One of the biggest global music events, the MTV EMAs, landed in Manchester for the first time ever this weekend with the star-studded bash seeing the likes of the Pet Shop Boys, RAYE, Busta Rhymes and Teddy Swims descend on the city.
And Prolific North was there to experience it all (lucky us) as the red carpets were rolled out for the main event, hosted at Co-op Live on Sunday 10 November.
It’s the first major, televised event to be hosted by Co-op Live – and we’re pretty certain the owners behind the £365m venue, Oak View Group, were hoping to shift global perceptions following “frustrations” and setbacks before the venue finally its doors earlier this year in May.
With 2024 marking the 30th anniversary of the MTV EMAs, the show didn’t disappoint although it’s slightly less glamorous when sat watching behind the scenes instead of the edited, glitzy version, jazzed up with editing for TV screens.
Marking her third time as host, singer-songwriter Rita Ora fronted the spectacular show on a set inspired by Manchester’s music heritage and its warehouse party legacy with a balcony dubbed “Rita’s Bar” – where there were chats with stars throughout the evening including with Shaun and Bez, Happy Mondays legends. Ora was also the voice of Metrolink in the lead up to the awards.
From levitating grand pianos and acrobatic flips during Benson Boone’s performance, a dazzling set from Best UK & Ireland Act winner RAYE with a 30-strong choir and 13-piece live band, a set by Teddy Swims, to a whistlestop medley of hits from hiphop star Busta Rhymes – there was something for everyone in the venue and the millions of viewers at home.
Presented with the Global Icon Award, Busta Rhymes took to the stage with a lengthy acceptance speech, mentioning it was the first time he had ever received an award from MTV in his 34 year career.
All images courtesy of Shirlaine Forrest and Anthony Devlin/Getty Images for Viacom International
Despite Liam Gallagher being announced as the Best Rock winner – he sadly wasn’t one of the Northern icons in attendance. But there were plenty of other impressive appearances and performances across the evening.
In glimmering body paint, Tyla took to the stage with her latest track Push 2 Start followed by her smash hit Water. A stair set was quickly (and impressively) assembled by an army of stage staff for K-Pop legends LE SSERAFIM to perform their track Chasing Lightning, while Mexican sister trio The Warning performed a flaming rendition of their track Automatic Sun.
Shawn Mendes, who received the award for Best Canadian Act, whipped up excitement for younger members of the audience with an intimate, raw performance while Best Latin winners Peso Pluma hit the stage to perform his single Hollywood with a surprise appearance from his collaborator on the track, Estevan Plazola, with the duo backed by an eight-piece band.
It was expected that there would be a moment during the show to reflect on the life and work of singer Liam Payne, who tragically passed away last month. Towards the end of the evening, Rita Ora made a tearful, heartwarming tribute to her friend and said Payne was “one of the kindest people” that she knew.
“He had the biggest heart and was always the first person to offer help in any way,” she said. “He brought so much joy to every room he walked in and he left such a mark on the world.”
Wrapping up the show, inaugural 2024 MTV EMA Pop Pioneer recipients Pet Shop Boys took to the stage for a highly anticipated performance with Manchester Camerata, belting out a cover of David Bowie’s All The Young Dudes followed by the iconic hit West End Girls, in celebration of the single’s 40th anniversary.
The MTV EMAs sponsors included Meerchat from Compare the Market, Cetaphil for Sensitive Skin, Hotels.com and Paramount+, plus Northern bakery brand Greggs as backstage partner.
Taylor Swift unsurprisingly topped the winners list but in case you missed it, check out all the winners below…
All the 2024 MTV EMA Winners
BEST SONG
Sabrina Carpenter – Espresso
BEST VIDEO
Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – Fortnight
BEST ARTIST
Taylor Swift
BEST COLLABORATION
LISA ft. Rosalía – NEW WOMAN
BEST NEW
Benson Boone
BEST POP
Ariana Grande
BEST AFROBEATS
Tyla
BEST ROCK
Liam Gallagher
BEST LATIN
Peso Pluma
BEST K-POP
Jimin
BEST ALTERNATIVE
Imagine Dragons
BEST ELECTRONIC
Calvin Harris
BEST HIP-HOP
Eminem
BEST R&B
Tyla
BEST LIVE
Taylor Swift
BEST PUSH
LE SSERAFIM
BIGGEST FANS
LISA
All the 2024 MTV EMA Worldwide Winners
BEST AFRICAN ACT
Tyla
BEST ASIA ACT
BINI
BEST AUSTRALIAN ACT
Sia
BEST AUSTRIAN ACT
RAF Camora
BEST BRASILIAN ACT
Pabllo Vittar
BEST CANADIAN ACT
Shawn Mendes
BEST CARIBBEAN ACT
Young Miko
BEST DUTCH ACT
Roxy Dekker
BEST FRENCH ACT
Pierre Garnier
BEST GERMAN ACT
AYLIVA
BEST INDIA ACT
Mali
BEST ISRAELI ACT
Noa Kirel
BEST ITALIAN ACT
Annalisa
BEST LAT AM CENTRAL ACT
Manuel Turizo
BEST LAT AM NORTH ACT
YeriMua
BEST LAT AM SOUTH ACT
Dillom
BEST NORDIC ACT
Zara Larsson
BEST POLISH ACT
Daria Zawiałow
BEST PORTUGUESE ACT
Bárbara Bandeira
BEST SPANISH ACT
Lola Indigo
BEST SWISS ACT
Nemo
BEST UK & IRELAND ACT
RAYE
BEST US ACT
Taylor Swift
All images courtesy of Shirlaine Forrest and Anthony Devlin/Getty Images for Viacom International
