The following is a list of events and releases that happened in 2020 in music in the United States.
Events January 10 – Selena Gomez released her first studio album in nearly five years, Rare. Echosmith released their first studio album in six years, Lonely Generation. 13 – Lauren Daigle performed the National Anthem at the 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. 26 – The 62nd Annual Grammy Awards, hosted by Alicia Keys, took place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas took home the most awards with five each. Eilish won all four General field awards, including Album of the Year with When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?, both Record of the Year and Song of the Year for "Bad Guy", and Best New Artist. She is the first artist to win every major award in the same year since Christopher Cross in 1981. 31 – Taylor Swift released Miss Americana, a Netflix documentary based on the singer's life and her recent stance on politics to critical acclaim. Along with the documentary, Swift released a song, "Only the Young" alongside the documentary.
February 2 – Demi Lovato performed the National Anthem, and Jennifer Lopez and Shakira performed the halftime show during Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. 3 – Green Day released their first studio album in nearly four years, Father of All Motherfuckers. 14 – Justin Bieber released his first album in nearly five years, Changes. 24 – Armor for Sleep announced a reunion for a 2020 summer tour which will celebrate the 15th anniversary of their 2005 album, What to Do When You Are Dead, but soon the tour was postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.https://www.facebook.com/ArmorForSleep/photos/a.469043520501/10158537940485502/?type=3&__tn__=-R
March 2 – After 35 years with the group, Flavor Flav was fired from Public Enemy. 6 – Lauv released his full-length debut studio album How I'm Feeling. Mandy Moore released her first studio album in eleven years, Silver Landings. Lil Uzi Vert released their long-awaited studio album Eternal Atake 13 – Jay Electronica released his debut studio album and his first full project in thirteen years, A Written Testimony. 20 – Legendary country singer and actor Kenny Rogers died at the age of 81. Conan Gray released his full-length debut studio album Kid Krow, becoming the biggest new artist debut of the year. The Weeknd released his fourth studio album After Hours, the most-streamed R&B album of all time and one of his greatest and most conceptual projects so far. However, it garnered some controversy after The Weeknd boycotted the Grammy Awards for nominating him on the General Field categories, such as Album of the Year and Song of the Year. 22 – Childish Gambino, released his first studio album in four years, 3.15.20. 27 – Pearl Jam released their first studio album in seven years, Gigaton. Jessi Alexander released her first album in six years, Decatur Country Red.
April 3 – Testament released their first studio album in four years, Titans of Creation. Sam Hunt released his first studio album in six years, Southside. 10 – Sparta released their first studio album in fourteen years, Trust the River. The Strokes released their first studio album in seven years, The New Abnormal. Maddie & Tae released their first studio album in five years, The Way It Feels. 17 – Fiona Apple released her first studio album in eight years, Fetch the Bolt Cutters. 22 – X released their first studio album in 27 years, Alphabetland.
May 9 – Little Richard died at the age of 87 due to bone cancer. 17 – Just Sam won the eighteenth season of American Idol. Arthur Gunn was named runner-up. 19 – Todd Tilghman was named winner of the eighteenth season of The Voice. Toneisha Harris was named runner-up. 29 – Lady Gaga released her first studio album in nearly four years, Chromatica.
June 11 – Lady Antebellum changed their name to Lady A (a nickname fans have gave them since they first came out) in the wake of the George Floyd protests, to remove any associations the old name might have had with Civil War history, slavery and the Antebellum South. 19 – Lamb of God released their self-titled album, their first studio album of original material in five years. Mushroomhead released their first studio album in six years, A Wonderful Life. Phantom Planet released their first studio album in twelve years, Devastator. 23 – Hum released their first studio album in 22 years, Inlet. 26 – Kansas released their first studio album in four years, The Absence of Presence.
July 6 – Country music legend Charlie Daniels died at the age of 83.; 10 – Rufus Wainwright released his first studio album in eight years, Unfollow The Rules. Static-X released Project Regeneration Volume 1, their first studio album in 11 years; it features some of the final recordings of original frontman Wayne Static who died in November 2014. The Rentals released their first studio album in six years Q36. My Morning Jacket released their first studio album in five years, The Waterfall II. 17 – The Chicks, formerly known as the Dixie Chicks, released their first album in fourteen years, Gaslighter. It is also their first album under their new name. They had dropped "Dixie", which referenced the American Mason–Dixon line, separating the free and slave-owning southern states. The name change followed criticism that the word had connotations of American slavery. 24 – Neon Trees released their first studio album in six years, I Can Feel You Forgetting Me. 31 – Brandy released her first studio album in eight years, B7.
August 14 – Tanya Donelly released her first studio album in fourteen years, with the , Tanya Donelly and the Parkingtion Sisters. 21 – Bright Eyes released their first studio album in nine years, Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was. Tim McGraw released his first solo studio album in five years, Here on Earth. 22 – Singer Alex Varkatzas left Atreyu after 22 years with the band. 28 – G.E. Smith released his first studio album in five years, Stony Hill. 30 – The MTV Video Music Awards took place. Lady Gaga took home the most awards with five including Artist of the Year.
September 16 – The 55th Academy of Country Music Awards took place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was originally scheduled for April 5 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 18 – Alicia Keys released her first studio album in four years, Alicia. 25 – Sufjan Stevens released his first solo studio album in five years, The Ascension. Deftones released their first studio album in four years, Ohms.
