7 Best 2026 Oscars Music Moments

7 Music Moments From the 2026 Oscars You Didn’t See on TV

The Oscars always deliver big musical moments — soaring performances, emotional tributes, and award-winning songs. But as any music fan knows, some of the best stories happen off camera.

From backstage speeches to spontaneous celebrations, the 2026 Academy Awards had plenty of music-related moments that didn’t make the broadcast. Here are a few highlights that music lovers would appreciate.

The “Golden” Winners Finished Their Speeches Backstage

The song “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters made history by winning Best Original Song, becoming the first K-pop track ever to take the award.

But the full acceptance speech almost didn’t make it to the audience. The songwriting team were played off by the orchestra before they could finish thanking everyone. Once backstage, they continued the speech with journalists — sharing emotional thanks and reflecting on the global rise of K-pop in film music.

It’s the sort of moment that reminds you how much passion sits behind the songs we hear on screen.

The Crowd Turned the Oscars Into a K-Pop Concert

Inside the theatre, fans and guests leaned fully into the moment during the live performance of “Golden.”

Audience members waved glowing light sticks — a staple of K-pop concerts — transforming the traditionally formal Oscars audience into something closer to a pop arena crowd.

For a few minutes, Hollywood’s most prestigious film ceremony felt like a stadium show.

A Blues-Filled Performance Stole the Room

Another standout moment came from the performance of “I Lied to You” from the film Sinners. The stage was transformed into a rustic juke-joint setting, bringing together an incredible mix of musicians across generations.

Legends of blues and soul shared the stage with modern performers, creating the sort of collaboration that music collectors dream about — the past and present meeting in one live performance.

A Legendary Tribute Behind the Scenes

One of the evening’s most emotional musical moments came when Barbra Streisand returned to the Oscars stage for the first time in over a decade.

She performed “The Way We Were” as a tribute to the late Robert Redford, reflecting on their friendship and collaboration before delivering a heartfelt rendition of the classic song.

It was a reminder of how deeply music and cinema are connected — and how certain songs become part of film history.

Musicians Celebrating Each Other Backstage

Away from the cameras, the Oscars were full of musicians congratulating one another, swapping stories, and celebrating nominations.

Songwriters, producers, and performers gathered backstage after the ceremony — many of them meeting for the first time despite working in the same industry for years. It’s these quiet, behind-the-curtain moments that often spark future collaborations.

A Big Night for Film Music

The ceremony also highlighted just how powerful film scores remain. Composer Ludwig Göransson took home the Oscar for Best Original Score for Sinners, marking another major milestone in his already impressive career.

Film scores may not always get the spotlight of pop hits, but for vinyl collectors they’re often among the most immersive listening experiences.

The Oscars’ Musical Magic Continues

While the televised ceremony focuses on awards and performances, the real magic often happens just out of frame — in the corridors, backstage rooms, and spontaneous celebrations that bring musicians together.

For record collectors and soundtrack lovers, events like the Oscars are more than just film awards. They’re reminders that music — whether on stage, on screen, or spinning on a turntable — remains at the heart of the cinematic experience.