We were thrilled to attend our first Grammy Awards and the city itself was in a frenzy. How could we decline invitations to pre- and post- show parties in Los Angeles -- that alone would be worth the 17hr trip from Dubai -- and to the Grammys itself?
It was sad to feel the gloom that took over Los Angeles the day before, as we were getting our last-minute shopping done near the Beverly Hilton hotel, footsteps away from where the devastating news of Whitney Houston's tragic end started to spread over the city in whispers, just as the rain started to pour. It certainly overshadowed the 54th Grammy ceremony hosted by LL Cool J, but there were enough performances to keep the celebrations going.
28,000 bracelets of different colours branded ‘Coldplay' were handed to each attendee and we were briefed by the Grammys' CEO to waive our hand as soon as the light came on during their performance - the result was an unbelievably colourful audience of a packed venue matching the huge LCDs behind Coldplay and Rihanna's performance. What a sight!
The moment we were all waiting for, Adele's first performance since her surgery, didn't fail to please the audience, who gave her their first standing ovation of the evening in return.
David Guetta was another much awaited artist who performed a free show outside the Staples Center featuring Lil Wayne and Deadmau5. The less appreciated act tonight was Nicki Minaj's unorthodox scenario - you didn't hear it on TV, but she got booed by the audience.
Who could have wrapped up more beautifully than Sir Paul McCartney, who both opened and closed the ceremony! We could not have hoped better than to start off the year with so many breathtaking performances and star-studded parties!
Although I spent most of the night tweeting live reports on @CSM_entertains's behalf, the Grammy Awards is an unforgettable evening - no, ‘evening' can't begin to describe the Grammy's. It was a real experience for any music lover and industry insider.
Mathilde Montel, Senior Communications Manager - accompanied by CSM's managing director Jackie Wartanian and Lara Teperdjian, Executive Vice-President - was lucky enough to be invited to Los Angeles' Staples Center for the annual ceremony
