Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong and Mike Dirnt
Photo: Bryan Bedder/ Getty Images

The 37th annual American Music Awards have lined up a few more acts to take the stage at the show on November 22. Green Day, Shakira, and Mary J. Blige have joined the performers list, which includes Rihanna, Jay-Z and Adam Lambert, to name a few, for the awards show that will air live on ABC.

"We're very excited about having Green Day, Rihanna, Shakira, Mary J. Blige and Keith Urban all performing on one stage," AMAs producer Larry Klein said in a statement. "Each year, we try to have a variety of artists and sounds, and I think these performers really showcase the depth of what this show brings to its fans."

	2009 American Music Award Performers

The night's other big performers include Lady Gaga, Eminem, Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Daughtry, Jennifer Lopez, Alicia Keys and the Black Eyed Peas.

The awards show will feature an array of nominees determined by data from Nielsen SoundScan radio and retail figures, with Taylor Swift in the lead with six nominations, followed by Eminem and the late Michael Jackson at five apiece. Though Jackson had not released new material for nearly a decade at the time of his passing, his nominations are based on the strong sales of his catalog albums following his death.

Swift's nominations include Artist of the Year, Favorite Country Album (for Fearless), Favorite Female Pop or Rock Artist and Favorite Female Country Artist. MJ was also recognized in the Pop or Rock Artist of the Year category, Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist and Favorite Soul/R&B Album (for Number Ones). Em's nominations include Artist of the Year; Favorite Male Pop or Rock Artist; Favorite Male Rap/Hip-Hop Artist and Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album (for Relapse).

Other multiple-category nominees include Lady Gaga, T.I., Kings of Leon, Beyoncé and the Peas, who all have three. For the third year, winners will be determined by online voting.

• 2009 American Music Awards Performers

• Green Day
• Shakira
• Mary J. Blige

Beyoncé accepts an award at the EMAs
Photo: Jeff Kravitz/ Getty Images

Bowler caps, bow ties, corsets, crystals, "boobie thingies" — no, these are not the remnants of last weekend's Halloween rave but rather the accoutrements returning host Katy Perry flounced around in at this year's MTV Europe Music Awards. Together with the theme "Katy Kat Club," the Sally Bowles-inspired garb was only appropriate as the 16th annual EMAs returned to its inaugural location of Berlin, just days before the 20th anniversary of when the Berlin wall came tumbling down.

Jay-Z, Beyoncé, U2, Tokio Hotel, Leona Lewis, David Hasselhoff, Juliette Lewis, Shakira, the Jonas Brothers and Tokio Hotel were just some of the stars that turned up on the red carpet to commence the largest awards show in MTV Europe's history. A staggering 17,000 audience members congregated at Berlin's O2 Arena and Brandenburg Gate, while an estimated 2 billion people tuned in from home.

It was a night contrasted by both the old and new, bad jokes on the German language and crackling political overtones. Veteran act Green Day opened up the show with a blistering two-song performance that had lead singer Billie Joe pogoing his way through the crowd and ending in shooting flames and fireworks as "Minority" slowed to its last four-note chord. (Proving why the group was once synonymous with teenage angst, Joe later returned to the stage after winning for Best Rock with these wise words: "Great that we got the best co-- band — I mean, rock band. Pardon my German.")

A slithering and glittering Katy Perry then took the stage, bellowing out "Herzlich wilkommen meine damen und herren!" and performed a raw-vocal medley that included the Black Eyed Peas' "I Gotta Feeling" and Lady Gaga's "Poker Face." Curiously, Perry then ribbed Lady Gaga later during the show when she emerged from a set design involving a giant ruby-red shoe. "They say that if a guy has big shoes, then he has ... the funny thing is, I think this belongs to Lady Gaga!"

