Universal Music Cancels Grammy Week Events Due to L.A. Fires

Universal Music Group has canceled all of its Grammy-related events, including the Saturday artist showcase and the Sunday after-Grammy party, and will use the money instead for Los Angeles wildfire relief.

“Today we have cancelled all of our Grammy-related events, including the Artist Showcase and After-Grammy Party and will redirect the resources that would have been used for those events to assist those affected by the wildfires,” a statement from the company reads. “Our deepest gratitude goes to the first responders and emergency personnel, who continue to perform heroically.

“L.A. is home to so many of us,” it continues. “We are committed to helping and supporting the music community, our artists, our teams and the people of Los Angeles get through this horrific episode.”

The wildfires that have been destroying multiple neighborhoods in the greater Los Angeles area for the last five days, impacting communities including Altadena, Sylmar, Granada Hills, Studio City and Runyon Canyon. Earlier this week, there were discussions among the industry on whether or not the Recording Academy would push back the Grammys, slated for Feb. 2.

On Monday morning, the Recording Academy and MusiCares CEO Harvey Mason Jr. and Tammy Hurt, the chair of the academy’s board of trustees, confirmed the Grammy Awards telecast will proceed on Feb. 2 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,” the statement read.