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Grammys 2014: How Taylor Swift, Lorde, Madonna and More Are Gearing Up For the Big Night

Taylor Swift and Lorde
The 56th Annual Grammy Awards are set to air live on Sunday, Jan. 26 on CBS -- see how Taylor Swift, Lorde, Madonna and more are gearing up for the biggest music award show of the year

Music, newbies, legends, surprises, and much more! The 2014 Grammy Awards are just around the corner, with the biggest names in the industry nominated for their work this year — and others still set to perform, present, or just rock the red carpet.

While some shockers have already been revealed — Jay Z and Beyonce will perform together, Best Song-nominated singer Regina Spektor is skipping the show because she’s “super pregnant,” Madonna and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis are collaborating — other entertainers have been quietly gearing up for the big day.

Related: PHOTOS: Beyonce and Jay Z's sexy romance

Us Weekly has rounded up just a few of the boldfaced names who are gearing up for the biggest music show of the season — find out how they’re prepping for music’s biggest night! 

Taylor Swift is an old-timer when it comes to the Grammys. The 23-year-old singer has won seven statues since 2008, and is recognized in three categories this year — including Album of the Year for Red. Leading up to the music show, the songstress has been practicing for her live performance. “Today at rehearsals for grammys. I’m trying to remember…What was the song a lot of you were saying,” she tweeted on Thursday, Jan. 24. Alongside the caption, she shared a black and white photo of herself playing the piano on stage.

Related: PHOTOS: Taylor's best surprised faces

Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift practicing for the Grammys Sunday night

Swift’s buddy Lorde, meanwhile, is heading to the Grammy’s for the very first time. The “Royals” singer — who’s featured on Rolling Stone’s cover for its Jan. 23 issue — is nominated for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Pop Solo Performance and Best Pop Vocal Album. But despite the accolades, the 29-year-old newcomer told Us her life hasn’t changed much since her new-found fame. 

Related: PHOTOS: Most revealing Grammys dresses ever

“I mean I feel like I catch public transport slightly less than I did, just because sometimes I’m on a strict time limit,” the New Zealand native said at the Delta Air Lines Grammy party at L.A.’s Soho House on Jan. 23. “But I mean I still do it quite a lot back home.” As for what she will be rocking on the red carpet? She laughed: “You’re going to find out!”

Lorde performed for stars such as Kaley Cuoco, Hilary Duff, Anna Kendrick and Ashley Benson at the event. “Lorde is a star,” an insider told Us. “She has incredible energy. She will be the next Madonna.”

Related: PHOTOS: Stars' first Grammy appearances

As for Madonna, she’s yet another powerhouse that will be hitting the Grammys stage Sunday night. (She’s also tied with Swift with seven previous wins.) Us exclusively confirmed Saturday that she will be performing with Macklemore & Ryan Lewis to the LGBT equality anthem “Same Love.” It was officially confirmed Friday that the 55-year-old legend would be taking the stage.

“It’s official!” she wrote via Instagram at the time. “I’m off my crutches and I’m looking for the perfect pair of heels to wear to the Grammys.” (The star sustained a minor injury from dancing in high heels last Thursday.) Other musicians set to perform include Katy Perry, Paul McCartney, Kendrick Lamar, and John Legend.

Madonna
Madonna gearing up to perform at the Grammys Sunday night

Related: PHOTOS: Grammys -- stars' red carpet evolution

Imagine Dragons are also coming back for more after a stellar performance at the American Music Awards last November. “Grammy rehearsal then off to the wilderness for a private show tonight gigolo,” the band tweeted on Jan 23. The band’s hit “Radioactive” is up for Record of the Year and Best Rock Performance. (They won for Favorite Alternative Rock Artist at the AMAs.)

For other stars, just anticipating for the big show has been part of the fun. “Back in Los Angeles for Grammy stuff and other cool s–t,” Ed Sheeran tweeted on Friday. The British singer is up for Best New Artist. Lamar, on the other hand, started the party early. On Thursday, the rapper — who’s tied with Justin Timberlake, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and Pharrell Williams for seven nods — attended Diddy’s Revolt TV’s “Harlem to Hollywood” Studio Reveal in Hollywood.

Lastly, Grammy night will be something of a date night for one special music couple. Leading up to the big day, Alicia Keys — nominated for Best R&B Album for Girl on Fire — has been celebrating her 33rd birthday, and also performed “Natural Woman” to honor Carole King at the 2014 MusiCares Person of the Year event in L.A. Friday. (Sara Bareilles, nominated for Album of the Year for The Blessed Unrest, was also in attendance.)

“We always look forward for a win but at the end of the day waking up in the morning is a big enough win for us,” Keys’ husband, Swizz Beatz, told Us on the same night in L.A. while being honored at the VIBE Impact Awards. “[But] it could be major.”

The 56th Annual Grammy Awards will air on Sunday, Jan. 26 at 8 p.m. EST on CBS.

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