The Resonator Awards returned for their second annual ceremony last night at Charlie Chaplin Studios. Presented by We Are Moving the Needle — the nonprofit working to reshape the music industry through increased representation of women and non-binary individuals — the evening unfolded less like a formal awards show than an elevated cocktail party.
Honorees Chappell Roan, Chaka Khan, St. Vincent, and Haim mingled with presenters Nancy Wilson, Joni Mitchell, Olivia Rodrigo, and Rostam, while the unseasonably warm evening drew a wide cross-section of the music community into Chaplin’s outdoor space. Among those spotted were Dave Grohl and Jordyn Blum, Beck, Linda Perry, Devo’s Mark Mothersbaugh, Paula Abdul, John Mayer, CHVRCHES’ Lauren Mayberry, Laufey, producer/songwriter Suzy Shinn, and the evening’s host Fred Armisen with wife Riki Lindhome.
Last year’s Resonator Awards were postponed due to the Los Angeles fires, prompting the launch of the organization’s Wildfire Relief Fund, which made this year’s gathering feel doubly welcome. Part of the event’s appeal, A&R professional Dave Godowsky noted, lies in the nonprofit at its center. “It’s about something other than yourself,” he said. “Everybody is here for what they contribute.”
That spirit carried into the awards portion of the evening, a point Emily Lazar, founder of We Are Moving the Needle and CEO and chief mastering engineer at The Lodge, underscored in her opening remarks. “This past year has been heavy for so many in our community—from the devastating wildfires that destroyed homes, studios, and lifetimes of work to the civil unrest, uncertainty, and upheaval so many of us have been carrying,” she said. “So being together now like this matters. It reminds us that even when things feel unstable, the creative community still shows up for one another.”
Lazar highlighted a persistent inequity in the music industry: this year’s Grammy Award for Producer of the Year had no women nominees, and only nine women have ever been nominated in the category. Gesturing to the room as evidence of overlooked talent, she said, “Talent is everywhere. It’s about access—who gets trusted, who gets invited into the biggest rooms, and who keeps getting left just outside the door.”
The balance of sincerity and levity continued throughout the night. Lazar presented the Breakthrough Award to producer Roselilah, whose acceptance speech mixed pragmatism with humor. “Sometimes the best thing you can do is ignore expectations and keep going anyway,” she said. “The path wasn’t traditional in our culture for women … I had to promise that making beats was indeed a real job.”
The tone shifted to earnest appreciation with Jason Isbell praising Powerhouse Award recipient Gena Johnson, who emphasized collaboration as both ethos and practice. “I strive for collaboration on every level,” she said. “Together, we are more powerful, more profound, and create a more fun and interesting world of music and art.” That spirit carried through other presentations, including Addison Rae’s enthusiastic introduction of longtime collaborators Luka Kloser and Elvira Anderfjärd for the In Stereo Award, and Anderson .Paak’s smooth, unhurried presentation of Alissia with the All-Star Award.
One of the night’s most personal moments came when Laufey presented Amy Allen — last year’s Songwriter of the Year (Non-Classical) Grammy winner, and this year’s nominee — with the Calliope Award. Pointing to Mitchell in the audience, Allen said Mitchell had inspired her to start songwriting and playing guitar at age eight. “Thank you for being here and paving the way,” she said. “I am grateful for all of the women who have done that before me, everyone doing it now, and everybody who will be doing it in the years to come.”
Midway through the evening, a high-energy video montage celebrating Tina Turner, Olivia Newton-John, Pink, Janet Jackson, and Cher paid tribute to manager Roger Davies. Cher appeared via taped message to present Davies with the Transformer Award, followed by the first of two Exceptional Ears Awards, presented by Aaron Dessner to Bella Blasko, before the program shifted into the auction portion of the night.
