Cam Stenberg, Graphics and Web Editor, Back Editor

If you told me to watch the Grammys, I would probably roll my eyes at you. What does it even mean to have the best song, or best album, or best anything when it comes to art? Art is subjective, and it feels strange to rank it. Regardless of my feelings on art, there are some moments from the ceremony I can’t get out of my head. . Most of these moments revolve around Boy Genius. The band is made up of 3 members, Julien Baker, Lucy Dacus, and Phoebe Bridgers. I could describe their music, and its genre but that’s not what intrigues me about them. 

I am not the biggest Boy Genius fan. I like their popular songs, but in no way would consider them to be one of my favorite artists. What I find so captivating is the way they carry themselves. Watching them run down the aisles of audience seats to claim the award for Best Rock Performance was too cute to be true. The members adorned matching white tuxedos and a love for each other. When they arrived at the stage they danced around and jumped into each other’s arms like excited kids. Their unfiltered excitement was really cool. The award was placed into the hands of Lucy Dacus, the first member to give a speech,which began with “Oh my god I want to throw up.” She goes on to express very earnestly the complete awe she feels in receiving the award.

Boy Genius won 3 awards throughout the ceremony, and I find Julien Baker’s acceptance speech to be my favorite. After accepting the award for Best Song, she took the mic. Julien Baker is tiny and appears very sweet and squirrly. Her speech sounds like a diary entry. “All I ever wanted to do in my life was be in a band,” she said. “I feel like music is the language I use to find my family.” These words barely left her mouth as Bridgers and Dacus, standing behind her, wrapped their arms around her, holding her together. 

What feels special about Boy Genius is that they are just so obviously best friends. They are best friends having fun. I love that the Grammy’s gave this very special dynamic the platform to be received by people the likes of me, who love friendship and joy and power regardless of how good their music might be. 

Another moment from that Grammy’s that I have stuck on a loop is Miley Cyrus’ performance. Miley Cyrus performed her song ‘flowers’ after winning a Grammy for best record of the year. Similar to Boy Genius, she is not an artist who I tend to listen to, but I couldn’t resist watching her performance. The energy in her performance was so palpable I couldn’t not smile while watching it. Her happiness is captivating. Between verses she jumps around the stage in what is clearly a celebration. She adlibs through the song in response to her song lyrics, having something of a conversation with herself. Towards the end of her performance in response to her lyric “Started to cry but then remember I…” she shouts into the mic, “Just won my first Grammy!” At this, the crowd erupted in applause as she danced around the stage.

Cyrus has very obviously been performing for her whole life as she exudes pure confidence and charisma on stage. 

Miley Cryus and Boy Genius do not feel like they exist in the same universe. They make different music, they have different audiences, and they bear little resemblance in appearance (especially with the little one), however, what I love about each of them is very similar. They appear very human, and unfiltered in a similar way. What I took away from the Grammys was not who won and why they won but admiration for the artists who are unashamed to celebrate.

Featured Image Credit: Rolling Stone