“It’s my bestie,” said Laufey as Alex Warren walked over to join her and sombr, with the three embracing in a group hug. The trio of Grammy nominees was gathered in a private room behind the red carpet at the Clive Davis Pre-Grammy Gala on Saturday night (Jan. 31) at Los Angeles’ Beverly Hilton Hotel.

Fellow attendees included Jelly Roll, John Legend, Olivia Dean and Art Garfunkel, the guest list entirely hand-picked by Davis. Throughout the evening, those same stars (along with MGK, Clipse, Darren Criss, the singing voices of HUNTR/X, Jennifer Hudson and Dan + Shay) delivered the night’s 10 performances.

Jelly and MGK opened the night with a tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, Criss and Laufey celebrated Bernie Taupin’s songwriting with a medley of Elton John hits, and Hudson honored the late Roberta Flack. Plus, best new artist nominees sombr, Alex Warren and Olivia Dean each performed their breakout hits: “12 to 12,” “Ordinary” and “Man I Need,” respectively.

“This night is so special,” Davis said to the room of industry heavyweights and iconic talent, such as Joni Mitchell, Max Martin, Taupin, Dave Grohl, Sharon and Jack Osbourne, Lana Del Rey and Karol G. “It’s special that we celebrate music [and] artistry.”

This year’s Pre-Grammy Gala celebrated Republic co-founders Monte and Avery Lipman, who received the 2026 Grammy Salute to Industry Icons honor. Their introduction included remarks from Universal Music Group CEO, Lucian Grainge, who said of the Lipman brothers: “Some people only see the outcome, not the journey. But take it from me, success on their level is not inevitable.”