The auction leaned indulgent: lavish group vacations to Greece, Mexico, and Italy, a Friedrich Kunath Art & Experience that included a private performance from The Bird and the Bee, and a Gibson guitar signed by the night’s talent. Urged by a fast-talking auctioneer and his familiar cadence, paddles shot up as bids climbed into the four- and five-figure range. Proceeds support We Are Moving the Needle’s scholarship and grant programs, which to date have awarded more than $875,000 to women, trans, and non-binary creators pursuing audio education and advancing their music careers.
Lighter moments returned with flair. Doechii brought humor to the presentation of the second Exceptional Ears Award to Jayda Love, while Rostam infused the Disruptors Award presentation to Haim with the same sensitivity he channels in his music. When Olivia Rodrigo handed St. Vincent the Golden Trifecta Award, they shared a playful stage moment with Rodrigo wearing her fangirl status on her sleeve. They two were so effortless in their banter that they could have doubled as a comedy duo.
The night felt like it was building toward a peak when Heart’s Nancy Wilson took the stage to present Chappell Roan with the Harmonizer Award. She highlighted Roan’s fundraising for trans youth, her advocacy in the LGBTQ+ community, and her work supporting backline and mental health for music workers, as well as her generosity in providing free tickets to vulnerable communities.
Reflecting on performing Heart’s classic “Barracuda” with Roan, Wilson said, “I got to see the fans firsthand when I came out and played ‘Barracuda’ with these guys. And it was Chappellmania. It was the biggest love energy I’d seen in many, many years out on a rock stage—an absolute, unifying, and healing force that our sad, sad world needs more than ever right now. And so, Chappell, this beautiful imprint you are making moves the needle and will always continue to resonate forward to impact the culture for all times.”
Roan, a two-time Grammy nominee this year, gave a spontaneous and heartfelt speech. “I feel very uncomfortable being told that I’m a good person,” she said., “I only know what to do because I see other people in my life doing good things, and by listening to trans people who need representation and money for healthcare and rent. I kind of think that it’s just an artist’s—and anybody who has money’s—duty to give it away.
After thanking the awards for the recognition, Roan added, “I don’t really know what’s gonna happen to women, or gay people, or people of color, or really anyone. But I think the only thing that matters is community and kindness, and giving what you have.”
Perhaps the night’s biggest highlight was the undeniable synergy between Mitchell and Khan. Mitchell recounted a cheeky anecdote about “dining and dashing” with Khan — though they later went back and paid the bill. “Every time we meet, something spectacular happens,” she said, before presenting Khan with the Luminary Award.
Khan returned the admiration, calling Mitchell one of her biggest inspirations. “When it comes to writing and … trying to know your words, how to use your words, how powerful they are — she is the absolute tops of that for me. In fact, she sent me to the dictionary several times,” Khan said, eliciting laughter from the audience.
Receiving the award, Khan reflected on longevity and openness. “Longevity isn’t about staying the same. It’s about staying open … open to collaboration, open to new voices, open to change, and open to the people behind the scenes whose creativity helps shape everything you hear … When women and all creators are supported, we rise together. To the honorees tonight, you are the future. To the leaders here, keep opening those doors. And to the next generation, your voices matter.”
The evening soared into a star-studded musical tribute to Khan, supported by Roan’s excellent band, who served as the house band for the night. It began with a supergroup — Sia, Greg Kurstin, Daniella Haim, and Thundercat — performing “Tell Me Something Good.” Maggie Rogers and Grace Bowers followed with a gripping, high-energy rendition of “Ain’t Nobody,” leading into an unexpected finale as Lalah Hathaway was joined by Khan for a moving performance of “Through the Fire.”
The spirit of the Resonator Awards was perhaps best captured by Tony Berg who, reflecting on traditional award shows, said, “It always struck me as peculiar, because they tend to reduce the creation of art and the competition they’re in as a form of blood sport.” He continued, “But what Emily has created, on the other hand, is something that is purely predicated on merit and contribution, and I think what she’s done is a fantastic thing.”