With a performance lineup including Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber, Foo Fighters, Alicia Keys, Olivia Rodrigo, and Lil Nas X, the 2021 MTV VMAs sought to mix the veterans with the new kids.
After last year’s forced COVID mess of outdoor live shots and pre-recorded productions, the annual music awards show took a crack in the normality of award shows by returning to a frame traditional at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
And it paid off. Pyrotechnics, arena-sized sets and live audience (wearing face masks) combined for the most exciting awards show in recent memory.
Here’s a look at the performances as they unfolded:
Justin Bieber, “Stay” with Kid Laroi; ‘Ghost’
The Kid Laroi, who looked ready to fly a flight in dark aviator goggles, offered a caffeinated opening with Bieber – making his first appearance in six years – as they hopped around the stage in unison over fake mountains. But after their warm embrace, Bieber, in overalls and hoodie, reflected on the significance of the lasers surrounding him for his new single, “Ghost.”
Olivia Rodrigo, ‘Good 4 U’
Surrounded by masked dancers, one of this year’s VMA darlings followed the snare of her drummer as she cooed and raged through her No.1 hit. Balloons, confetti and pyro supported her. performance as she scolded the hook to the song, “Maybe I’m Too Emotional,” with the kind of middle finger attitude that said to viewers, no, she’s fine, thanks.
Kacey Musgraves, ‘Star-Crossed’
For her first VMA performance, the country singer took the class route. Surrounded by candles and a lonely guitarist, her warm voice plunged into the heartbreaking ballad of the painfully personal song. As a heart statue behind her blazed and the rest of her group leaned forward, Musgraves was still the undeniable focal point of a brief but poignant performance.
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Twenty-one pilots, ‘Saturday’
Beginning with a stripped-down atmosphere emphasized by singer Tyler Joseph playing the ukulele, the song which already marked a 180 compared to the band’s usual rate sounded airy and, finally, forgettable. As crashing (video) waves surrounded the stage, Joseph dabbled in some footwork with the duo’s backing vocals as the live horns added depth and Josh Dun attacked his drums. The blonde singer also used his time on stage to mention that his wife is pregnant, an oddly fitting announcement given the song’s lightness.
Ed Sheeran, “Chills”
Performing live from Pier 3 in Brooklyn Bridge Park, the beloved Ginger stood atop a triangular stage for his first VMA appearance since 2017 to debut his catchy pop song. Thin and smiling – fatherhood and marriage seemingly suit him – Sheeran looked perfect. While it’s odd to see him backed by a band (Sheeran and his looping device have been a happy couple for a long time), the addition of background singers and electric guitar climbs indicated just how great this song is. already tailor-made for the inevitable tour that will follow his next new album, “=” (“Equal to) which is due out on October 29th.
Lil Nas X, “Industry Baby” with Jack Harlow; ‘Montero (Call me by your name)’
Borrowing from Beyoncé and Taylor Swift with his fanfare entrance, the headline quickly stripped naked to bar his ripped torso. Bouncing with a troupe of dancers dressed in hot pink, the Atlanta native deployed “Industry Baby” in front of a “Montero Prison” setting with “prisoners” lining the aisles. The song’s guest star, Jack Harlow, appeared in the middle of the song, wearing a glamorous version of a Hefty bag, but quickly left to give Lil Nas X more time to strip even more. He didn’t sing much more than the chorus of “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)”, but the setup gave him the opportunity to twirl in hot glittery fuchsia pants in the middle of a group of underwear guys. -clothes.
Camila Cabello, “Don’t go yet”
Injecting sassy Latin pop into the evening, Cabello embraced her Cuban heritage with a full production number with a sexy one-shoulder, leg-showcasing dress. The combination of the song’s chorus and the ace dancers skillfully masked Cabello’s limitations as a singer. Yes, she is a perfectly pleasant performer, but not quite the “iconic legend” as she was presented by Charli XCX. Let’s keep the hyperbole for artists who’ve been around for at least a decade, cool?
Shawn Mendes and Tainy, “Summer of Love”
Always romantic, Mendes walked around the stage in wide-legged pants that looked like they had raided Harry Styles’ closet as he sang the dream song. Running his hands through his luxurious locks and displaying his billion dollar smile at the hands stretched out in front of him, Mendes is an effortless idol – and looked even more the part huddled in clouds of dry ice. That he also has such a pure voice is a bonus.
Doja Cat, ‘Been Like This’, ‘You’re right’
The hostess went to heaven for her performance, which was part Sia’s wacky and part ridiculous performance art. While it’s still questionable whether an artist is lip-syncing, there doesn’t seem to be much evidence that Doja sang live as she floated above the stage in her trendy red ensemble, “singing “in an indistinguishable whisper. Sometimes shyness is attractive. Other times it’s just irritating.
Chlöe, ‘Have mercy’
Playing without her sister Halle Bailey (who introduced her), Chlöe flaunted her acting instincts early in her performance with a throaty scream. Her sassy presentation in a pink leotard and matching ankle boots also showed how much she learned from mentor Beyonce as she imbued her performance with drama, twerk and, most importantly, true vocal talent.
Normani, “wild side”
In her silver outfit that was more than a nod to Janet Jackson, the former Fifth Harmony singer rocked the stage with her sultry R&B ballad. On a set that went from stark white to red, Normani offered vocal tracks in the middle of his dry finger. But the end of her performance is what will go around the internet as she performed a straight dance (is that a thing?) On a young woman strapped to a ladder contraption.
Ozuna, ‘La Funka’
And the prize for the performance most resembling an acid trip goes to … the Latin superstar who shared the stage with the cutest co-stars of the series: dancing bears who came down the ramps and the tracks, following each no Ozuna during the effusive song. As the backdrop turned to neon palm trees and lasers, the person of the moon looming above the stage throughout the show transformed into a gigantic bear hoisting the Puerto Rican flag before returning to the person from the moon, now holding a Dominican Republic flag – a proud Ozuna tribute to his heritage.