Best of Berlin: U2, Jay-Z, Beyonce
It Happened Last Night
Bono and Jay-z / Photo by Getty Images
Thursday, MTV's European Music Awards took place in Berlin, Germany, 20 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall. U2, Jay-Z, Katy Perry, Shakira, and others performed -- and Beyonce walked away with three trophies, the night's biggest winner. Check out our take on the event's best & worst moments:
Check out a photo gallery from the show here.
THE BEST:
Beyonce & Jay-Z Take Over Europe, the World
Ostensibly last night's show had a 1920s cabaret theme, but it was actually all about pop music's power couple. Beyonce took home the most awards of the night, winning for "Best Female," "Best Song," and "Best Video" and completely overshadowed host Katy Perry's tweaked-out pinup shtick with her mesmerizing, sexed-up rendition of "Sweet Dreams." Jay-Z delivered a show-stopping performance of "Empire State of Mind" in front of a swirling New York City skyline with backup singer Bridget Kelly standing in admirably for Alicia Keys, then made it across town in time to join U2 at the Brandenburg Gate for a blissfully over-the-top rendition of "Sunday Bloody Sunday." By the time Beyonce accepted her third trophy by cooing, "There's only one person I wanna thank, and that's J for putting a ring on it!," we were all unabashedly drunk on the gooeyness.
Green Day: Robots?
In the show's opening number, the "Best Rock" winners blasted through two songs in front of an orgy of pyrotechnic explosions, intermittently cursing into the microphone and inciting everyone to "stand the fuck up!" As the ageless, blonde-again Billie Joe Armstrong thanked the voters for granting the band the "Best Cock" award and ran through the crowd of German teenagers – most of whom really seemed to be biding their time before the incomprehensibly worshiped Tokio Hotel made their entrance – one got the feeling that the retro-punk trio have actually become petrified in time. No surprises, but no disappointments. Just Green Day.
Foo Fighters Balk, Then Deliver
When the band first started up with their somewhat boring twangy number, "Wheels," it seemed like a distracted-looking Dave Grohl might be phoning it in to this one. Not a huge surprise, considering he was there to promote a greatest hits album that he's said he never wanted to release in the first place. But then the band sprung into life and head-banged through a tight, driving rendition of "All My Life," and later Katy Perry gigglingly hinted that Grohl had been exposing himself backstage. Good to know you're still with us, Dave.
THE WORST:
Shakira Gong Wrong
The only thing worse than Shakira's skanky gold lame apron dress and the inexplicable gong dancers with kung-fu ponytails, was the song itself ("Did It Again").
The Hoff Does It Again
It's not the fact that David Hasslehoff showed up completely schloshed to a gig at a major, internationally broadcast event in the only place in the world where he's still considered somewhat relevant (or at least entertaining). It's not the fact that he staggered backwards down the red carpet in a seizure-inducing sequined suit, was difficult with journalists, and gave a squinty, slurry approximation of an award presentation. It's the fact that really, nobody expected anything different.
THE SO-SO:
Katy Perry Camps It Up
On one hand, she's cute, has a lot of energy and seemed to actually enjoy herself onstage. On the other hand, most of the time her "wacky outrageousness" feels canned, and her facial expressions are scary and intense, kind of like the soul of a spastic demon breathed into a Zooey Deschanel blow-up doll. Either way, it's hard to understand why MTV brought her back as the only person to host the EMAs twice. Maybe it has something to do with cutbacks?
U2 and MTV's Berlin "Fence"
Okay, so you're a little bit dead inside if you didn't mist up watching Bono belt out "One" in front of the bombastically illuminated Brandenburg Gate, where twenty years ago the citizens of a divided city partied on the ruins of the Iron Curtain. But in all their efforts to cash in on the symbolism of the 20-year anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, MTV didn't think about the fact that building a giant security gate around the open-air concert to keep out those without tickets might not be the pinnacle of tact. When outrage about the setup began circulating in the German press, the network released a statement that the aforementioned structure was only a "temporary security fence," and that "[under] no circumstances did MTV build a 'wall' of any kind in or around the U2 production site." Whatever you say, Khrushchev.
55 Comments
Click here to comment- Posted By Juli
11.06.09 2:21 PM
Funny leaving out one of the nights best performances-Tokio Hotel. Their performance was a true celebration of the coming down of the Wall. The only German act and winner of a major award certainly should get some mention (plus they were great). Katy Perry was horrible and even worse boring. Green Day was great and the Hoff was drunk.
- Posted By Mary Martinson
11.06.09 2:30 PM
You forgot to mention the amazing performance by Tokio Hotel! I thought it was an eye opening performance! Great live singing!
- Posted By jasparrules
11.06.09 2:39 PM
I can't believe you left out the best performance of the night! Tokio Hotel rocked the show!