The first award of the night went to U2 for Best Live Act. Taking the stage, Bono introduced the Edge, who in an emotional speech expressed how the recording of "One" in Berlin — inspired by Germany's then-recent reunification and symbol as the new Europe — "brought the band together." More East/West references abounded. Upon winning the award for Best Urban, Jay-Z, donning sunglasses and a black leather jacket, succinctly said, "The will come a day when the only walls that come down are just music," then said something about the Jonas Brothers.

Both Lady Gaga (Best New Act) and Eminem (Best Male) accepted their awards remotely through televised acceptance speeches.

	EMA 2009 Show Highlights

And what is an awards show in Germany without the Hoff? Clad in a dazzling chrome silver dinner jacket, David Hasselhoff returned the country's seemingly undying love for him by flashing his select knowledge of the native language. "Yo! Twenty years! Alles klar! I am not responsible for the wall falling down," the former "Baywatch" actor announced with an apparent slur. "Wie gehts? Alles klar! Gut!"

But it was three-time winner Beyoncé (Best Song, "Halo"; Best Female; Best Video, "Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)") who had the best line of the night. Having performed earlier in a silken red set straight out of a Daphne du Maurier novel, the visibly weary singer simply said upon receiving her final award: "There is one person I want to thank, and that is Jay — for putting a ring on it!" then shot her fist into the air to loud cheers. "You go, B!" Katy Perry shouted from the sidelines.

Despite other spirited performances from Jay-Z, Shakira and overwhelmingly popular local androgynoids Tokio Hotel, the true stage spectacle of the night came from Leona Lewis. What started off as a rather standard rendition of "Happy," set against a starry background, experienced a jaw-dropping special effect as a green vortex whirred around the singer then dramatically vanished into glittering stardust.

In the much-publicized highlight of the evening, Dublin rockers U2 performed a free 20-minute set in front of the historic Brandenburg Gate for the rabid 10,000 fans who had secured a spot online. Shot several hours earlier and beamed into the arena, the concert moved the audience even remotely as the giant pillars were emblazoned with the words "One Love" and "Freedom." "Happy birthday, Berlin!" frontman Bono crowed during a performance of "One," his voice both soaring and sage.

U2 returned to the big screen to close out the show, this time with Jay-Z freestyling over a performance of "Sunday Bloody Sunday." Jay-Z rapped in the lyrics from Bob Marley's "Get Up, Stand Up." The gates behind them lit up in the holiday colors of green and red, like an early present. Bono leaned in to hold to Jay-Z's hand as the duo raised them up triumphantly in the air.

• EMA 2009 | The Entire Show On Demand
• EMA 2009 | Red Carpet Report With Joss Stone And Joko Winterscheidt

• EMA 2009 | Show Highlights
• EMA 2009 | Full Fashion Recap

• Beyoncé
• U2
• Jay-Z
• Green Day
• Tokio Hotel

Tokio Hotel arrive at the EMAs on Thursday
Photo: Ian Gavan/ Getty Images

If silver rocked the VMA red carpet, then black definitely ruled the MTV Europe Music Awards red carpet on Thursday (November 5). A galaxy of stars rocked the red carpet of the show, which was held in Berlin to honor the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

The night's host, Katy Perry, may have donned a white gown on the red carpet, but it was the lacy black detailing that gave it that vintage Perry charm. Green Day went more formal than punk for the red carpet in their slim-fit suits, all of which were in shades of black or dark gray.

	2009 EMA Red Carpet Fashions

Pete Wentz also wore a black suit to the show, and he embellished his with a newsboy cap. His big fashion statement, however, was a cat-eye shaped black eye he drew on, using makeup.

Leona Lewis also wore black. She turned up in a one-piece, capri-length romper with sparkles on its bottom half. Nickelodeon star Miranda Cosgrove wore a blue-and-black-printed, one-shoulder, sequined minidress. Much like Cosgrove, the look was very young and hip.

