Guitar at the Grammys 2023: Wet Leg, Nirvana, Turnstile and More
Here are some highlights from the biggest night in music.
Image: Leon Bennett / Getty Images
The 65th Annual Grammy Awards has come to an end. Winners from Sunday night ran the gamut from emerging stars like Samara Joy to seasoned Grammy veterans like Beyoncé, Harry Styles and Sam Smith.
For those unacquainted with the glitzy event, let’s check out how the guitar world has fared on music’s biggest night.
Here are some highlights:
Molly Tuttle wins Best Bluegrass Album
Singer, multi-instrumentalist and guitar virtuoso Molly Tuttle picked up the Best Bluegrass Album Award for her 2022 album Crooked Tree. Recorded with Bluegrass band Golden Highway, the album takes a heartfelt inventory of the guitar-slinger’s earliest experiences growing up in Northern California.
Tuttle’s first-time Grammy nomination also saw her competing in the all-genre Best New Artist category, where Jazz singer Samara Joy ultimately emerged as winner.
Ozzy Osbourne picks up rock and metal wins
Ozzy’s recent bout of health troubles did not stop him from snagging two awards on Sunday night. The 74-year-old won Best Rock Album category for his album Patient Number 9, beating out contenders like Machine Gun Kelly with Mainstream Sellout and The Boy Named If by Elvis Costello & The Imposters.
He also picked up 2023’s Best Metal Performance for the song Degradation Trip featuring Tommy Iommi. And while the Prince of Darkness did not appear in person, he managed to send his warm regards — via producer Andrew Watt — with the messages “I love you all” and “Fuck off!”
Wet Leg win alternative performance, alternative album
English indie rock outfit Wet Leg took home this year’s Best Alternative Performance title with their song Chaise Longue. The breakout stars’ self-titled debut effort also won the Best Alternative Music Album award, a category that saw some pretty intense competition from Björk, Arcade Fire, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and Big Thief.
Turnstile Fans upset over snub
Meanwhile, fans of Turnstile were less than impressed at the band’s lack of wins on a night where they were nominated for 3 categories — Best Rock Song, Best Rock Performance, and Best Metal Performance — the last of which, yes, had already sent metal fans reeling when it was first announced.
The silver lining? It’s Turnstile’s first-ever Grammy nomination and according to the Internet, the band is at least ‘winning the red carpet’.
👏👏 TURNSTILE didn't win a Grammy, but they won the red carpet. pic.twitter.com/4Fx5uc5y9k
— revolvermag (@Revolvermag) February 6, 2023
Nirvana, Nile Rodgers honoured
Grunge icons Nirvana and music legend Nile Rodgers among others were awarded the Lifetime Achievement Grammy at the Recording Academy’s Special Merit Awards ceremony on Saturday afternoon.
An emotional Rodgers thanked the likes of David Bowie, Madonna, Diana Ross, Mick Jagger and more, saying he “didn’t see this shit coming at all” when he received the news.
Snarky Puppy win Best Contemporary Instrumental Album
Finally, Jazz-funk ensemble Snarky Puppy scored their fifth trophy at this year’s Grammys, winning the Best Contemporary Instrumental Album with their Dallas-themed live record Empire Central.
This is the fourth time the Michael League-led band has won that category in the last eight years. Which probably is a sign that you should check out their music…