All Eight Grammy Best New Artist Nominees to Perform in Special Segment During Show

The 68th Grammy Awards, set for February 1, 2026, will feature a groundbreaking moment: a collaborative performance by all eight nominees for Best New Artist. This first-of-its-kind segment will bring together Olivia Dean, the global pop ensemble Katseye, indie-pop group The Marías, social media star-turned-musician Addison Rae, genre-blending artist Sombr, six-time nominee Leon Thomas, singer Alex Warren, and British vocalist Lola Young. While the exact format of the multi-artist set remains under wraps, such productions typically involve complex medleys, posing a significant logistical feat. This innovative choice by producers is widely interpreted as a deliberate strategy to celebrate the eclectic mix of sounds and emerging voices shaping today's music industry.

Adding to the night's star power, Sabrina Carpenter—fresh from being named Variety's 2025 Hitmaker of the Year—has been confirmed as a performer. The strength of this year's Best New Artist class is underscored by its members' recognition in other major categories. Leon Thomas, for instance, is a frontrunner for Album of the Year with his critically lauded project "Mutt," bringing his total nominations to six. Katseye, a multinational girl group formed through a Hybe & Geffen Records audition series, earned a nod for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, while Lola Young is competing for Best Pop Solo Performance.

In the broader nomination field, Kendrick Lamar leads with nine, followed closely by Lady Gaga and producers Jack Antonoff and Cirkut, each with seven. The 2026 ceremony also marks the end of an era for its broadcast home. Airing live on CBS and hosted once more by the acclaimed comedian Trevor Noah, this will conclude the network's 53-year tenure broadcasting the awards, a partnership that began in 1973. A new 10-year deal with Disney, struck in 2024, will take effect in 2027. Viewers can tune in via CBS or stream the event live and on-demand on Paramount+.

Prior to the main show, the Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony will distribute the majority of the awards in over 90 categories. It will be broadcast live from Los Angeles's Peacock Theater and streamed on the Recording Academy's website. The primary telecast is produced by Fulwell 73, the production company behind hits like "Carpool Karaoke," with executive producers Ben Winston, Raj Kapoor, Jesse Collins, and host Trevor Noah steering the production. Industry analysts suggest the all-nominee performance is a calculated move to boost ratings among younger demographics, a chronic challenge for awards shows. As music critic Clara Mendez noted, "This transforms a procedural announcement into a must-see event, effectively offering a live, curated exhibit of pop's immediate future." The initiative reflects a broader trend of awards shows experimenting with format to maintain cultural relevance in a fragmented media landscape.