- Posted By Hannahhhhhh
11.06.09 2:41 PM
lol Germany does not still consider David Hasselhoff relevant.
http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,659600,00.htmlMy favorite performances were...the Tokio Hotel and Jay-Z performances
My least favorite part was Katy Perry's hosting.
- Posted By Anonymous
11.06.09 2:43 PM
you do realise this is the 20 year anniversy of the fall of the berlin wall..and you did not even MENTION tokio hotel who performed and outshined everybody..seriously didnt you do you homework?
oh and katy perry was boring and not funny all..yes shes hot but it would be better shut up we dont mind watching her when her mouth is shut.
- Posted By harlequinnn
11.06.09 3:16 PM
Well, you did prove that you don't comprehend Tokio Hotel. At least you admit it.
- Posted By Ryu
11.06.09 3:24 PM
Wow, no mention of Tokio Hotel's amazing World Behind My Wall performance. They had one of the best performances of the night. They did a fantastic job on stage and Katy Perry's hosting was not so-so ...it was down right horrible. Also no mention of Leona Lewis' performance either. It would seem that you just forgot to mention the European artists at the European Music Awards.
- Posted By Quill
11.06.09 3:29 PM
"Billie Joe Armstrong thanked the voters for granting the band the "Best ****" award and ran through the crowd of German teenagers – most of whom really seemed to be biding their time before the incomprehensibly worshiped Tokio Hotel made their entrance –"
Really? That's the only mentioning of Tokio Hotel? The band that brought out one of the best performances with their song World Behind My Wall? Come on. It's the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Wall of Berlin and you can't see how that song suits and honors the history of the hosting country? It's not a small thing-- it was something very important, but no-- No mentioning of the connection or how the song was very suiting an apt. Not even a mentioning that they actually performed anything.
Tokio Hotel is from Germany, had a great performance in remembrance of the 9th, and won Best Group. I really think they deserved at least an explanation as to WHY the audience was waiting for them to perform. They're an amazing group from the hosting country, Germany, that is successful throughout Europe-- of COURSE everyone at the EMA's will be waiting for Tokio Hotel.
Katy Perry wasn't a so-so, she was most certainly a "no-no". I hope she'll never host anything again-- or sing the nominated songs in a melody first thing in the show. Just no... that was horrible.
- Posted By Buffy
11.06.09 3:50 PM
What an amazing night! It was thrilling to see the EMA's return to Berlin, especially on the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin wall. Most of the live performances were amazing! I sat at my computer with pen and paper writing down the European acts that through the small nomination/winning snippets caught my attention. I did however find it odd that for a program highlighting European music there were far to few European acts nominated or performing. With the dazzling exception of the German band "Tokio Hotel". I was very impressed with this young band, especially their lead singer. I was disappointed that in your article you failed to make any connections between the fall of the Berlin wall, this obviously exciting German band and the fact that they beat out some very big American names in the category of "Best Group". I will definitely be checking into them as well as some of the other European acts. Unfortunately, not because of any insight I received reading your review.
- Posted By rarrkun
11.06.09 4:02 PM
Katy Perry's "hosting" (I'm using that term very loosely) ought to be filed under the Worst category. She made such a mess of the show, half the time I was just facepalming in secondhand embarrassment.
It was still a great show though, despite the bad choice of a host. Jay-Z's performance was great, and Green Day did a good job of opening the show. The article dismissed one of the best performances of the night from Tokio Hotel though. Their Berlin Wall tribute performance of "World Behind My Wall" was the highlight of the night for me because it just suited the event so well, especially with the symbolism of breaking barriers. (With them being one of the few German acts to gain success outside their homeland, and such.) They're one of the few European artists who performed/ were nominated that night, it's sad that they keep getting shafted as far as press mentions go.
- Posted By justfan
11.06.09 5:12 PM
I will agree with what most people was saying about article ignoring German band Tokio Hotel, who won Best Band at European awards, which was hold at Berlin, Germany, whose performance honored the Fall of Berlin Wall, and just generally rocked the hell of everything in there, and who actually representing the generation of the young guys who was born in East Germany and who now happened to live in United Germany. How is that for some facts to make your article little deeper. And although I love those bands, there are more bands in the world besides U2, Green Day and Foo Fighters.
- Posted By Anonymous
11.06.09 6:49 PM
"incomprehensibly worshipped Tokio Hotel"
Yes, because God forbid teenagers worship an age appropriate band that actually play their own instruments very well and whose singer can actually sing, and that didn't look too shabby among other performers with years more experience and in at least one case (U2), who have been performing since before Tokio Hotel members were even born. Incomprehensible.