The standout fashionistas of the show had to be Tokio Hotel, who surprisingly went for a more couture, mod look than their usual glam rock fashion choices. Bill Kaulitz, rocking a fantastic Mohawk, wore a slim-fitted blazer with sequined pockets and paired it with gray very skinny jeans. The other boys in the group decided to go with function instead of fashion and rocked their dark-colored winter jackets on the carpet.

• EMA 2009 | Red Carpet Report With Joss Stone And Joko Winterscheidt

• EMA 2009 | Full Fashion Recap
• EMA 2009 | Show Highlights

• Tokio Hotel
• Katy Perry
• Green Day

Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong performs during the 2009 EMAs on Thursday in Berlin, Germany
Photo: Gareth Cattermole/ Getty Images

The 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards kicked off with plenty of pyro, tons of crunching chords and a nearly exposed backside — all courtesy of Green Day.

The iconic East Bay punks pulled the curtain at the 2009 EMAs, but they hardly seemed like an opening act, shredding their way through a fiery, feisty performance that had the Berlin crowd in hysterics. Billie Joe Armstrong and company tore right into "Know Your Enemy" from 21st Century Breakdown, chugging through chords as flames exploded behind them. Midway through the song, Armstrong strode into the crowd, pounding on his guitar (and nearly losing his pants in the process), did a victory lap, then returned to the stage just as his Green Day mates launched headlong into "Minority," from 2000's Warning.

It was a similar move to the one they pulled during rehearsals for the MTV Video Music Awards back in September, when they treated an audience of stagehands and techs to a ripping, career-spanning mini-concert of their hits.

Like in New York, the effect was palpable: The EMA audience quickly went into overdrive, pogo-ing and shouting along furiously. In keeping with the live vibe, Green Day took the opportunity to stretch the song into an impromptu jam, adding an accordion to the mix and trading licks. Armstrong egged the crowd on with "Oy! Oy!" chants, and once again, it responded with a vengeance.

And then it all wrapped up in a fiery crescendo (literally, the stage was engulfed in a wall of flames) and the crowd cheered lustily. The 2009 EMAs were officially under way — but they're gonna have to work really hard to top the opening act.

• Green Day

Kid Cudi
Photo: MTV News

Kid Cudi went from mixtape phenom to the upper echelons of the Billboard albums chart in little over a year, so it's no surprise he wants to keep the ball rolling. What is a surprise is who he wants to keep it rolling with.

We already know he's hard at work on projects with rapper Chip Tha Ripper and Brooklyn electro duo Ratatat, but backstage at this past weekend's Ulalume Music Festival in Columbia, Maryland, he revealed details of another album, a compilation disc he's dubbed Cudder. And he's aiming extra high on this one.

"Cudder is basically an album of me working with artists that have inspired me or artists that have helped me grow and people who I've always admired," Cudi said. "So far, we've got Snoop, Travis Barker — trying to get Green Day onboard, hopefully, Kings of Leon, hopefully. I'm really trying to do all the collabs that I couldn't do for the [Man on the Moon] album, and then some, because the album was so themed that I had to strip a lot of features. We're going to have the Clipse on this compilation, Robin Thicke, hopefully we're going to get in the studio, I just did a record for his upcoming album; it's amazing."

Cudi said he's aiming to have Cudder out by "summertime at the latest," and while the idea of him working with, say, Billie Joe Armstrong might seem a bit odd, he points to Moon tracks like "Pursuit of Happiness" (his collaboration with Ratatat and MGMT) as proof that he can pull it off and as a possible preview of how the song might turn out.

"On the Ratatat song, you can hear Ratatat and you can hear me; we don't compromise each other. That's the same thing I want to do with anybody I work with. ... I don't want it to be, like, a Green Day song with me rapping over it," he said. "What I want to do is, have the triangle effect. Have Green Day involved and have them co-produce with someone like a Ratatat or my producers, do like a joint thing, and then we all create from the ground up. That way, it's like a fusion of each sound and each inspiration."

