry Styles won album of the year, at this year’s ceremony in Los Angeles.
Beyoncé made history as she won best dance/electronic album for her euphoric dance opus, Renaissance.
In doing so, she overtook Hungarian-British conductor George Solti, whose record of 31 Grammys had stood for more than 20 years.
“I’m trying not to be too emotional,” said the star, accepting her prize.
“I’m trying to just receive this night.”
She went on to thank her family, including her late uncle Jonny, who helped make her stage outfits before she became famous.
Beyoncé has previously said his battle with HIV influenced her interest in dance music, and its historical ties to the LGBTQ community, on Renaissance.
Overall, Beyoncé won four prizes at the ceremony – but missed some of the early presentations after getting stuck in gridlocked downtown Los Angeles.
“I’m surprised traffic could stop you,” joked host Trevor Noah. “I thought you travelled through space and time.”
Image caption, Beyoncé’s historic achievement was celebrated at her table – with Adele and Jay-Z among those toasting the singer
Despite her success, Beyoncé was once again locked out of the coveted album of the year award.
She has now lost the prize four times, most notably in 2017 when her confessional masterpiece Lemonade was beaten by Adele’s 25.
At the time, Adele used her acceptance speech to say Beyoncé was the more deserving winner (although she held on to the trophy).
This year, Harry Styles took the crown, with Grammy voters recognising the slick, radio-friendly pop of his third record Harry’s House.
In his speech, the British star downplayed the importance of the prize.
“On nights like tonight, it’s obviously so important for us to remember that there is no such thing as best in music,” said the singer.
“I don’t think any of us sit in the studio, making decisions based on what is going to get us one of these.”
Image caption, Harry Styles also gave an energetic performance of his hit single As It Was
However, he was visibly moved by the honour, adding: “This doesn’t happen to people like me very often, and this is so, so nice.”
Earlier in the night, the star also won best pop album – receiving his award with a kiss from Jennifer Lopez.
“This album from start to finish has been the greatest experience of my life,” he said. “From making it with two of my best friends to playing for people has been the greatest joy I could have asked for.”
British artists triumph
Billed as “music’s biggest night”, the Grammys are the industry’s most prestigious awards.
Sunday’s show was attended by Adele, Taylor Swift, Jay-Z, Shania Twain and Stevie Wonder, with performances from Lizzo, Steve Lacy and Brandi Carlile.
British artists had a good night, with indie duo Wet Leg winning two prizes, including best alternative album; and Sam Smith receiving best pop duo/group performance for Unholy, a duet with Kim Petras.
Smith’s prize was their first Grammy since 2015, when they won four trophies, including best new artist.
However, the singer let Petras take the microphone to mark another historical achievement.
“Sam graciously wanted me to accept this award because I’m the first transgender woman to win this award,” said the German-born singer.
Image caption, Sam Smith and Kim Petras shared their award
She went on to thank the late, transgender pop artist Sophie for “kicking these doors open”, and Madonna “for fighting for LGBTQ rights”, before dedicating the award to her mother.
“I grew up next to nowhere in Germany and my mother believed me, that I was a girl,” she said, as Smith looked on with pride. “I wouldn’t be here without her and her support.”
The duo later gave a sultry, BDSM-inspired performance of their ode to infidelity, introduced by Madonna.
“If they call you shocking, scandalous, troublesome, problematic, provocative, or dangerous you’re definitely onto something,” said the star.
Tributes and memories
Adele also won best pop vocal performance for Easy On Me, dedicating the prize to her son Angelo.
The singer told the audience she had written the first verse “in the shower when I was choosing to change my son’s life”, by divorcing her then-husband, Simon Konecki.
She added: “I love a piano ballad winning any kind of award because it’s very old school and very brave.”
Image caption, Adele has now won 16 Grammys across her career
Singer-songwriter Bonnie Raitt was the surprise winner of song of the year – beating favourites Taylor Swift and Beyoncé with her sorrowful ballad Just Like That.
Voters were undoubtedly moved by Raitt’s tender lyrics, in which a woman mourning the death of her son finds comfort from the man who received his heart in a transplant.
“I’m so proud that you appreciate this one,” said the 72-year-old, accepting her trophy.
Image caption, Bad Bunny’s performance brought a carnival atmosphere to Los Angeles
Bad Bunny opened the show in an explosion of colour, replicating a Puerto Rican fiesta in the aisles of Los Angeles’ Crypto.com arena.
