Shawn Mendes was the big winner at the MTV EMAs in London, scooping the Best Song and Best Artiste awards. Mendes had been expected to fare well, going into the EMAs with five nominations, and was a triple winner, taking the “biggest fans” accolade in addition to the above mentioned awards. Only Taylor Swift had more nominations, with six, but she didn’t pick up any awards on the night.
The EMAs were held at the SSE Arena, Wembley on Sunday (Nov 12), but also saw MTV stage events around the British capital. U2, recipients of the Global Icon award on the night, performed Get Out Of Your Own Way from Trafalgar Square. Eminem was on the mic in a London pub before taking to the EMA stage and performing his new single, Walk on Water. The rapper picked up the Best Hip-Hop gong.
Best Video went to Kendrick Lamar for Humble, Best Live Act to Ed Sheeran, and Best Rock to Coldplay. Dua Lipa scooped the Best New Artiste accolade.
Rita Ora hosted and performed, opening the show alongside Kurupt FM, the stars of BBC comedy People Just Do Nothing, with a skit that featured London Mayor Sadiq Khan. The night’s big winner, Mendes, sung his best song-winning track There’s Nothing Holding Me Back from a huge light box.
Grime star Stormzy brought the hometown vibes, arriving in a police car and performing Big for Your Boots. Other big set-piece performances on the night included best pop winner Camilia Cabello’s epic routine, which culminated in a Havana-style swimming pool being projected onto the stage, and The Killers’ performance of The Man, which used an innovative 360-degree filming technique.
Liam Payne, Travis Scott, Demi Lovato, and Kesha also performed. David Guetta closed the show with his new single, Dirty, Sexy, Money, with guests French Montana, Charli XCX and Afrojack. – Reuters
U2 is the recipient of the Global Icon award. Photo: Reuters