• MTV News Extended Play: Ulalume Edition

• MTV.com Exclusive: Kid Cudi

• Kid Cudi
• Green Day
• Kings Of Leon

Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong
Photo: MTV News

Last week saw the debut of "American Idiot," the musical based on characters from Green Day's multi-platinum 2004 rock opera of the same name. The show, which contains all the songs from American Idiot, as well as a handful of tunes from the band's most recent album, 21st Century Breakdown, is directed by Michael Mayer, the mind behind the Tony-winning rock hit "Spring Awakening."

Though the band obviously came from a punk background, the inspiration for "American Idiot" is a little more classic. "Outside of the Who, no one has really gone in that direction before," Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong told MTV News while hanging out backstage at rehearsals for the MTV Video Music Awards. "Just to even say that we're doing the same thing that the Who was doing, it's just uncharted territory."

He's also been blown away by the way the show has come together, and by the talent of the people working on it. "Michael Mayer is great; the cast is great," Armstrong said. "They're really passionate as artists. They put everything they possibly can into it. They're not trying to make it big and Hollywood. They're artists, and that's the most inspiring thing."

The play, staged at the Berkeley Repertory Theater (just a stone's throw away from 924 Gilman Street, the club where the band got its start 20 years ago), will run through November 1, and they hope they can keep it alive and bring it to Broadway. But even if this is as far as it goes, the band is "beyond satisfied" with the results. "We didn't know what to expect," Armstrong said. "The way that the vocal arrangements are coming out, the band sounds good. It's kind of like going to your own funeral. It's great!"

• Green Day

Lady Gaga attends her VMA after party at Avenue in New York City on Sunday
Photo: Amy Sussman/ Getty Images

NEW YORK — How many outfits did Lady Gaga have for Sunday night anyway? After keeping the audience at Radio City Music Hall and at home guessing what she was going to wear next on the VMA stage, the singer made one more costume change after the show and arrived at her Interscope Records party at Avenue dressed like a bride.

Gaga, who was in all white, took off a veil that covered her face and threw it to some fans. Also at the party were Perez Hilton, Katy Perry, Russell Brand, Diddy, Akon, Keri Hilson, Kim Kardashian, Nicky Hilton, Polow Da Don and Soulja Boy Tell'em, who got cozy with Teyana Taylor.

	2009 Video Music Awards Afterparties

Meanwhile, another industry powerhouse, the Warner Music Group, held a party at Abe & Arthur's. DJ D-Nice kept the energy up with his spins for a crowd that included Green Day, Sean Garrett, Gabrielle Union, Maino and DJ Premier. Premier wore a T-shirt that had a photo of himself and DJ AM on the front. Diddy was also present, but he later made his way over to NYC hot spot 1 Oak.

Outside of 1 Oak, some eyewitnesses reported a huge verbal confrontation with Diddy and his crew and some police officers and security. Everything simmered down and the Diddy eventually made it into the club. He indirectly touched on the situation via Twitter, saying everyone needs to respect each other.

Inside, Kim Kardashian, Cassie, Kimora Lee Simmons and husband Djimon Hounsou could be seen in the VIP section. Jay-Z and Rihanna sat the same table with their respective crews. Most of the table — and the rest of the club — sang along to Alicia Keys' chorus when the DJ played "Empire State of Mind," the moving song she and Jay closed the VMAs with just hours before.

The 2009 MTV Video Music Awards may have wrapped, but the party is far from over. Stay tuned for behind-the-scenes updates, party reports and much more.

• The 2009 VMAs In 60 Seconds
• VMA 2009: Most Talked-About Moments
• VMA 2009: The Entire Show On Demand

• Lady Gaga, Perez Hilton, Kristin Cavallari Hit Up The 2009 Video Music Awards Afterparties
• VMA 2009: Behind The Scenes

• Lady Gaga
• Diddy
• Jay-Z
• Green Day
• Rihanna

Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong performs at the 2009 Video Music Awards on Sunday
Photo: Christopher Polk/ Getty Images

The buzz of the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards certainly surrounds Kanye West and Taylor Swift, but the big headlines from the rock world all belong to Green Day, who took home three awards (Best Rock Video, Best Direction and Best Cinematography) for their clip for "21 Guns," and they also delivered a triumphant, raucous performance of "East Jesus Nowhere" (where they welcomed a massive throng of fans onto the stage to rock with them during the tune's finale).

