For most across the country, last night was perhaps simply another Sunday evening spent planning the upcoming work week and watching the Strictly Come Dancing results. In Manchester, however, this particularly average Sunday was transformed into one of glitz and intrigue as a host of international stars descended on the North. The MTV EMAs, in its thirtieth year, took over Manchester’s Co-Op Live, delivering an evening of stellar performances, stand-out moments and unexpected encounters.
The evening was a family affair. Three-time host Rita Ora brought her mother along, Mabel presented an award with her mother and previous EMA recipient Neneh Cherry, and Jodie Turner-Smith said Happy Birthday to her mother who joined her as a guest. Even Busta Rhymes who accepted his award for Global Icon, dedicated the commemorative moment to his mother: “my mother is my best friend, my mother is my hero.” During her acceptance for Best Afrobeats, Tyla was joined on stage by her sister and the pair celebrated a triad of wins after wins in the Best R&B and Best African Act categories.
TikTok-favourite Benson Boone opened the proceedings, suspended from a golden grand piano mid-air performing his hits ‘Slow It Down’ and ‘Beautiful Things’. Boone later went on to win ‘Best New’, remarking, “I’ve not been doing music a crazy long time, I didn’t know that this is where it would go”. He used his moment in the spotlight to tease future material: “Get ready for the new album.”
Soon after Boone’s opening salvo, South African singer-songwriter Tyla took to the stage, offering a dreamy rendition of her latest single ‘Push 2 Start’, mashed-up with breakout hit ‘Water’. Best UK & Ireland act winner RAYE proved herself to be one of the greatest live performers out there, joined on stage by a 30-strong gospel choir to provide a truly goosebump-worthy rendition of her hits, ‘Escapism’, The Oscar-winning ‘Tears’ and ‘Body Dysmorphia’.
Other notable performances include Mexican sisters The Warning, who brought rock and roll to Co-Op Live, performing single ‘Automatic Sun’ with ferocity and finesse – their contagious, red-hot energy matched only by the pyro-fuelled stage. Shawn Mendes delivered the sweet melodies of his latest single ‘Heart of Gold’, dressed down in denim jeans and a cream turtle-neck, offering some of the boyish charm of his early come-up. Teddy Swims, draped in all white, supplied impressive, timeless vocals during his performance of songs ‘The Door’ and hit song ‘Lose Control’.
Key awards saw Eminem taking hop Best Hip-Hop, sending in a video message (doing a somewhat respectable British accent) to thank his fans, Sabrina Carpenter who won ‘Best Song’ for chart-topping ‘Espresso’ and Taylor Swift, who won Best Artist, Best Live, Best US Act and Best Video for single ‘Fortnight’ featuring Post Malone.
Rita Ora as the third-time host of the show showcased a series of eccentric red-carpet looks, never without feathers or diamonds. In one heartfelt moment, Ora offered a moving tribute to the late Liam Payne, who she declared “was one of the kindest people I knew […] He has the biggest heart […] He brought so much joy to every room he walked into.” The night came to a close with a career-high performance from Pet Shop Boys who offered their usual sonic and visual mastery. Full of colour, verve and life, their ‘out of this world’ performance saw them joined by the Manchester Camerata celebrating forty years of ‘West End Girls’ and ‘All The Young Dudes’.
It must be said, the evening did lack some sincerity. Considering recent world events, there’s a level of expectation that artists from across the globe, whose music brings so much joy to the masses, would highlight current affairs. The MTV EMAs remained a decidedly apolitical space, unlike fellow award shows the MOBOs or even the BRIT Awards, which consistently serve as spaces for artists to use their platforms to advocate for causes bigger than themselves.
Today, so many music-lovers feel increasingly disillusioned with the notion of celebrity. In no way should this diminish the success of the artists who achieved personal dreams in taking home EMAs last night. One could argue award shows in general have long appeared out-of-touch when aligned against real world issues, but the silence and apathy felt particularly glaring yesterday. The EMAs and its VIPs in attendance – and other world events like it – should take heed that glamour, glitz and celebrity does not hold the power it once did. Fans across the world expect more.
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Words: Grace Dodd
Photo Credit: Shirlaine Forrest/Getty Images for Viacom International
