Five things to watch out for at the Grammys Awards, the trophies of the American music industry

All eyes will be on Taylor Swift this February 4 in Los Angeles, but many omens have failed in the past regarding the winners of the Grammy Awards, who often have surprises in store.

The 66th version of the most prestigious awards in the American music industry constitutes a historic turning point for musicians and singers as well as for queer artists, in the running for some of the most beautiful trophies of the evening. Here are five things to watch out for during this Sunday’s ceremony.

Taylor aims for record

Taylor Swift could win six gramophones, including album of the year which would reward her latest opus, Midnights. If this prediction comes true, it would be his fourth Grammy in this category, a historic record. She would thus surpass legends like Frank Sinatra, Paul Simon and Stevie Wonder. The pop star is making headlines for her relationship with American football great Travis Kelce, but he is not expected to attend the ceremony. The Kansas City Chiefs star is preparing for the Super Bowl, the great event of American football which will take place on February 11 in Las Vegas.

Tracy Chapman, the return?

The Recording Academy, the body representing the American music industry, hands out most of its awards before the televised ceremony. Luke Combs, country singer absent from the nominations for the more prestigious awards, will be on stage. He made a splash with a cover of one of Tracy Chapman’s hits, his classic Fast Car (1988), which earned him a nomination for Best Solo Performance in the country category.

It is rumored that Tracy Chapman will make a rare appearance in public and will herself be present for a duet with Luke Combs. Viewers will also be treated to a performance by Billy Joel, who has just released a new single, his first original production in nearly 20 years.

Joni Mitchell on stage

Star Joni Mitchell will also perform, for the very first time. The 80-year-old Canadian singer, nominated in the folk album category for her live recording Joni Mitchell at Newportfirst concert since the rupture of an aneurysm which struck her in 2015.

But she’s not the only legend in the running. Two compilations of works by Bob Dylan and Lou Reed compete in the best historical album category even if the prize will be awarded to the producers and engineers who participated in the project, rather than to the artist.

Same thing for a video shot against the backdrop of I’m Only Sleeping of the Beatles, for which the director and producers are the only ones likely to be rewarded. This video appears on a list that includes Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, Tyler Childers or Troye Sivan.

The Barbies

Women are more represented than ever this year, with nine nominations for SZA, followed by Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo and boygenius.

But it’s Barbie: the Album, the soundtrack to Greta Gerwig’s film that garnered the most nominations, with a total of 11. The eclectic soundtrack to the global box office juggernaut earned nominations for artists like Billie Eilish and Dua Lipa, Ice Spice, favorite in the revelation of the year category and Ryan Gosling, in the running for I’m just Ken.