• Culture
  • 08 Jun 21

2021 MTV VMAs will return to New York with a live audience

2021 MTV VMAs will return to New York with a live audience
Ellen Gough
Ellen Gough

The 2020 VMAs had a mixture of outdoor, pre-recorded and remote performances without a live audience as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) will go ahead in front of a live audience again in September this year.

The 2021 VMAs will take place on September 12th at the Barclays Center in New York City, the original venue for last year's awards.

The venue's current health and safety protocols include separate seating areas for vaccinated and non-vaccinated guests, with additional specific protocols to be announced closer to the event.

The 2020 VMAs took place in several outdoor locations around New York without an audience due to Covid-19. It also featured a number of remote and pre-recorded appearances.

This year's awards show will see the return of a live audience, and will feature "performances from some of music’s biggest stars and celebrate the return of live entertainment".

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In a statement, MTV said: "The health and safety of artists, fans, staff, and partners remain the number one priority, and MTV and Barclays Center are working closely with state and local officials to implement best practices in order to safely bring together music fans from around the globe".

Details of nominees, presenters and performers for this year have not yet been announced.

MTV are also working with the organisers of 9/11 Day for a series of events during the week leading up to the VMAs in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on September 11, 2021.

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