The 2026 Grammys had a little bit of everything, but the most interesting moments happened away from the predictable pop hits. In rock, metal, and alternative, there was real movement, with artists who’ve been around a long time standing alongside those shaking up the scene.
Turnstile really stood out, winning Best Rock Album for Never Enough and Best Metal Performance for “Birds.” They also got nominations across rock, metal, and alternative in the same year, which had never happened before. They went up against big names like Deftones, Linkin Park, HAIM, and Yungblud. They’re not new, but 2026 made it clear nobody can ignore them anymore.
Yungblud left the night stronger too, winning Best Rock Performance for “Changes,” recorded at Ozzy Osbourne’s final UK show. He accepted the award with Sharon Osbourne and turned it into a tribute to Ozzy’s influence rather than a personal win.
In alternative music, The Cure finally got the recognition they deserved. “Alone” won Best Alternative Music Performance and Songs of a Lost World took Best Alternative Album, marking their first Grammys in nearly 50 years. The band wasn’t at the ceremony because they were at the funeral of Perry Bamonte, a longtime member who had recently passed. Robert Smith sent a short, sober speech that was read by another artist, making the wins feel like historical justice instead of hype.
A standout moment came during the tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, led by Post Malone with Chad Smith, Slash, Andrew Watt, and Duff McKagan. The performance felt heartfelt and honest rather than flashy, and the Osbourne family was clearly moved.
Still, the night left a bittersweet feeling. Rock and alternative categories were presented off-air, showing how the Academy sidelines these genres compared to pop and urban music. The Cure’s wins highlighted prestige and legacy over trends, quietly and almost apologetically. The 2026 Grammys didn’t change the system, but they reminded everyone that rock and alternative are respected while still being pushed to the margins, and for some of us, that feels personal.