His medley of El Apagón and Después De La Playa was enhanced with pyrotechnics, dozens of dancers and a troop of cabezudos, the “bighead” puppets that march down the streets of San Juan every January.
He later won the prize for best Música Urbana album, in recognition of Un Verano Sin Ti, which spent 13 weeks at number one in the US last year.
“I made this album with love and passion, and when you do things with love and passion, everything is easier,” said the singer.
Other performances came from Americana star Brandi Carlile and Lizzo, who gave a gospel-infused take on her current single, Special.
She later won record of the year for About Damn Time, and used her speech to honour Prince, who gave her an early break on his song Boytrouble.
“When we lost Prince, I decided to dedicate my life to making positive music.” She also paid tribute to Beyoncé, calling her “the artist of our lives”.
Image caption, Public Enemy were among the acts marking the 50th anniversary of hip-hop
The in memoriam section gave an emotional send-off to stars like Olivia Newton-John, Irene Cara, David Crosby and Jeff Beck.
Kacey Musgraves played a heartfelt version of Coal Miner’s Daughter in tribute to the “Queen of Country” Loretta Lynn; while Fleetwood Mac star Christine McVie was honoured with a performance of her signature hit, Songbird, by Sheryl Crow, Bonnie Raitt and Mick Fleetwood.
And Migos rapper Quavo played Without You – a song he wrote after the tragic death of his nephew and bandmate Takeoff last November.
In a more celebratory moment, the stage was taken over by more than two dozen rap icons, celebrating 50 years of hip-hop.
Turntable pioneer Grandmaster Flash kicked off the set with Flash Was On The Beat, cueing up an almost 12-minute trawl through the genre’s greatest hits.
Run-DMC played Rock The Bells, Public Enemy delivered a verse of Yo, Bum Rush The Show, Missy Elliot swept in for Lose Control and Busta Rhymes gave a show-stopping performance of his high-velocity rap from Chris Brown’s Look At Me Now.
Harry Styles pulled up the biggest surprise at the Grammys 2023 after winning the coveted album of the year award
The former One Direction singer fended off competition from music heavyweights such as Beyonce, Adele and Kendrick Lamar to scoop the grand prize of the night for his critically acclaimed and chart-topping album Harry’s House, released last summer.
As Grammys host Trevor Noah announced his name, Harry clutched his face and hugged Lizzo before giving a warm embrace to a very special superfan from Ontario, Canada 78-year-old grandmother Reina who got the chance to present him with the award on-stage.
He then said in his acceptance speech: ‘Man, I’ve been so, so inspired by every artist in this category with me. A lot of different times in my life, I listened to everyone in this category when I’m alone.
‘I feel like on nights like tonight, there is no such thing as “best in music”. I don’t think any of us sit in the studio making decisions based on what’s gonna get us one of these.’
Harry Styles and Olivia Wilde have reportedly called it quits.
Sources close to the couple told People that Styles and Wilde are “taking a break” after two years together. “He’s still touring and is now going abroad. She is focusing on her kids and her work in L.A.,” said one source. “It’s a very amicable decision.”
According to Page Six, there’s no “bad blood” between Styles and Wilde.
“There is no bad blood between them. Harry didn’t dump Olivia, or vice versa,” another source told the outlet. “This is the longest relationship Harry’s ever had, so clearly they have a special bond.”
The break-up appears to be a result of the former couple’s conflicting schedules, with Styles set to return overseas to continue his Love On Tour, which will take the pop star across Latin America before heading to Australia, Asia, the UK, and Europe in 2023. Wilde plans to remain in Los Angeles to focus on her two children.
“They’re on a break. It’s impossible to have a relationship when he’s in every continent next year and Olivia has her job and her kids,” the source explained. “This is the right thing for both of them.”
The 38-year-old filmmaker and the 28-year-old singer first met on the set of their film Don’t Worry Darling in September 2020.
A few months later, Styles and Wilde began dating following the latter’s split from fiancé Jason Sudeikis, whom she shares son Otis and daughter Daisy.
Taylor Swift capped off a huge month by winning four trophies at the MTV Europe Music Awards.
The star, whose latest album Midnights has topped the charts all around the world, was named best artist and best pop act.
She also won best video and best longform video, both for All Too Well (10 Minute Version), starring Stranger Things actress Sadie Sink.
Harry Styles, Blackpink and Nicki Minaj also took home trophies.
Swift is now tied with Lady Gaga as the singer with most MTV Europe awards. Both acts have 12 each.
Presented with her best artist award by Baywatch star David Hasselhoff, Swift dedicated the prize to her fans.