MTV News was tagging along with the band all throughout the evening, including the moments just before they hit the stage for their show-stealing performance. "It's always a little nerve-racking and fun," bass player Mike Dirnt said. "That the fans vote for it — that's the important thing." Dirnt also said that he enjoyed playing around with Jack Black's giant battle ax while frontman Billie Joe Armstrong gave the acceptance speech for Best Rock Video.

After chatting briefly, he hit the stage with his bandmates and made sure to slap hands with some fans before they were given the cue to go live. What followed is what you saw on the broadcast: Green Day storming into "East Jesus Nowhere." As the behind-the-scenes video reveals, drummer Tre Cool was also integral in bringing the fans onto the stage — a stage that was definitely full by the time the band wrapped up the song with Armstrong being held aloft by the throng.

Following the performance, the band was whisked backstage and greeted by people who declared that the band had "nailed it," and perhaps no truer words were spoken all night.

The 2009 MTV Video Music Awards might have wrapped, but the party is far from over. Stay tuned for behind-the-scenes updates, party reports and much more.

• VMA Performer Diary: Green Day
• VMA 2009: Performances
• VMA 2009: The Entire Show On Demand

• VMA 2009: Show Highlights

• Green Day

Lady Gaga performs at the 2009 Video Music Awards on Sunday
Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage

NEW YORK — When imagining the best seat in the house for the 2009 VMAs, you might picture being nestled somewhere in the first five rows, maybe in between Beyoncé and Katy Perry. But this year, the best seat in the house was right in the middle of the madness: in the sweaty, fan-filled pit, which felt more like a VIP section.

After we were led to our spots, the show began with Madonna's heartfelt tribute to Michael Jackson. Then, a group of dancers, adorned in sequins and fedoras, kicked off the show, creeping up from the pit and emerging onto the stage in a plume of dry ice. After a medley of Michael Jackson songs accompanied by their respective videos on the enormous LCD screen behind the stage, the dancers were joined by Janet Jackson, who emerged from underneath the stage like a leather-clad goddess. "I can't believe how close she is," one fan whispered to another as Janet shot down the runway, launching into "Scream," her and Michael's collaboration from the '90s. The fans in the pit swooned, still not believing they were so close to the action.

We'd been told that Lady Gaga's performance would be "insane," and that warning only added to the excitement. Danny Alvarado of Hartford, Connecticut, was anticipating Gaga all evening, and she did not disappoint. "She was amazing. I'm speechless," he said, clutching a pearl that came loose from her white-corseted ensemble. In fact, it was almost impossible to find a fan that was less than impressed Gaga's set. "She is so unique. Just amazing. She reminded me of Madonna," said Mari Piccirillo from New York's Staten Island.

Green Day brought the rock to the VMAs this year, with a hard-hitting performance filled with pyrotechnics and a salute to their fans, as they ended their set by demanding that everyone join them. Michael Piccirillo, also from Staten Island, was thrilled to join one of his favorite bands on the VMA stage. "Being up there with Green Day was the best feeling ever!" he raved. "They interact with everyone."

Of course, Jay-Z and Alicia Keys closed out the show with tremendous energy, paying homage to New York with an electrifying performance of "Empire State of Mind." "Alicia was gorgeous and Jay Z held it down as always," said Jenica Vaid from New Jersey.

By the end of the night, fans were hot, achy and dehydrated. Rachel Agosto, also of Hartford, said she had waited seven hours just to get in the doors of Radio City. She was complaining of a headache and was having trouble standing by the end of the show.

