At the very performance-heavy 2022 GRAMMYs, returning host Trevor Noah perhaps summed it up best. "Don't think of this as an award show," he stressed. "It's a concert where we are giving out awards."
True to his words, the all-killer-no-filler ceremony gave music lovers nothing but nourishment, eschewing extraneous bits to let the performers shine. And when the ceremony took a break from performances, it did for very good reasons — like to play a gripping speech from Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, or pay tribute to fallen Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins.
You can find complete coverage of those events and more at GRAMMY.com, but for now, it's time to shine a spotlight on the performers themselves. Below, rewatch every performance from the 2022 GRAMMYs and catch up on those artists' wins and nominations during Music's Biggest Night.
Silk Sonic Performed "777"
The soulful duo of Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak kicked things off with a funky version of their fittingly Vegas-inspired track "777." At the 2022 GRAMMYs, Silk Sonic were nominated for GRAMMYs for Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year, Best R&B Performance, and Best R&B Song — all for "Leave the Door Open" — and won in all four categories. Click here to watch it on Facebook.
Olivia Rodrigo Performed "Drivers License"
Rodrigo performed her signature song — well, so far — partly in an onstage Mercedes. She was nominated in seven categories and won GRAMMYs for Best New Artist, Best Pop Vocal Album (SOUR) and Best Pop Vocal Performance ("drivers license"). Click here to watch it on Facebook.
Read More: The Meteoric Rise Of Olivia Rodrigo: How The "Drivers License" Singer Became Gen Z's Queen of Pop
J Balvin Performed "Qué Más Pues?" & "In Da Ghetto"
Together with Argentine singer Maria Becerra, the Colombian singer/rapper performed their joint single "Qué Más Pues?" before flying solo for "In Da Ghetto." Click here to watch the video on Facebook.
BTS Performed "Butter"
K-pop heroes BTS went full James Bond for their rendition of their hit 2021 single, “Butter.” There was even some magic involved: While milling through the crowd mid-performance, V produced a card from behind Olivia Rodrigo's ear. Click here to watch the video on Facebook.
Read More: Smooth Like "Butter": How BTS' GRAMMY-Nominated Mega Hit Came To Be
Lil Nas X Performed "Dead Right Now," "Montero (Call Me by Your Name)" & "Industry Baby”
The "Old Town Road" star performed three cuts from his 2021 album Montero, with rapper Jack Harlow joining him for an electric rendition of their collaboration, "Industry Baby." Click here to watch the video on Facebook.
Billie Eilish & FINNEAS Performed "Happier Than Ever"
True to the ever-swelling "Happier Than Ever," Eilish and FINNEAS performed the tune first in a waterlogged house, then on a rooftop during a storm. Click here to watch the video on Facebook.
Read More: Billie Eilish's Road To Happier Than Ever: How The Superstar Continues To Break Pop's Status Quo
Brandi Carlile Performed "Right On Time"
Carlile performed a ruminative version of her heart-tugging song "Right On Time," from In These Silent Days.
Nas Performed "I Can," "Made You Look," "One Mic," & "Rare"
The legendary MC performed a career-spanning medley featuring a brass section and four-time GRAMMY winner Robert Glasper on piano. Click here to watch the video on Facebook.
Chris Stapleton Performed "Cold"
The very bearded country hero performed "Cold," from his 2020 album Starting Over. Stapleton was nominated for GRAMMYs for Best Country Solo Performance ("You Should Probably Leave"), Best Country Song ("Cold") and Best Country Album (Starting Over), and won in all three categories. Click here to watch the video on Facebook.
John Legend Performed "Free"
After a riveting, pre-taped speech by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky about choosing sound over silence, truth over lies and peace over war, 12-time GRAMMY winner John Legend performed a touching song, "Free," which sampled pieces of the spiritual "Go Down Moses."
As the performance went on, Legend was joined by three Ukrainian artists: bandura player Siuzanna Iglidan, singer Mika Newton and poet Lyuba Yakimchuk. Click here to watch the video on Facebook.
Lady Gaga Performed "Love for Sale" & "Do I Love You"
Tony Bennett may have retired from performing at 95, but his presence was keenly felt at the 2022 GRAMMYs. He bowed out with 2021's excellent Love for Sale, his second collaborative album with Lady Gaga — and Gaga did Bennett justice with a lavish tribute.
The pair’s second collaborative album, Love For Sale, won Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album — their second win in the category, following their 2015 victory for Cheek To Cheek. Click here to watch the video on Facebook.
Jon Batiste Performed "Freedom"
The pianist and multi-hyphenate celebrated his 11 nominations at the 2022 GRAMMYs with a vibrant version of "Freedom" from his 2021 album WE ARE.
Out of those 11, Batiste won GRAMMYs for Album Of The Year (WE ARE), Best American Roots Performance, Best American Roots Song ("Cry"), Best Music Video ("Freedom"), and Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media (Pixar's Soul). Click here to watch the video on Facebook.
Justin Bieber Performed "Peaches"
Building from a sparse piano ballad to full-blown R&B jam session alongside collaborators Giveon and Daniel Caesar, Bieber thrilled the 2022 GRAMMYs stage with his top-down Justice hit "Peaches." Click here to watch the video on Facebook.
H.E.R. Performed "Damage," "We Made It" & Lenny Kravitz's "Are You Gonna Go My Way"
With assistance from Lenny Kravitz, Travis Barker, Jimmy Jam, and Terry Lewis, H.E.R. performed two originals and a Kravitz jam.
H.E.R. took home her fifth golden gramophone this year, winning the GRAMMY for Best Traditional R&B Performance for "Fight For You." Click here to watch the video on Facebook.
Carrie Underwood Performed "Ghost Story"
The 2022 GRAMMYs ended with two country luminaries, starting with Carrie Underwood, who performed "Ghost Story." The superstar won her eighth GRAMMY — but her first in the Best Roots Gospel Album category — for her gospel project, My Savior. Click here to watch the video on Facebook.
Brothers Osborne Performed "Dead Man's Curve"
Last but certainly not least, Brothers Osborne played "Dead Man's Curve." (Their last GRAMMYs appearance was back in 2018, when they performed a tribute to the victims of the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting in Las Vegas a year prior.)
After scoring nine nominations since 2016, Brothers Osborne won their first GRAMMY in 2022. Their poignant single "Younger Me" was awarded the GRAMMY for Best Country Duo/Group Performance. Click here to watch the video on Facebook.