The main stage of the 68th Grammy Awards / Getty Image

Lighting design for this year’s Grammy Awards was led by Lighting Designer Noah Mitz of Full Flood Inc., with PRG supporting the production through a broadcast-ready lighting system built to meet the scale and complexity of the show. PRG invested in new Vari*Lite inventory, including VL2600 Profiles, VL3600 LTs, VLHive 151s and VL1600s, ensuring the rig could accommodate rapid transitions, varied performance styles, and the visual precision required for a global broadcast.

“When it comes to the Grammys, we are always keeping an eye towards flexibility, quality, and reliability of the rig,” says Mitz. “There are times that we don’t know all the artists or what the performances will be when we start loading in, so having a lot of options built into the plot is critical to handle the unknown. The Grammys also come with the challenge of quick rehearsals and rapid changeovers in a live TV environment, so reliability and durability of the equipment are critical for us to pull off a flawless show.”

The ceremony opened with a high-energy performance from Rosé and Bruno Mars, setting the tone for a night defined by creative range and stylistic contrast. Throughout the broadcast, the lighting design shifted seamlessly between cinematic storytelling and pared-down intimacy, supporting performances that ranged from large-scale choreography to minimalist solo moments.
One of the night’s most elaborate sequences unfolded during the Best New Artist medley, which opened with Addison Rae arriving on a box truck and performing amid stacks of road cases before the action transitioned onstage. To support the backstage portion of the segment, the lighting design employed a mix of compact fixtures and practical sources to create depth and texture within the industrial environment. The setup included Ayrton Diablos, Solaris Flares and Flare JR fixtures, ON AIR Panel 2 units, SGM P1s, Elation KL PARs, FL Fresnel 8″ fixtures, GLP impression X5 Compacts, along with Astera NYX lamps and Titan Tubes for practical-style accents.

The medley brought together all eight Best New Artist nominees, including Katseye, Leon Thomas, Alex Warren, Lola Young—making her return following a health-related hiatus—Olivia Dean, and Sombr. The Marías performed ahead of host Trevor Noah’s introduction of the segment, which culminated in Dean receiving the Best New Artist award later in the evening.

Additional standout performances highlighted the lighting system’s range and its ability to adapt to vastly different creative approaches. Sabrina Carpenter delivered a cinematic performance of “Manchild,” portraying a pilot moving through an airport environment. Supplemental fixtures were integrated directly into the scenic elements to support the narrative flow of the piece, including VLHive 151 fixtures—part of PRG’s recent inventory investment—and Sceptron XB 1m units with graze lenses, which provided controlled accents and practical-style illumination throughout the space.

By contrast, Justin Bieber returned to the Grammys with a stripped-down performance of “Yukon,” relying on minimal staging and a guitar looper to place the focus squarely on the song itself—demonstrating the lighting design’s ability to support both cinematic spectacle and intimate restraint.

The ceremony made space for reflection, with especially touching tributes honoring the music of Ozzy Osbourne, D'Angelo and Roberta Flack. During the In Memoriam segment, Lauryn Hill was joined by Lucky Daye, Jon Batiste, Chaka Khan, John Legend, Leon Thomas, Raphael Saadiq, and Wyclef Jean, bringing together multiple generations to honor enduring musical legacies.

Beyond the live performances, the evening also celebrated achievements across the broader music and theater landscape. Buena Vista Social Club took home the award for Best Musical Theater Album, marking a milestone for the production, which PRG has supported since its early off-Broadway run. The win highlighted the continued crossover between live performance, theatrical storytelling, and the evolving scope of the Grammys’ musical recognition.

The ceremony concluded with a historic and emotional moment as Bad Bunny won Record of the Year, marking the first time a Spanish-language album received the award. The win underscored the global reach and genre-spanning impact reflected throughout the night, closing the show on a note that celebrated both creative achievement and cultural influence.

Crew List

Lighting Designer: Noah Mitz
Lighting Director: Madigan Stehly
Lighting Director: Will Gossett
Lighting Director: Hannah Kerman
Lighting Director / Programmer: Andy O’Reilly
Lighting Director / Programmer: Patrick Boozer
Lighting Director / Programmer: Ryan Tanker
Lighting Director / Programmer: Erin Anderson
Gaffer: Matt Benson
Lighting Assistant: James Gallo
Lighting Assistant: Owen Scott
Lighting Assistant: Morgan Harrington
Chief Technician: Jason Trowbridge
Chief Technician: Darran Barrows
Lead Technician: Geoff Smith
Lead Technician: Justin Colbert
Lead Technician: Danny Villa
PRG Account Executive: Tony Ward
PRG Project Manager: Travis Snyder