The 2010 MTV Video Music Awards are fast approaching, which means that in only a few weeks you'll be treated to an excellent night of performances and appearances by the likes of Eminem, Kanye West, Justin Bieber, Drake, Florence and the Machine, B.o.B and Deadmau5 (who will serve as the house DJ at the show). While people tend to remember the classic performances and the unhinged moments, the coveted Moonman is the reason why people show up and tune in. This year, there are 16 categories wherein some of the biggest music stars in the universe will compete for the coolest trophy in awards shows. Today, we take a look at the nominees in the Best Rock Video category.
Now that we've looked at all the technical categories, it's time to take a look at the more artist-centric Moonmen that will be given out when the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards go live on Sunday, September 12. The Best Rock Video category is reserved for the biggest, loudest, guitar-iest clips of the year, and this year's nominees all represent the rock world well. Paramore ("Ignorance"), Muse ("Uprising"), MGMT ("Flash Delirium"), Florence and the Machine ("Dog Days Are Over") and 30 Seconds to Mars ("Kings and Queens") each represent a different color in the rock spectrum, but they all make a solid case for rock dominance on the show.
A look down the past winners of Best Rock Video reads like a list of MTV All-Stars. There's Green Day (who won for "21 Guns" in 2009 and "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" in 2005), Linkin Park ("Somewhere I Belong" in 2003, "In the End" in 2002), Metallica ("Until It Sleeps" in 1996 and "Enter Sandman" in 1992), Aerosmith (four wins, including "Janie's Got a Gun," "The Other Side," "Pink" and "Falling in Love (Is Hard on the Knees)") and Guns N' Roses (for "Sweet Child O' Mine" in 1989). None of this year's nominees have won before, though this isn't the first category nomination for 30 Seconds to Mars (who were nominated for "The Kill" in 2006) or Paramore (who were nominated for "Crushcrushcrush" in 2008 and "Decode" in 2009). The best money is on Paramore, who should make the third time the charm.
Who will be judged rockingest of all the rock videos this year? There's only one way to find out.
The 27th annual MTV Video Music Awards will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on September 12 at 9 p.m. ET.