Music World Gathers for Grammy Awards

Feb. 27 -- The luck of the Irish may be omnipresent in Los Angeles. U2, with a leading eight nominations, seems like the band to beat at tonight's Grammy Awards.

Bono and company spent much of the year on tour, re-establishing the band's immense worldwide popularity and promoting All That You Can't Leave Behind, a heavy favorite for album of the year.

But nothing is ever certain with the Grammys, and several newcomers are poised to become big winners. India.Arie and Alicia Keys, battling for best new artist, were the second and third most nominated artists.

The only thing that can be guaranteed is performances from the likes of Bob Dylan, Mary J. Blige, Dave Matthews Band, U2 and Train.

Comedian Jon Stewart hosts the event, and the star-studded list of presenters includes Britney Spears, Gloria Estefan, Janet Jackson, Kid Rock, the Dixie Chicks and the Backstreet Boys. The stars gather at the Staples Center in Los Angeles at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. The show will be broadcast live on CBS.

Are the Grammys Really Grannies?

U2's "Walk On" is a strong contender for winning record of the year honors for the second year in a row. The band will perform the song with gospel great Kirk Franklin.

In wake of the Sept. 11 attacks, the Irish rockers' social and political consciousness might set the right tone for the time.

"Fate really took hold of our album and really changed those songs," Bono said.

But there might be pressure to shine the spotlight on another artist. The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, which organizes the event, has taken a lot of heat for repeatedly honoring the same aging group of aging rockers.

Last year, the semi-retired Steely Dan won for album of the year over such younger artists as Eminem and Radiohead, causing critics to quip that the Grammys should be renamed "the Grannies."

Furtado: ‘I Have to Look for a Good Outfit’

But U2 does face some fierce competition for best record from two young newcomers — Arie, 26, and Keys, just 21.