\n\tThe 2026 Grammy Awards delivered a crash course in the future of music with an ambitious medley starring its eight Best New Artist nominees.<\/p>\n
\n\tThe Mar\u00edas delivered a tender, slow-burning performance of <\/strong>\u201cNo One Noticed,\u201d with frontwoman Mar\u00eda Zardoya dramatically framed against a shimmering ocean background, and a striking, tremolo-heavy guitar solo from Jesse Perlman. The Mar\u00edas were previously nominated for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical in 2022 for Cinema<\/em>, then again as featured artists on Bad Bunny\u2019s Album of the Year-nominated record Un Verano Sin Ti<\/em> in 2023. <\/p>\n \n\tNext up was former TikTok Addison Rae<\/a>, who launched into \u201cFame is a Gun\u201d from her debut Addison<\/em> from the back of a truck outside the arena. The rest of the performance took place among shipping crates and ladders in the loading dock, complete with backup dancers, a wardrobe change, and full stage lighting. \u201cIt was a risk,\u201d Rae told Rolling Stone<\/em> of her pop career, \u201cknowing that people don\u2019t want to see somebody try something new.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tThe most veteran artist in the bunch, Leon Thomas<\/a>, emphasized live instruments in his guitar-heavy performance of \u201cMutt.\u201d The R&B star \u2014 who cut his teeth as a songwriter and producer for artists such as Ariana Grande, Drake, Kehlani, and more following his stint as a Nickelodeon star in the early 2010s \u2014 reveled in his solo spotlight, even burning through an Eddie Hazel-style solo. <\/em><\/p>\n \n\tThomas scored five additional nominations at this year\u2019s Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year and Best R&B Album for Mutt<\/em>. \u201cA lot of people are hyperfocused on wins or losses, but I feel like being recognized is such a beautiful thing,\u201d Thomas told Rolling Stone<\/em><\/a> <\/em>last year. \u201cNot to be on some pageant-show shit, but like that\u2019s really what it is. I\u2019m genuinely excited to be a part of this community.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tKatseye<\/a> continued where Rae left off in the loading dock, bringing girl groups back to the Grammys with the hypnotic viral hit \u201cGnarly.\u201d The group \u2014 Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj, Manon Bannerman, Megan Skiendiel, Sophia Laforteza, and Yoonchae Jeung \u2014 quickly made their way to the main stage for their choreo-heavy performance. <\/p>\n \t\tEditor\u2019s picks<\/p>\n<\/h2>\n<\/section>\n \n\tKatseye is the first girl group to perform at the awards ceremony since Destiny\u2019s Child took the stage with \u201cIndependent Women Part I\u201d and \u201cSay My Name\u201d in 2001. Katseye trained tirelessly to perfect their synergy onstage while competing on Pop Star Academy<\/em>; tonight, they proved it was all worth it.<\/p>\n \n\tIn addition to Rae, the Grammy Awards hosted a performance from another nominee who was once part of the TikTok collective known as the Hype House: Alex Warren<\/a>, who emerged from what appeared to be the concession stands before walking down into the arena, and eventually ascending toward the ceiling on a platform. The singer took the stage with his inescapable single \u201cOrdinary.\u201d The record currently sits at Number Five on the Billboard<\/em> Hot 100 in its 49th week on the chart, and previously spent 10 weeks at Number One. <\/em><\/strong>\u201cI think it\u2019s just important for me to keep reminding myself that I\u2019m here for a reason,\u201d Warren told Rolling Stone <\/em><\/a>last year. \u201cI deserve this, and I\u2019m trying to figure it out.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tLola Young<\/a> made a triumphant return to the stage with a theatrical solo-piano performance of her breakthrough single \u201cMessy,\u201d which also scored her a nomination for Best Pop Solo Performance. In September, the British artist announced that she would be stepping away from music<\/a> to prioritize her mental health and well-being after collapsing onstage at All Things Go in New York City. \u201cI really hope you\u2019ll give me a second chance once I\u2019ve had some time to work on myself and come back stronger,\u201d Young said at the time. Four months later, she\u2019s back in the ring.<\/p>\n\n
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