How the show will go on after LA wildfires

The music industry is responding to the Los Angeles wildfires

The wildfires in Los Angeles have affected countless people. I want to start off by sending good vibes and thoughts to everyone. Please check in on your friends and colleagues.

Given LA’s presence as the hub of entertainment, the music industry has been significantly impacted with artists, celebrities and behind-the-scenes employees losing their homes and livelihood.

For anyone in need of resources or assistance, please check out this list of organizations in the music industry providing relief for workers.

It’s been incredibly sad to watch the devastation from the outside. I know that many people have felt that celebrities, in particular, have been a bit tone deaf in lamenting about their losses on social media while regular people don’t have the same financial freedom or options…but I encourage everyone to show a little grace. Nature doesn’t discriminate and everyone is feeling sad, angry and scared right now.

Nobody knows what to do or how to respond. There’s no playbook for what to post (and if to post), so the lines between cringe and empathy are blurred at best. But going into a famous person’s comments section and blasting them isn’t helpful or necessary.

The music industry is trying to figure out, in real time, how to balance decorum and the need to return to normalcy. The Recording Academy announced this week that in addition to $2 million of funds distributed for emergency aid, the 2025 Grammy Awards will go on as planned. This is from a press release I received from Harvey Mason Jr., Recording Academy & MusiCares CEO:

In close coordination with local authorities to ensure public safety and responsible use of area resources, the 67th GRAMMY Awards telecast on CBS on February 2nd will proceed as planned. This year’s show, however, will carry a renewed sense of purpose: raising additional funds to support wildfire relief efforts and honoring the bravery and dedication of first responders who risk their lives to protect ours.

Meanwhile, Universal Music Group, the biggest record label group, is cancelling its Grammy parties and events as is Warner Music Group and Sony Music Group. I’ll go out on a limb and predict that Jay-Z’s famous Roc Nation brunch will also be put on hiatus this year.

I understand that the mood in the industry is far from celebratory right now. Universal Music Group CEO Lucien Grainge shared that at least 50 employees are “totally displaced”. The Weeknd cancelled his Rose Bowl performance and postponed his new album.

But I do believe that the Grammys show should go on. The most obvious reason, it’s a huge fundraising opportunity for the Recording Academy and MusiCares. The funds raised can help the people who make the industry work, most of whom, are not famous or rich.

Furthermore, the industry is reeling following the pandemic and WGA strike. Any opportunity for the behind-the-scenes employees, contractors and freelancers to work needs to happen. Most people don’t have the luxury of going to their second home in Palm Springs or simply not working. The vast majority of our industry lives paycheck-to-paycheck. So many rely on every single job to keep the lights on, to be able to afford health insurance, save, etc.

The wildfires have been an unimaginable tragedy but LA is resilient. It will return and rebuild without a doubt. But right now, hopefully the industry can come together and unite to help those most in need.