Following what will undoubtedly be the template going forward as awards season picks up speed, the American Music Awards tried to balance acknowledgement of current events both tragic and outrageous on Sunday night in Los Angeles with celebratory moments meant to temporarily make us forget our troubles.
As all those executive producers will soon find out, it can be a tricky juggling act with a few awkward moments leavened with a few truly earnest and endearing. Actor Jamie Foxx opened the ABC telecast with a mission statement for the night: “This year more than perhaps any other in recent history we needed the power of music to escape the news of the day. We needed that power of music to help us heal. From hurricanes, wildfires, hate, hatred-fueled violence, 2017 was a year that tested our faith.”
He then introduced a handful of first responders and kicked it to two of pop music’s fiercest figures, P!nk and Kelly Clarkson, who sang R.E.M.’s “Everybody Hurts” as pictures of this year’s many tragedies flashed across giant screens above the stage.
And with her mother, Diana Ross, set to receive an AMA Lifetime Achievement Award later in the evening, host Tracee Ellis Ross acknowledged the many women who’ve alleged sexual harassment or worse over the last year during her opening monologue.
“This year in music has been a reflection of this year in our country,” she said. “A year where brave women have started a movement as we own our experiences, our bodies and our lives.”
She then introduced Demi Lovato, who opened her empowerment song “Sorry Not Sorry” with the message, “There’s so much hate in this world, we have to rise above and never say sorry for who you are,” as mean tweets like “piece of trash” and “you’re ugly” once aimed at the singer flashed across video screens.
A few moments later Imagine Dragons brought in the LGBTQ community in its acceptance speech after winning favorite pop/rock duo-group. And Portugal. The Man repped the analog set with their video board message, “No computers up here, just live instruments,” during a performance of “Feel It Still.”
A few performances transcended the messages. Pink performed a visually transfixing aerial ballet several stories up on the face of a hotel while singing “Beautiful Trauma,” topping her own high-flying antics from previous awards shows and tours. And Lady Gaga appeared live from her tour stop via video uplink, performing “The Cure” and accepting the award for favorite female pop/rock artist.
“Just remember if you feel different or if you feel not understood, don’t you dare give up on who you are,” she said. “You fight like hell for what you believe in.”
Though the night’s messages and performances were often aimed at women, Lady Gaga’s was one of the few female acceptances on the televised awards. Most of those trophies – winners are determined by fans and not all were announced on air – went mostly to the men. Lead nominee Bruno Mars won artist of the year, Niall Horan was new artist of the year and Keith Urban took a telecast-high three trophies for favorite male artist in the country format, favorite country song and favorite country album.
Presenters gave two of the three trophies to Urban’s wife, actress Nicole Kidman, to hold in the front row while her husband gave his acceptance speech.
“Absolutely, you should be sharing these, my love,” Urban said.
In another emotional moment that also appeared to be unscripted, three members of Linkin Park accepted favorite alternative rock artist just months after the death of member Chester Bennington. Presenter Mark Cuban told the crowd the band was unable to attend as they walked down the aisle toward the stage, telling the crowd their appearance was a surprise.
“We dedicate this to him, to his memory, to his talent, to his sense of humor, to his talent,” Mike Shinoda said. “And remember, all of you guys tonight, whether you’re a fan or an artist, I want you to take a moment to appreciate what you’ve got and make Chester proud.”
