There has so many been highlights this year, that it would simply be to much to mention them all. Christina Aguilera as the host for the show is already a statement with a message. Fortune favours the brave as the 22 years old singer did the job as a moderator very well. Another significant issue had been several life performances as part of the show. In many cases the responsible folks at the entertainment departments at the TV station prefer play back sets when it comes to the appearance of pop stars at TV shows. Not so at MTV. It looks like it didn’t matter how much equipment the appearing artists needed for a perfect performance. For Dido it had been almost a complete classical orchestra, The Darkness needed their amplifier walls as every Metal act need to. Even if the backline requirements for White Stripes and Kraftwerk seem to be minimalistic, those of Pink and The Black Eyed Peas had been normal but due to production of live broadcasted event no less challenging. Travis, Kylie Minogue and Missy Elliot came up with additionally visual pieces like dancers, cornfields and masses of naked demonstrators. It understood itself that each artist received a unique light design, made to measure for a perfect performance of all involved artists. Taking this into account, the production crew managed to do a logistical firework that had been outstanding compared to many other TV shows.

But also the surroundings had been very well done and improve on acquaintance. It was the little extras that reveal that those who had been in charge for the event did a very good job. On the wristbands to get in to the EMAs it says “hospitality”. And indeed, the service for guests and other normal honourable participants had been exquisite. There was dinner provided before and after show. Well experienced EMA visitors know from the past, that it makes sense to serve them selves before entering the arena of Pop and were very surprised when there was even drinks served during the show. Edinburgh was the other issue. The audience was a smash hit themselves. It was a pleasure seeing the crowd enjoying the show and the security, compared to many other shows elsewhere in Europe, seemed very polite and relaxed.

And even if this had been not already enough, MTV did something which can not be seen in the music industry very often. As part of the past show (there had been a pre- and a past show instead of an ordinary after show party), MTV put up a Ska band and DJ in one of the floors at the Ocean Terminal where the pre and past party had been hold. This band did a very entertaining set and ensured that those who had been there didn’t want to leave the location until the show was over. It was one of the occasions, where visitors believe that they are attending a legendary show. Last time when all of a sudden Donavan appeared on stage and start playing harp and joining the band. The line up of the band speaks for itself and explains why this act was one of the very individual highlights that simply fit in as another piece in the mosaic of overall well organized event. The all star band consist of Neville Staple (The Specials) with Roddy Radiation - (The Specials) - Guitar, Rob Coates (Bad Manners, Session) – Drums, Andy Perriss (Bad Manners, Big 10, Session) – Guitar, Joe Atkinson (Flipron, Session) - Keyboards, Tim Vogt - (Dido, Skinny, Faithless, Session) – Bass, Warren Middleton (Bad Manners, The Beat) – Trombone, Chris Bull (Bad Manners, Big 10) - Trumpet and Andre Shapps (Big Audio Dynamite) on the turntables. The DJ before and after the live set was Jerry Dammers of The Specials.

Finally it had to said that the absence of some of the heavyweights in the record industry did not really matter and it had been suspected that most of them had been simply to busy with merger talks. However, MTV deserved at least to achieve four awards for themselves: one for choosing Edinburgh and getting such an audience, one for the production of the show, one for concept of this years overall EMAs and one for the hospitality.

Best Group: Coldplay
Best Song: Beyoncé featuring Jay-Z – Crazy In Love
Best Female: Christina Aguilera
Best Male: Justin Timberlake
Best Hip Hop: Eminem
Best New Act Sean Paul
Best R&B: Beyoncé
Best Album: Justin Timberlake - Justified
Best Dance: Punjabi MC
Best Rock: The White Stripes
Best Pop: Justin Timberlake
Best Video: Sigur Rós – Untitled 1
The Web Award: www.goldfrapp.co.uk
Free Your Mind Award: Aung San Suu Kyi
Best French Act: KYO
Best Dutch Act: Tiesto
Best Italian Act: Gemelli Diversi
Best Spanish Act: El Canto Del Loco
Best Polish Act: Myslovitz
Best German Act: Die Ärtze
Best Portuguese Act: Blind Zero
Best Russian Act: Gluc’;)oza
Best Romanian Act: AB4
Best Nordic Act: The Rasmus
Best MTV2 UK Act: The Darkness