Live from Los Angeles’s Crypto.com Arena, the 65th GRAMMY Awards featured tributes, a fair share of surprise twists and performances with support from Shure wireless audio technology. For another year, the GRAMMYs production teams and iconic musicians and celebrities relied on Shure Axient Digital wireless microphones, including Trevor Noah, Lizzo, Mary J. Blige, etc. Nearly every performance of the night implemented Shure PSM 1000 in-ear monitoring systems, totaling 28 channels with 160 Shure P10R bodypacks. Overall, the show relied on 59 channels of Shure wireless technology.
A team of veteran audio engineers and sound technicians helmed the entire broadcast. This included audio producer, Michael Abbott; production mixer, Tom Holmes and music mixers, John Harris and Eric Schilling. Front of house was also overseen by production mixer, Jeff Peterson and FOH music engineers, Ron Reaves and Mike Parker. Monitor engineers included Tom Pesa and Andres Arango. “Shure’s PSM 1000 was a staple of this year’s GRAMMY Awards. We relied on more channels of PSM than any other year before,” says Arango.
“Having just completed the 65th annual GRAMMY Awards, I always rely on Shure microphones in creating the sound for the broadcast music mix,” shares Schilling. “Shure mics are used in several areas of our music performances, including featured performers. This year, I [could] use the Shure KSM11 head on Mary J. Blige and Lizzo with great results.”
Smokey Robinson performs onstage during the 65th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, Calif. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
A Night to Celebrate
Music’s biggest night featured a performance of the classic Motown song, “Higher Ground,” from legend Stevie Wonder, joined by Chris Stapleton. A Shure KSM11 cardioid condenser vocal microphone paired with a Shure Axient Digital wireless transmitter captured Wonder’s vocal performance. The KSM11, released in 2022, has revolutionized the production of live vocal performance, says Shure. Smokey Robinson, one of MusiCares’ most recent Persons Of The Year, also used the KSM11. He joined Stevie for a rendition of his song, “Tears Of A Clown.”
Before receiving her monumental award recognition for Record of the Year, Lizzo took to the GRAMMY stage with a gospel choir and a Shure KSM11. Lizzo empowered audiences around the world with her hit, “Special.” Lizzo’s monitor engineer, Rico Gonzalez, diligently oversaw the GRAMMY performance, using Shure Axient Digital. “The KSM11 is a new standard. The clarity helps Lizzo’s vocals stay in front of the mix with little effort,” says Gonzales.
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Delivering Flawless Performances
Mary J. Blige performs onstage during the 65th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, Calif. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy).
The GRAMMY Awards continued with an iconic performance from Mary J. Blige. She gave the audience a stunning vocal presentation of “Good Morning Gorgeous.” The singer touted a custom gold KSM11 capsule and Axient Digital transmitter that matched her outfit. According to Shure, it also brought her stellar voice to audiences tuning in from around the world.
Honoring the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop, a multitude of storied artists paid tribute to their history with renditions of classic tracks. As part of the celebration, LL Cool J performed a segment of “I Can’t Live Without My Radio” on a custom gold Shure transmitter. Later, Busta Rhymes traded verses of “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See” and “Look At Me Now” on the legendary SM58 wireless microphone.
Taking to the GRAMMY stage for the first time, country artist Luke Combs also used Shure, for his recent hit, “Going, Going, Gone.” Combs’s vocals shined on a classic SM58 capsule / AD transmitter combination, Shure adds.
Seamless Distribution
Shure Axient Digital wireless technology, supplied by ATK Audiotek and Soundtronics, thus enabled each of the performances. Additionally, ATK Audiotek provided the sound system design and implementation for the entire show.
As always, frequency coordination played a crucial role in managing the staggering amount of wireless used throughout the show. Steve Vaughn, Soundtronic’s RF Coordinator, managed this task with the support of Axient Digital. He also used Wireless Workbench for monitoring. “Whether the GRAMMYs are hosted in Vegas or LA, I can trust Shure digital wireless to provide reliable support in the world’s most challenging RF environments,” remarks Vaughn. “Wireless Workbench gives me the control and flexibility these large-scale events demand.”
Shure artist and entertainment relations specialist, Jenn Liang-Chaboud, also shares, “As always, we’re proud to have Shure gear play such an important role in this event. Hats off to the team of engineers, technicians and musicians who make the GRAMMY Awards shine each year.”
