The MTV Video Music Awards, or VMAs, have always done things a little differently. Since 1984, the ceremony has handed out astronaut-shaped trophies for the year’s best music videos. It’s a big pop knees-up where subtlety is left at the door. At last night’s ceremony, Chappell Roan, who won best new artist, performed “Good Luck, Babe” dressed in a full suit of armor, carrying a crossbow with a flaming arrow which then set fire to much of the stage. Behind her, backup dancers dressed as medieval knights did elaborate choreography with swords. (Backup dancers in weird costumes were very much the theme of the evening.)
Sabrina Carpenter did a medley of her recent hits from a glittery swing chair, and then on a moonscape covered in dry ice, while she danced with an astronaut and an alien. More astronauts came on to breakdance during “Espresso”. Katy Perry took a night off from the halting rollout of her new album to accept the Video Vanguard award, MTV’s lifetime-achievement trophy, and perform a bonkers medley of past hits, which incorporated a pair of blow-up silver wings, and a stage setup with what looked like an interdimensional portal.
The event was saturated with the highest of high camp. This made a change from the past—the VMAs used to be bro-y, testosterone-fuelled and even violent. In 1989, Mötley Crüe singer Vince Neil assaulted Guns N’ Roses guitarist Izzy Stradlin. In 1992, Axl Rose challenged Kurt Cobain to a fight backstage; afterwards, Cobain spat on the keys of a piano he thought was about to be played by Rose, but which turned out to be for Elton John. In 2000, Rage Against the Machine bassist Tim Commerford climbed up some scaffolding to try and interrupt Limp Bizkit being awarded best rock video.
And, of course, in 2009, Kanye West rushed on stage while Taylor Swift was accepting an award to declare: “Imma let you finish, but Beyoncé had one of the best videos of all time.”