- Posted By BaileyP
11.06.09 8:24 PM
One of the highlights of these EMAS was certainly Tokio Hotel's performance. The band, all born in East Germany, put on a heartfelt and exciring live performance. Their performance of World Behind My Wall certainly was appropriate for the 20th anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall. Any band that ends its performance with a burning piano playing out the last notes deserves some mention. They certainly took some risks and they paid off- being mentioned as one of the few highlights by many publications and news orginazations. But not a word from this site (not even a picture in the gallery). Why? They even won Best Group-pretty good for a group of small town East German guys whose youngest members (the Kaulitz twins) were only 11 when they formed the band. I thought Jay-Z and Green Day were great. Katy Perry was terrible as the host-boring and no charisma.
- Posted By Anonymous
11.06.09 9:05 PM
I think that Tokio Hotel's performance was definitely one of the highlights as well. The band members were all born in east Germany, and their performance was a great tribute to the Berlin Wall. The pyro was amazing, and I loved how videos and pictures from the actual Berlin Wall played in the background. I think they were the best of the night!
- Posted By TokioVal
11.06.09 10:44 PM
I believe you entirely skipped the best performance of the night - Tokio Hotel's World Behind my Wall. Not only was it a great song, it was put through with a powerful message. These year's awards weren't just about music and Hollywood celebrities. They were about the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin wall. And as the biggest European band, Tokio Hotel did a fantastic job depicting this fall through their use of imagery and pyrotechnics.
And I suppose you also forgot that they won Best Group?
- Posted By TorialuvsBill
11.06.09 11:14 PM
Tokio Hotel was the Best Part of the night!They Rocked that Stage!!! <333
- Posted By Dacia
11.06.09 11:15 PM
It amazes me how you pretty much dismissed Tokio Hotel. Their performance was astounding and fitted perfectly with the night. Obviously you were watching with your eyes closed to not notice the band themselves nor the wall behind them which showed memories of the wall. Then as the fire blasts into the air the wall comes down. On top of that they won Best Group! You seriously do not find that worth writing about?
- Posted By Lizzie
11.06.09 11:16 PM
Considering it was an energetic start with Green Day - DON'T HATE the fact that the loudest screaming was for TOKIO HOTEL - they ARE european in a EUROPEAN MUSIC AWARDS - since you also FAILED to mention that through all this usual extravagance & ridiculous homage to american artists - TOKIO HOTEL was the only native european BAND that performed with a SONG absolutely relevant & not an homage to CABARET - it was an award SHOW celebrating several very important anniversaries - i mean U2 played at the Brandenburg Gate and BONO said: "HAPPY BIRTHDAY BERLIN!" come on, don't miss mentioning the performance by TOKIO HOTEL - even if you say you mentioned them in passing
- Posted By Raye
11.06.09 11:58 PM
Come now, we can't forget about the absolutely amazing performance by Tokio Hotel! They set the stage on fire and it wasn't just because they themselves are so hot! ^_^ And their performance also held significance since it alluded to the historic fall of the Berlin Wall. In addition to that, they won the award for the Best Group. I definitely think that their feats deserve to be mentioned. ^_^
- Posted By Alpaca Mom
11.07.09 12:28 AM
You probably know by now that Tokio Hotel has a legion of faithful fans that enjoy their music, as evidenced by the numerous comments here. And not all their fans are teenagers, eiher! Maybe another article giving them their due might be in order? That might go a long way to helping soothe some irate fans!
- Posted By Incandesent
11.07.09 12:58 AM
I liked the article, but am annoyed at how Tokio Hotel was not even mentioned. Nor Silberbond. The two German Artists at the award show held in Berlin. Tokio Hotel's performance didn't nor shouldn't go unnoticed. They took a song and gave it a new meaning, and were able to perform it stripped down as well as over the top.
I expected an article about the European Music Awards to mention more Europe born acts, especially ones who have gained not just followings, but stardom in other countries.
- Posted By Phoenix120
11.07.09 1:50 AM
Best of Spin Magazine Online's EMA review:
The Best:
Pointing out that Green Day have become stuck in time. Totally agree.The Worst:
Completely missing out one of the highlights of the show, Tokio Hotel's superb and touching performance, followed by their Best Group win. Kind of important, considering both the location and the event being celebrated.The So-So:
Incorrectly classifying Katy Perry as "so-so" instead of "worst". I cringed whenever she appeared onscreen.
1
11.06.09 2:03 PM
Amazing how you managed to not even mention the incredible pyro-laced performance by Tokio Hotel, one of the few actual European acts nonimated or performing. And they won Best Group! Biased much? This show was celebrating the 20-year anniversary of the fall of the wall and you can't manage one sentence to mention the only German band participating in the show? They've managed to break beyond its borders to have true international success (and by that, I mean the many countries that make up Europe, as well as South America, Canada, parts of the middle East and Asia, etc....America is not the only music scene in the world), which is an incredible rarity.
Oh, and Katy Perry was not so-so. She was god awful. I've never seen a more boring host trying so hard to be all the things she's not (cute, funny, sexy). Great performances by Green Day, Foo Fighters and Leona Lewis. Fully agreed that Shakira's performance was pretty bad.