Musical highlights to look forward to at the 59th Grammy Awards

FILE - In this Aug. 28, 2016 file photo, Beyonce Knowles arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards at Madison Square Garden, in New York. Beyonce announced on her Instagram account, Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017, that she is expecting twins. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)

In this Nov. 12, 2015 photo, DJ/Producer Ali Shaheed Muhammad, rapper Jarobi White, and Phife Dawg (Malik Isaac Taylor) of the hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest pose for a photo at SiriusXM studios in New York. A Tribe Called Quest celebrated the 25th anniversary of its debut album, "People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm," in November by re-releasing the album with remixes helmed by Pharrell, CeeLo Green and J. Cole. The group said more re-releases will be issues for its other albums. (Photo by Brian Ach/Invision/AP)

Alicia Keys performs during the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards in New York, U.S., August 28, 2016. REUTERS/

In this April 17, 2013 photo, Thomas Bangalter, left, and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, from the music group, Daft Punk, pose for a portrait in Los Angeles. The electronic duo's new studio album, "Random Access Memories" releases in the US on May 21, 2013. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)

As well as honouring excellence, the Grammy Awards is also known for show-stopping performances by an eclectic array of leading artists. Here are some of the musical highlights to look forward to during the evening.

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Honouring Prince

The performance side of the Grammys is sure to be emotional again this year. Last year’s ceremony featured a memorable tribute to the recently-departed David Bowie by Lady Gaga and Chic-legend Nile Rodgers. This time we can expect a substantial Prince medley, probably featuring Bruno Mars (even though he’s more of a Michael Jackson guy, really).

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Beyoncé

A relatively late addition to the bill, Beyoncé might well show some Prince love, too, as she performed with him back at the 2004 event. And, yes, she is pregnant with twins, but expecting a baby has not stopped Grammy performers in the past. In 2009, for example, M.I.A. took to the stage on her due date.

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A Tribe Called Quest

Last year was intense for legendary hip-hoppers A Tribe Called Quest, who released an acclaimed, Grammy-nominated comeback album, We Got It from Here, but also lost founder member Phife Dawg. The void was set to be filled at the Grammys by emerging rapper Anderson .Paak and Foo Fighters' frontman Dave Grohl, but Grohl pulled out saying that he had been announced prematurely. Watch this space.

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Alicia Keys and Maren Morris

Rap/R&B and country music figure heavily this year, and those worlds collide in one of the ceremony’s highest-profile hookups, as Alicia Keys (pictured) duets with country starlet Maren Morris. The hefty posse of country acts lined up – Keith Urban, Sturgill Simpson, Carrie Underwood, and the band Little Big Town – suggests a cowboy hat-sporting supergroup, who will probably pay tribute to Merle Haggard who died in April.

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Daft Punk and The Weeknd

The most eagerly-awaited performance? Adele, Metallica and John Legend also feature, but the real showstopper is likely to be robot-masked techno wizards Daft Punk teaming up with R&B rebel The Weeknd, in the latest of their fine run of recent collaborations. Given the French duo's insistence on striking visuals, expect the Staples Center to transform into something resembling their cameo in Tron: Legacy.