• Taylor opened the show with a wild, red and white, Alice in Wonderland-themed performance of "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together," complete with pyro, Siamese twins and demonic bunny rabbits. A New York Times live blogger said show opener, "Taylor in Wonderland!" Another added, "It's like they asked her, 'Taylor, would you like your opening act to have…?' 'Yes!'"
  • Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley brought the Locked and Reloaded tour to the Grammys. Miranda started the set solo with "Over You" before Dierks joined her for "Home."
  • Three-time Grammy nominee Hunter Hayes sang "Wanted" and introduced Blown Away tourmate Carrie Underwood, who performed a two-song mashup of "Blown Away" and "Two Black Cadillacs." Carrie wore a floor-length ball gown with video elements projected across the skirt.
  • Zac Brown was part of one of the last performances of the show, joining an all-star tribute to the late Levon Helm. Zac swapped vocals on "The Weight" with Mavis Staples and Alabama Shakes' Brittany Howard. Mumford and Sons, Elton John and T-Bone Burnett were also part of the tribute, which was also dedicated to the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings.