The Primary Wave 20th Anniversary Pre-Grammy Party: Presented by Venu took place Saturday, January 20th 2026 at the Waldorf Astoria in Beverly Hills, California. The event was filled with legendary rockers and iconic moments as Primary Wave celebrated the 68th Annual Grammy Awards.
“Primary Wave Music marked its 20th anniversary with a bash at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills. Headlined by John Mellencamp, the party featured sets from Joe Elliott and Phil Collen of Def Leppard , Trombone Shorty, Grandmaster Flash, and CeeLo Green, ensuring a high-energy lead-in to music’s biggest night.”
– Deadline
PRIMARY PERFORMANCES
Leo Sayer kicked off the legends-filled night with a performance of “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing” sung through the crowd, followed by Trombone Shorty and New Breed Brass Band playing through the crowd as well.
Stage performances opened with Pete Townshend, followed by Joe Elliott and Phil Collen from Def Leppard, John Mellencamp, and CeeLo Green – all playing some of their biggest hits.
The music continued on the roof, where Grandmaster Flash played a DJ set through the night.
“The star-studded evening brought together music’s most iconic artists and industry leaders ahead of music’s biggest night, featuring special appearances from Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Pete Townshend and Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott and Phil Collen, along with exclusive live performances by John Mellencamp, Trombone Shorty, CeeLo Green, Leo Sayer, Cisco Adler, and Grandmaster Flash.”
“The guest list reflected the broad cultural impact of the evening, featuring attendees such as Christian Louboutin, Danny Elfman, Faith Evans, and Devo’s Mark Mothersbaugh. Hosted in partnership with VENU, the event highlighted a milestone 20th anniversary for the hosting music publisher and their expansive catalog of chart-topping hits.
Combining heritage acts with contemporary energy, the gala solidified itself as a premier destination for celebrating the artists who have shaped the global musical landscape.”
See more photos on Loudwire and The Hollywood Reporter.
Photos By Sarah Nekich.