While metal and hard rock have traditionally existed on the fringes of Grammy week — more often acknowledged in pre-show awards than onstage — the 2026 GRAMMY Awards are set to flip that script. This year's Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony will feature an actual live performance from a heavy artist, with alternative metal band Spiritbox confirmed for the bill.
Spiritbox are scheduled to perform at the Premiere Ceremony, which will begin airing on February 1, streaming live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, CA. The Canadian outfit are currently celebrating their third Grammy nomination, with their track "Soft Spine" up for Best Metal Performance. The full list of nominees includes:
- Dream Theater – "Night Terror"
- Ghost – "Lachryma"
- Sleep Token – "Emergence"
- Turnstile – "Birds"
The Recording Academy officially announced the performers, presenters and host of the 2026 Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony, which takes place ahead of the main Grammys telecast.
Alongside Spiritbox, performers for the ceremony include current nominees Darren Criss and Helen J Shen, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, and Zara Larsson, as well as an opening ensemble performance featuring Grace Potter, Israel Houghton, Lila Iké, Maggie Rose, and Trombone Shorty.
First-time Grammy nominee Darren Criss will serve as host of the 2026 Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony, adding a Broadway-meets-pop crossover energy to the event.
Presenters for the ceremony include Dave Koz, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Edgar Barrera, Jesse Welles, Sierra Hull, Trombone Shorty, and Jimmy Jam — the five-time Grammy winner, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, and former Recording Academy Board of Trustees Chair.
Opening remarks will be delivered by Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. and Chair of the Board of Trustees Dr. Chelsey Green, officially kicking off what the Academy calls "Music's Biggest Day."
The 2026 Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony will stream live from the Peacock Theater on Sunday, February 1 via the Recording Academy's YouTube channel and live.GRAMMY.com, making Spiritbox's performance widely accessible to fans around the world.
