THE CULT's frontman Ian Astbury has voiced strong criticism of the Grammy Awards for their diminishing representation of rock music in recent years.
In a candid interview with São Paulo's 89 FM A Rádio Rock, Astbury expressed concern about the awards show's approach to rock music recognition, describing the Grammys as an "institution" attempting to "control the cultural narrative."
The singer, whose band THE CULT has never received a Grammy nomination, questioned the awards' legitimacy, suggesting that music fans and concert-goers should have more say than the approximately 15,000 industry experts who determine Grammy winners.
While acknowledging the Grammys' efforts to diversify, Astbury believes they are "making a big mistake" with their treatment of rock music. He emphasized that rock remains a vibrant, multi-generational genre, pointing to artists ranging from teenagers to veterans like The Rolling Stones who continue to contribute to the genre's rich legacy.
"There's this incredible tradition of diversity in rock music, and there's so many different aspects of rock music. And they do not acknowledge this," Astbury stated, highlighting the disconnect between the awards show and the genre's current state.
The criticism comes as rock categories have seen reduced prominence in recent Grammy telecasts, reflecting shifts in mainstream music consumption and viewing preferences.
For Astbury, recognition from fans who "work hard" and actively support music through concert attendance and purchases holds more value than institutional accolades, which he suggests often come with "some kind of dark contract."