Filled with the usual award show antics, awkward PR stunts, and questionably “funny” hosts, this year’s American Music Awards were drenched in their typical shower of A-list performances. From BTS to Olivia Rodrigo performing and Silk Sonic and Cardi B as hosts, this event simply revealed how these shows are more about the performances than the awards themselves. This, however, did not stop them from wedging in a disastrous, semi-applied theme about the artists’ hometown. Not only is the theme boring, but it’s also confusing: because isn’t the theme for a Music Awards’ show supposed to be MUSIC AWARDS?
Regardless, the savvy melange of performances from first-timers Rodrigo and Måneskin to veteran superstars like J.Lo, the lineup was delightful for all audiences! Let’s delve further into the highs and lows of the show:
At this point, it’s a given: Tyler, the Creator, will always be the highlight wherever he performs, but his surprising tricks never fail to impress. At the AMAs, Tyler performed his self-critical cut “MASSA” in front of a packed house and snowy landscape. On the other hand, Cardi B’s usual quips were lost behind scripted jokes and regularly painful increases in her pitch. The anticipation of what the next wild thing she’ll say was undoubtedly missed when she stuck to a casual hosting game that was far from memorable, especially for someone who makes hilariously unforgettable moments without even trying.
Giveon, contrarily, stole the show. Having climbed the charts over the past year thanks to his velvety, expressive baritone, he proved only sounds better during a live performance of his hit “Heartbreak Anniversary.” Like a modern-day Ne-Yo, the R&B singer had the crowd squealing so audibly that it threatened to drown out his creamy vocalizing.
Unfortunately, some of our favourites failed to deliver this time. BTS and Coldplay performed their song “My universe” in a technical mess of a performance. This was their first live performance, but I think it’s safe for me to say that if they’re always going to sound like this, it’s OK if it’s their last. At least we can affirm the vocals were live, but only because they were so off-key.
Olivia Rodrigo smashed the stage this time, having already smashed the camera in her last Good 4 U performance. In her AMAs debut, Rodrigo preserved her story’s raw emotion and honesty and her music, singing a simplistic, acoustic performance. She proved why her name appears seven times in this year’s Grammy nominations.
Rest assured, the AMA’s did quite successfully what the VMA’s tried and failed to do: deliver (some) exceptional music performances – which is what it is all about!
