Some of the biggest names in music and popular culture all gathered together to be in attendance at the 56th annual Grammy Awards Jan. 27. While most DePaul students watched the numerous performances and awards from home, DePaul students Alexis Moberger and Melissa Halliwell were in attendance, among the likes of Beyonce, Paul McCartney and the host of the event, LL Cool J.
Most attendees consist of nominees and associate and voting members of The Recording Academy, but there are also tickets offered up to those who work for the Grammy Foundation and Grammy U.
According to Grammy365, Grammy U is a community of college students who are pursuing a career in the recording industry. An application is necessary to be accepted into the Grammy U community and to be a member of the Recording Academy.
DePaul senior Melissa Halliwell, a business management student, joined Grammy U at a kickoff party her freshman year with the DePaul Music Business Organization.
“It was only $50 for membership for all four years of school,” Halliwell said. “And they set up many events such as Q&As with touring artists, sound checks, and various other events that involve music or the music industry, so I signed up.”
Since Halliwell is a Recording Academy Member through her affiliation with Grammy U she was able to purchase tickets for the awards show, and was able to attend the after party as well.
“The best part of the show was being a part of such a fantastic production,” Halliwell said. “It was like a giant concert with all of music’s biggest stars. It was just amazing performance after amazing performance!”
Among her favorite performances at the awards were Beyoncè and Jay-Z, Imagine Dragons, Kendrick Lamar, Dave Grohl with Queens of the Stone Age and Nine Inch Nails, and one of the most talked about performances of the evening by Seattle-based rapper Macklemore.
During his performance at the Grammys for his song “Same Love,” Queen Latifah read marriage vows for 33 same-sex and straight couples, in a move that was praised by some for Macklemore’s message of gay rights and criticized by others as a publicity stunt.
“Attending 33 weddings at once was just so crazy,” Halliwell said. “I started crying.”
Another student in attendance at the awards show was DePaul junior Alexis Moberger, a journalism and women & gender studies student.
“I got tickets from a friend for a birthday present,” Moberger said. “I went to the official afterparty too – which was amazing.”
Moberger feels as if the show was the best Grammys show yet.
“The line up was amazing and the ending of the show was awesome,” Moberger said.
Agreeing with Halliwell’s feelings on the Macklemore performance, “It was such a great idea to wed people during the show,” Moberger added. “Although, my favorite performance was Katy Perry.”
The Grammys were filled with memorable moments and spectacular performances, and for all in attendance, were certainly a night to remember.