October 2 – Aloe Blacc released his first studio album in six years, All Love Everything. Bon Jovi released their first studio album in four years, 2020. Dolly Parton released her first Christmas album in 30 years, A Holly Dolly Christmas. 6 – Van Halen guitarist Eddie Van Halen died from throat cancer at the age of 65. The following month, the band officially announced their disbandment. 9 – DevilDriver released their first studio album of original material in four years, Dealing With Demons I. The first part of a double-album cycle, the second part was due to be released in 2021, but will arrive in 2023. Blue Öyster Cult released their first studio album in nineteen years, The Symbol Remains. 14 – The Billboard Music Awards took place. 21 – The CMT Music Awards took place. 23 – Armored Saint released their first studio album in five years, Punching the Sky. 30 – Busta Rhymes released his first studio album in eight years, Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God. Mr. Bungle released their first studio album in 21 years, The Raging Wrath of the Easter Bunny Demo. Puscifer released their first studio album in five years, Existential Reckoning.
November 6 – Fates Warning released their first studio album in four years, Long Day Good Night. 11 – The CMA Awards took place. Darius Rucker and Reba McEntire hosts. 12 – Billie Eilish released "Therefore I Am", the second single from her second studio album Happier Than Ever. The song made the fourth-biggest leap in Billboard Hot 100 history, vaulting from 94-2 on the chart. 22 – The American Music Awards took place. 27 – Hatebreed released their first studio album in four years, Weight of the False Self.
December 4 – Geographer released their first full-length studio album in five years, Down And Out In The Garden Of Earthly Delights. 7 – It was announced that Bob Dylan had sold all rights in his entire song catalog to Universal Music Publishing Group. 11 – M. Ward released his first studio album in four years, Think of Spring. Less Than Jake released their first studio album in seven years, Silver Linings; it is also their first album without founding drummer Vinnie Fiorello, who left the band in 2018. Kid Cudi released his first solo studio album in four years, Man on the Moon III: The Chosen. 12 – Charley Pride, the first Black superstar of country music died at age 86, due to complications of COVID-19.
Bands formed Darko US Koyo L.S. Dunes The Violent
Bands reformed
Bands on hiatus Against Me! The Chainsmokers Grizzly Bear Imagine Dragons Night Riots Real Friends Simple Creatures Stone Sour
Bands disbanded Babes In Toyland JJ Doom KMD Madvillain The Mowgli's Myka Relocate She Wants Revenge Van Halen
Albums released in 2020
January Date Album Artist Genre (s)3Dead and Gone (EP)Stabbing Westward10Re-DunnRonnie DunnLonely GenerationEchosmithRareSelena GomezPopI DisagreePoppyPop-metal1720/20 VisionAnti-FlagPunk rockHow to Be HumanChelsea CutlerEDMMusic to Be Murdered ByEminemThe JuiceG. Love & Special SauceAlternative rockManicHalseyNothing But Love Jana HerzenNightfallLittle Big TownCountryTullahomaDustin LynchCountryMasqueradeMestPop punkCirclesMac MillerHip hopUR FUNof MontrealCalafrioStroke 9Alternative rockBorn to RuleTransviolet24AuroraBreaking BenjaminLeave What's Lost BehindColony HouseIndie rockGood Good ManVance GilbertFolk1000 FacesJason Ross31The Best Ones of The Best OnesDashboard ConfessionalIce Cream HellTinsley EllisHigh RoadKeshaLikewiseFrances QuinlanTreat MyselfMeghan Trainor
February Date Album Artist Genre (s)7Country FuzzThe Cadillac ThreeCountryAlmost ForeverCheerleaderWake UpFat TonyHip hopFather of All MotherfuckersGreen DayLimitlessRichard MarxNever Not TogetherNada SurfAlternative rockPerdidaStone Temple PilotsPlay That Rock N' RollThe SupersuckersRock14HoneymoonBeach BunnyNew Empire, Vol. 1Hollywood UndeadWeatherHuey Lewis and the NewsCarly PearceCarly PearceCountryAnd It's Still AlrightNathaniel RateliffSwimmerTennisBaby Gravy 2Yung Gravy & bbno$Hip hop21Always TomorrowBest CoastIndie popDreamlandCOINThe Studio album CollectionDioEnvyFraming HanleyAlternative rockSurrender Your Poppy FieldGuided by VoicesWild Wild WestSunny JainFrom This PlacePat Metheny28F8Five Finger Death PunchBrain PainFour Year StrongIt's Easy To Feel Like A NobodyJuiceboxxxHip hopSaturn ReturnThe Secret SistersColor TheorySoccer Mommy
March Date Album Artist Genre (s)6ChilomboJhene' AikoContemporary R&B Kids Like UsThe GrahamsYou'll Be FineHot MulliganPop punkHow I'm FeelingLauvPopEternal AtakeLil Uzi VertSilver LandingsMandy MoorePopCeremonyPhantogramElectronic rockBone StructureRon PopeSuperstarCaroline RosePLACEMENTWatskyAlternative hip hop13Darwin Deez 10 Yearz Darwin DeezIndie rockYou Know I'm Not Going AnywhereThe DistrictsHealerGrouploveA Written TestimonyJay ElectronicaHip hopPossessionJoywaveSupernovaCaitlyn SmithThrill Seeker (EP)Sub UrbanPinkTwo FeetElectronic rock20KelseaKelsea BalleriniCountry popThe LightDelta RaeKid Krow Conan GrayMabern Plays MabernHarold MabernThrough a Dark WoodSea WolfIndie rock223.15.20Childish Gambino26Ghosts V: TogetherNine Inch NailsGhosts VI: Locusts27Decatur Country Red Jessi AlexanderCountryThirtesJill AndrewsMotherIn This MomentGigatonPearl JamSaint CloudWaxahatchee
April