But when asked if she'd rather have been in a comfortable seat in the audience, she answered without hesitation: "No way — this was the best!"

The 2009 MTV Video Music Awards might have wrapped, but the party is far from over. Stay tuned for behind-the-scenes updates, party reports and much more.

• VMA 2009: Performances
• VMA 2009: The Entire Show On Demand

• VMA 2009: Full Fashion Recap
• Unforgettable 2009 VMA Arrivals
• VMA 2009: Show Highlights

• Lady Gaga
• Jay-Z
• Green Day

Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong backstage at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Saturday
Photo: MTV News

At tonight's MTV Video Music Awards, Janet Jackson will pay tribute to her late brother's musical legacy, and among the Michael Jackson fans whose eyes will be glued to the stage will be Green Day, who've been paying their respects to the King of Pop on a nightly basis.

"I think one thing that people have to recognize is the fact that he had Eddie Van Halen play on a song when those were two worlds that never collided before. I think this was before Run-DMC and Aerosmith came together," Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong said, noting Jackson's ability to reach across many musical genres. "I remember being in the fifth grade when Thriller came out, and Off the Wall is a great record. ... We've been playing a song off it for our pre-show every night."

On every stop on their 21st Century Breakdown tour, Green Day pump MJ's disco classic "Don't Stop Till You Get Enough" through the house speakers, partially to fire up the crowd, and partially to pay tribute to Jackson's legacy. To them, the length of his career is an inspiration, one that they feel their contemporaries should take note of.

"I think [his] longevity is the thing. There's a lot of hip-hop artists who seem to go straight for the big success," Armstrong said. "It's about building a career and staying on it, but also about being able to ride the roller coaster of a career, because you have downs, you have ups. It's kind of the same for everybody. If you're playing Madison Square Garden or you're playing Bowery Ballroom, you have to hold on and see where they music takes you."

So, even though Green Day are also performing at the VMAs, they also can't wait to see what Janet, and a team of world-famous choreographers, will do to honor the man who helped put MTV on the map.

"It was almost MJTV and not MTV for a while," Armstrong laughed.

Watch the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards Preshow this Sunday, September 13, at 8 p.m. ET, followed by the big event, live at 9 p.m. Check out our interactive map of New York to see how the city is celebrating the VMAs all week long, and stay tuned for party coverage, concert reports, behind-the-scenes updates and more.

• Green Day Take VMA Rehearsal To The Next Level
• The 2009 VMAs Are Taking Over NYC!

• VMA 2009: Performance Rehearsals
• "Michael Jackson's This Is It"

• Green Day
• Michael Jackson

Woodie Awards 2009 Nominees

• 3Oh!3
• Alicia Keys
• Amanda Blank
• Animal Collective
• Anjulie

2009 American Music Awards Performers

• Green Day
• Shakira
• Rihanna
• Eminem
• Jay-Z

Who Are The Landmarks Of The VMAs?

• Britney Spears
• Lady Gaga
• Jay-Z
• Lil Wayne
• Beyoncé

2009 VMA Nominees

• Yeah Yeah Yeahs
• Green Day
• Kings Of Leon
• Paramore
• Fall Out Boy

2009 VMA Performers And Presenters Announced

• Jay-Z
• Muse
• Lady Gaga
• Green Day
• Taylor Swift

Green Day Bring The 21st Century Breakdown Tour To Madison Square Garden

• Green Day

Green Day Live At The Palace Of Auburn Hills In Michigan

• Green Day
• The Bravery

Green Day Rock NYC At MySpace Show

• Green Day

The 2007 MTV Video Music Award Nominees

• Beyoncé
• Justin Timberlake
• Shakira
• Amy Winehouse
• Kanye West

Best of 2006: Backstage & Party Moments

• Fall Out Boy
• P!nk
• Kanye West
• Busta Rhymes
• Hype Williams