“There’s not a single moment I take that for granted,” she said. “I can’t believe I get to do this as a job, and it’s all because of you. Thank you so, so much.”
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Taika Waititi and Rita Ora oversaw the ceremony in Germany
The ceremony was held in Düsseldorf, Germany and hosted by film director Taika Waititi and pop star Rita Ora, who were married over the summer.
Not the most polished of presenters, they frequently talked over one another – but managed to cycle through eight outfit changes during the evening.
“You’re thriving,” said Taylor Swift, when Ora asked for an appraisal of their hosting duties. “You’re eating it alive”.
David Guetta and Bebe Rexha kicked off the show with a blast, performing their hit I’m Good (Blue), which went on to win the best collaboration award.
OneRepublic performed I Ain’t Worried – their hit single from the summer blockbuster Top Gun: Maverick – following a video introduction from the film’s star, Tom Cruise.
The show also featured performances by Ava Max, Tate McRae Stormzy, Gorillaz, Lewis Capaldi and best rock winners Muse.
Figure caption, Warning: Third party content may contain adverts
Figure caption, Warning: Third party content may contain adverts
Figure caption, Warning: Third party content may contain adverts
Figure caption, Warning: Third party content may contain adverts
There was also a special appearance by Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra, the winners of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, who lit up the arena in the colours of the Ukrainian flag as they performed Stefania.
Speaking on the red carpet, lead singer Oleg Psyuk told the PA news agency that “culture is one of our weapons” in the war against Russia “so today we are are soldiers that present Ukraine’s culture”.
MTV also gave a special award to three young Ukrainian women who are tackling the country’s humanitarian crisis.
Anna Kutova, Lina Deshvar and Anfisa Yakovina have been providing shelter for refugees, evacuating and caring for families with children, and therapy for those have been separated from their loved ones.
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Fans waved Ukrainian flags as Kalush Orchestra took to the stage
In the music categories, British pop star Harry Styles won best live act, while Korean pop group BTS won the biggest fans prize.
Fellow K-pop stars Blackpink won best metaverse performance, for the concert they held in the video game PUBG. The band’s singer Lisa Manobal also won best K-pop for her solo album, Lalisa,
Nicki Minaj was awarded best hip-hop artist and best song for Super Freaky Girl; while the “Video for Good” prize went to Sam Smith and Kim Petras for their number one smash Unholy.
Swift’s All Too Well had previously won best video at the US version of the MTV Awards in September, and is expected to be put forward for best short film at next year’s Oscars.
Directed by Swift herself, the clip draws inspiration from 1970s Hollywood and recounts the ups and downs of a fraying romantic relationship.
The song itself dates back to Swift’s 2012 album Red. The star re-recorded the song last year, adding verses that had been omitted from the original, as part of an ongoing project to reclaim ownership of her master recordings, which were sold against her will to an investment fund in 2019.
As she accepted the video’s second award on Sunday night, Swift recalled how the project “almost never happened”.
“The older version of this song came out like 10 years ago and it was never a single. It was never supposed to even have a music video, nonetheless a short film.
“I can only explain this by saying that the fans willed this to happen. I will never stop thanking you for this.”
Full list of winners
Best Song: Nicki Minaj – Super Freaky Girl
Best Video: Taylor Swift – All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version)
Best Artist: Taylor Swift
Best Collaboration: David Guetta & Bebe Rexha – I’m Good (Blue)
Best Live: Harry Styles
Best Pop: Taylor Swift
Best New: SEVENTEEN
Best K-Pop: Lisa
Best Latin: Anitta
Best Electronic: David Guetta
Best Hip-Hop: Nicki Minaj
Best Rock: Muse
Best Alternative: Gorillaz
Best R&B: Chlӧe
Best Longform Video: Taylor Swift – All Too Well (10 Minute Version)
Video For Good: Sam Smith – Unholy (ft. Kim Petras)
Biggest Fans: BTS
Best Push: SEVENTEEN
Best Metaverse Performance: BLACKPINK – The Virtual PUBG Mobile
Best Look’: Rita Ora
Generation Change: Lina Deshvar, Anna Kutova and Anfisa Yakovina
Miley Cyrus, Harry Styles and Gene Kelly have some of the UK’s biggest streaming hits
What do Gene Kelly’s Singin’ In The Rain and The Notorious B.I.G.’s rap anthem Juicy have in common?
No, it’s not an infectious joie de vivre, or copious references to recreational drug use.
Instead, they are the UK’s most-streamed songs from the calendar year in which they were released.
