LOS ANGELES • Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, BTS, Harry Styles, Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion will be among the performers at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, in a mix of live and taped appearances shot in downtown Los Angeles, the Recording Academy announced.

K-pop sensation BTS, who are nominated for Best Pop Duo/ Group Performance, will become the first South Korean nominee to perform at the awards.

The show, hosted by Trevor Noah, will also feature performances by Bad Bunny, Doja Cat, Maren Morris, Roddy Ricch, Post Malone, Lil Baby and DaBaby, in a format the academy is describing, with a nod towards coronavirus safety, as artistes "coming together, while still safely apart".

One notable absence among this year's performers is Adele, whose potential appearance has been the subject of fervent speculation by fans online.

Mr Ben Winston, the Grammys' executive producer, said Adele would not be involved.

This year's Grammys had been planned for Jan 31, but was postponed in early January as coronavirus cases in Los Angeles County were peaking.

Those numbers have since greatly declined, although the area is still considered to have a "very high risk" level for infection.

The show will be the latest test of the viability of a major awards show during the pandemic.

The Golden Globes, on Feb 28, had disastrous ratings, drawing 62 per cent fewer viewers than last year.

To draw an audience, the Grammys is counting on the star power of its performers and the possibility of a fresh look.

This year's show is the first under the purview of Mr Winston, who takes over after a four-decade run by Mr Ken Ehrlich, the producer who established "Grammy moments" - artiste pairings across generations and genres - and who sometimes clashed with stars.

Beyonce received nine nominations in eight categories, more than any other artiste. Swift and Lipa are each up for six prizes.

NYTIMES