The Grammy telecast is known for one-of-a-kind collaborations. Sometimes they’re inspired, sometimes they’re head-scratchers, but Daft Punk fans now have a lot to look forward to from the band’s 2014 Grammy set.
The French electronica duo of Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter previously announced that they would perform on the Jan. 26 telecast, their first live set since the release last year of their album “Random Access Memories,” and the first live television performance since 2008. Now comes news that for their Grammy performance, they’re bringing along an impressive slate of guest artists, many of whom appeared on “Random Access Memories.”
Those familiar with Daft Punk’s inescapable single “Get Lucky” will recognize that song’s vocalist, Pharrell Williams, and Chic guitarist Nile Rodgers onstage at the Grammys, as well as session pros Nathan East, Chris Caswell, Omar Hakim and Paul Jackson Jr., who performed on “Random Access Memories.”
The big surprise? A guest appearance from R&B legend Stevie Wonder. “Random Access Memories” is heavily indebted to the virtuosic funk, soul and experimental sounds of the ’70s that Wonder helped pioneer, and this era-spanning performance will now likely be the night’s most anticipated live set.
Daft Punk is nominated for four Grammys, with “Random Access Memories” up for album of the year and dance/electronica album, with record of the year and pop duo/group performance nods for the single “Get Lucky.” The engineering team behind “Random Access Memories” is up for a separate Grammy in engineered album, non-classical.
Ken Ehrlich, executive producer of the Grammys, told The Independent that “(d)etails of the performance are still being worked out.” But he did broadly suggest that their collaboration will “be a collaborative and celebratory stage performance that honours their multi-nominated music.”
Other acts confirmed for the telecast include Compton rapper Kendrick Lamar, Pink and the electro-rock group Imagine Dragons.