That’s according to the Official Chart Company, who have identified the biggest streaming hit for every year since the chart’s inception in 1952.
Their findings will be broadcast on BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2 next weekend, marking 70 years of the UK singles chart.
The list features superstars from Elvis and the Beatles to Adele and Harry Styles – alongside several songs that were overlooked on release, only to be reclaimed as classics over time.
They include San Francisco rock band Journey, whose single Don’t Stop Believin’ stalled at number 62 in 1981, but subsequently became a rock standard, thanks to its inclusion in TV shows like The Sopranos and Glee.
It is now the most-streamed song of that year, overtaking contemporary hits like Come On Eileen (the UK’s biggest-selling record of 1982) and Survivor’s Eye Of The Tiger.
Figure caption, Warning: Third party content may contain adverts
Ray Charles’ I Got A Woman has enjoyed a similar second-life after being interpolated in Kanye West’s 2005 hit Gold Digger. The track is now the most-played hit of 1954, and has been certified silver (representing 200,000 sales) on streams alone.
By contrast, some of the biggest songs of their era are entirely absent from the Official Charts’ list.
Bryan Adams’ Everything I Do (I Do It For You) spent 16 consecutive weeks at number one in 1991 – an all-time chart record – but Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit is now more popular with streaming fans.
2013’s biggest-selling hit, Robin Thicke’s Blurred Lines, has also fallen out of favour, replaced by Vance Joy’s beach ballad Riptide.
Figure caption, Warning: Third party content may contain adverts
Other entries are more predictable.
The Killers’ Mr Brightside, which has spent an unprecedented 338 weeks on the UK singles chart, is the most-played song of 2003 respectively. And streaming behemoth Ed Sheeran appears in the list three times – for Thinking Out Loud (2014), Shape Of You (2017) and Bad Habits (2021).
Queen also get three entries, with Bohemian Rhapsody (1975), Don’t Stop Me Now (1979) and Another One Bites The Dust (1980).
The Beatles’ sole entry, Here Comes The Sun, was never released as a single in the UK.
Christmas songs have been excluded from the countdown.
The full chart will be broadcast decade by decade on BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2 on 11 and 12 November, with guest hosts including Tony Blackburn, Johnnie Walker, Fearne Cotton and Jack Saunders.
“It’s particularly fascinating to see which classic songs from the past are rated by today’s music consumers, and how that appeal can be driven by exposure on TV, adverts and social media,” said Robert Gallacher, commissioning editor at BBC Radio.
“This chart is a true testament to the timelessness of brilliant pop music.”
You can browse the full countdown below.
1950s
1952 – Singin’ In The Rain by Gene Kelly
1953 – That’s Amore by Dean Martin
1954 – I’ve Got A Woman by Ray Charles
1955 – Tutti Frutti by Little Richard
1956 – I Walk The Line by Johnny Cash
1957 – Jailhouse Rock by Elvis Presley
1958 – Johnny B. Goode by Chuck Berry
1959 – Put Your Head On My Shoulder by Paul Anka
1960s
1960 – At Last by Etta James
1961 – Stand By Me by Ben E King
1962 – Cry To Me by Solomon Burke
1963 – Be My Baby by Ronettes
1964 – My Girl by The Temptations
1965 – I Can’t Help Myself by Four Tops
1966 – Paint It Black by Rolling Stones
1967 – Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
1968 – (Sittin’ On The) Dock Of The Bay by Otis Redding
1969 – Here Comes The Sun by Beatles
1970s
1970 – Your Song by Elton John
1971 – Take Me Home Country Roads by John Denver
1972 – Tiny Dancer by Elton John
1973 – Jolene by Dolly Parton
1974 – Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd
1975 – Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
1976 – Go Your Own Way by Fleetwood Mac
1977 – Dreams by Fleetwood Mac
1978 – September by Earth Wind & Fire
1979 – Don’t Stop Me Now by Queen
1980s
1980 – Another One Bites The Dust by Queen
1981 – Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey
1983 – Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) by Eurythmics
1984 – Wake Me Up Before You Go Go by Wham
1985 – Summer Of ’69 by Bryan Adams
1986 – Livin’ On A Prayer by Bon Jovi
1987 – I Wanna Dance With Somebody by Whitney Houston
1988 – Everywhere by Fleetwood Mac
1989 – We Didn’t Start The Fire by Billy Joel
1990s
1990 – Thunderstruck by AC/DC
1991 – Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana
1992 – Creep by Radiohead
1993 – What Is Love? by Haddaway
1994 – Juicy by The Notorious B.I.G
1995 – Wonderwall by Oasis
1996 – No Diggity by Blackstreet Ft. Dr Dre
1997 – Bitter Sweet Symphony by The Verve
1998 – Iris by Goo Goo Dolls
2000s
2000 – Dancing In The Moonlight by Toploader
2001 – How You Remind Me by Nickelback
2002 – Lose Yourself by Eminem
2003 – Mr Brightside by The Killers
2004 – Let Me Love You by Mario
2005 – I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor by Arctic Monkeys
Harry Styles has shared the visual for his Harry’s House album cut, “Music For a Sushi Restaurant.”
