The 2020 VMAs Will Be Different Than Ever Before. Here's How to Watch.
If there were going to be a show that persisted in the face of a global pandemic, it's the MTV Video Music Awards. Initially, the show was scheduled to take place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY (the first time since 2013), but those plans were eventually scrapped due to the COVID-19 virus. Now, it will look entirely different, with a digital event that includes host Keke Palmer.
So how is the show still going on? And who is performing? And where exactly is it going to happen? It's going to be an intricate balancing act that spans the entire city of New York, and the ceremony sounds more impressive and interactive than it's ever been before.
How Are the Awards Happening?
Initially, plans for the Barclays Center ceremony were still on, but with "little or no audience," as reported by Variety. Instead of trying to limit the ceremony to one hollowed out arena, why not... strategically set it across the entire city of New York? In a statement released by MTV parent company, Viacom, the network announced a new concept:
This year’s screen breaking spectacle will bring together music fans worldwide and pay homage to the strength, spirit and incredible resilience of NYC and its beloved residents. Spanning all five boroughs — Brooklyn, The Bronx, Staten Island, Queens and Manhattan — music’s biggest night will feature epic performances from various iconic locations.”
The 2021 show is reportedly scheduled to take place at Barclays Center instead. In addition to performances happening across all five boroughs of New York City, year-specific awards and segments have been added to this show. While none of the staple awards are vanishing (Best Video, Artist of the Year), the ceremony has included Best Video from Home, Best Quarantine Performance, and Everyday Heroes: Frontline Medical Workers.
Who is Performing?
If you tune into the pre-show starting at 6:30 pm ET on Sunday, August 30, Jack Harlow, Chloe x Halle, Tate McRae, Lewis Capaldi, and Machine Gun Kelly featuring Travis Barker and Blackbear will take the stage in the 90 minutes leading up to the scheduled show. Once events kick off at 8:00 pm ET, Lady Gaga is set to kick off the show with a medley of hits, likely being joined by Ariana Grande shortly after for the world premiere performance of "Rain on Me," which is nominated for seven awards this weekend.
Performances also include songs from the Black Eyed Peas" (we're surprised, too!), BTS, CNCO, Doja Cat, Maluma, DaBaby, The Weeknd, and a final performance by Miley Cyrus, performing her new single "Midnight Sky."
How Can I Watch?
The VMAs, of course, will be available live on MTV, but it is also streamable through the MTV app. You'll still need a cable provider login, but the app is currently available on Google Play, Apple TV, Roku, and other platforms.
You Might Also Like
