March 04, 2018
Miguel, Common, Mary J. Blige, Sufjan Stevens and Eddie Vedder were among the musicians performing on stage Sunday night at the 90th Academy Awards.
Mary J. Blige
"Mighty River"
Mary J. Blige is the only person ever to be nominated for an Oscar for both her acting and music in the same year. During Sunday’s ceremony, the singer, joined by a large choir, performed Mudbound’s “Mighty River” as the first musical act of the night.
“This song acknowledges the struggle and pain of life while urging for our differences to be washed away,” Taraji P. Henson said in announcing Blige’s emotional performance.
Miguel, Natalia Lafourcade and Gael Garcia Bernal
"Remember Me"
Miguel, Natalia Lafourcade and Gael Garcia Bernal performed “Remember Me” at the 90th annual Academy Awards on Sunday evening.
They were introduced to the stage by Eugenio Derbez. Bernal started off with an acoustic intro. Then, Miguel and Lafourcade sang the theme song of Coco, while Latin dancers danced in the background. Coco is a Pixar-animated film based on the Mexican holiday of the Day of the Dead and celebrates Mexican culture.
Sufjan Stevens
“Mystery of Love”
Sufjan Stevens performed “Mystery of Love” at the 90th annual Academy Awards on Sunday night.
Stevens was introduced to the stage by Daniela Vega. He played the song on a guitar, with a crew of four. The song from the Oscar-nominated film Call Me by Your Name explores the emotions of first love the film's protagonist, Elio, experiences.
Andra Day and Common
“Stand Up for Something”
Joined onstage by 10 activists, Andra Day and Common performed “Stand Up for Something” from the original soundtrack of Marshall. The song was dedicated to sending “all the sentiments of love to the people of Africa, Haiti and Puerto Rico,” as Common rapped in a short prelude.
At the end of the performance, Common asked the audience to literally join the song’s message by “standing up for what you believe in,” prompting a standing ovation as one of the activists on stage unraveled a Puerto Rican flag.
Keala Settle
"This Is Me"
With a theatrical, empowering performance, Keala Settle got Guillermo del Toro up on his feet and Viola Davis dancing her heart out when she sang “This is Me” at the 90th Academy Awards.
Dressed in a gown that could have been a costume in The Greatest Showman, Settle was joined on stage by a band and a choir that consisted of a diverse group singers dancing side by side.
Eddie Vedder
“Room at the Top”
Eddie Vedder gave a special performance of the late Tom Petty’s “Room at the Top” during the Academy Awards’ “In Memoriam” tribute on Sunday night.
Vedder, the lead vocalist and guitarist of rock band Pearl Jam was introduced to the stage by Jennifer Garner. Vedder strummed his guitar and sang the song, while photos of late entertainment industry veterans — including Don Rickles, Chuck Berry, Jerry Greenberg and Miriam Colon — played on the screen.