In the Aube Perrie-directed music video, the singer is a merman who is captured by workers at a restaurant. While, at first, the workers try to kill Styles, they instead begin catering to him and he starts performing at the eatery.
However, the restaurant still has its sights set on Styles.
With “Music For a Sushi Restaurant,” “As It Was,” and “Late Night Talking,” Styles is the first male artist to ever have three songs in the Top 10 on Pop radio, and the third artist ever in Pop Airplay chart history to land this record.
Watch the video for “Music For a Sushi Restaurant” up top or stream the song below.
Two of the UK’s biggest music stars paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth IIin concert on Thursday.
Harry Styles paused to honor the late monarch during his latest Madison Square Garden show.
“From my homeland there’s some very sad news today,” Styles told the crowd Thursday night, before he led the audience in a round of applause.
“Thank you, Madison Square Garden,” he said.
Styles’ fellow Brit Elton John also paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II with kind words at his concert in Toronto.
“I’m 75, and she’s been with me all my life, and I feel very sad that she won’t be with me anymore, but I’m glad she’s at peace,” John told the crowd. “I’m glad she’s at rest, and she deserves it. She worked bloody hard.”
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II died on Thursday at the age of 96, bringing to a close a reign that spanned seven decades.
Harry Styles appeared in a video message, thanking his fans for voting for him to win album of the year British nominees largely lost out to US counterparts at this year’s awards, with only Harry Styles taking home a major prize with album of the year.
The 28-year-old apologised to fans for his absence at the show despite being “just down the road” performing at Madison Square Garden in New York.
“Thank you so so much for this award,” he said in a video message. “I know this is a fan-voted award, I’d like to say thank you to all of my fans who voted, thank you so so much, I obviously wouldn’t be holding this if it wasn’t for you.
“I’m sorry I can’t be on stage with you tonight, I’m about to go on stage just down the road, but I hope you’re having a wonderful evening.”
Harry Styles, Sam Fender and Little Simz are among the artists competing for this year’s Mercury Prize, arguably British music’s most prestigious award.
Recognising the best British or Irish album of the last 12 months, the Mercury has previously gone to acts like Pulp, Skepta and PJ Harvey.
A shimmering, fleet-footed pop record, it’s unlikely to win (no pop artist has taken the prize since M People in 1994) but marks another step in the star’s ascension to Britain’s pop elite.
Sam Fender’s Seventeen Going Under is another chart-topper, full of sax-soaked rock epics that tackle life, death, family trauma and the social deprivation in England’s North East.
Image source, EPAImage caption, Little Simz picks up her second nomination at this year’s prize
London rapper Little Simz is one of two returning nominees, having previously been shortlisted for her 2019 album Grey Area.
This year, she’s recognised for Sometimes I Might Be Introvert, an orchestral hip-hop album in which she reckons with her public and personal demons, to stirring effect.
Guitarist Bernard Butler, who won the second ever Mercury Prize with Suede in 1993, also makes a return, this time for his collaboration with actress Jessie Buckley, better known for her roles in Chernobyl, Wild Rose and The Lost Daughter (for which she received an Oscar nomination).
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Jessie Buckley and Bernard Butler attended the Mercury Prize shortlist announcement on Tuesday, where all nominees receive trophies
The shortlist is completed by Leeds-based post-punk act Yard Act, south London soul singer Joy Crookes and rapper Kojey Radical.
Albums that missed out on a spot included Adele’s chart blockbuster 30, Charli XCX’s pop masterclass Crash, Dave’s We’re All In This Together and Florence and the Machine’s critically-acclaimed Dance Fever.
“‘Getting down to 12 albums this year was not easy,” said the judges in a statement, “simply because there were so many remarkable ones to choose from.
“Now comes the really hard part… choosing only one overall winner.”
That winner will be chosen on 8 September, the night of the Mercury Prize ceremony.
Until then, here’s all you need to know about this year’s nominees.
