SW exclusive: attending the AMAs

image: Getty North America

This Sunday, I attended the American Music Awards.  Unlike the Grammys, where the winners are chosen by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences based on technical and artistic achievements,  the AMAs are awarded based on fan votes, which made for a big night for Justin Bieber and his fans (or "Beliebers").  

I arrived at Nokia Center for the event after contemplating how to interpret the dress code, described simply as "fabulously chic."  I chose a black Diane von Furstenberg cocktail dress.  Ke$ha, however, chose a long black dress made out of VHS tape. (pictured left)

After Ke$ha was carefully brought to her seat by escorts (note to self: VHS tape dresses not so practical for walking) the show opened with Rihanna sitting in a tree in an illuminated forest.  I've always liked Rihanna, and she really won the crowd (and me!) over with a great-sounding medley of her hits including "Only Girl In The World."

Later, Taylor Swift sang her latest "Back to December," which she mashed up with a cover of a One Republic song.  Her delivery of "It's too late to apologize" seemed pointed at Kanye West.  (Perhaps his recent song telling her he was "sorry" for interrupting her acceptance speech at the VMAs did not have the desired effect.) 

image: Getty North AmericaI was pleasantly surprised by Diddy, who gave a great performance of "Coming Home" with Diddy Dirty Money.  I also liked Usher's medley performance and Santana on guitar with Gavin Rossdale (who was still hot enough to stop me in my tracks when he passed me and smiled).  A little more rock would have been nice, but Bon Jovi was fun and Train, a San Francisco band, did a great version of "Hey Soul Sister" complete with dancers running down the aisles.  Somehow lead singer Patrick Monahan managed to pull this off in a pair of gold sequined pants.  True rock star.

Other performance highlights included Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Pink, and Christina Aguilera.  Justin Bieber beat Eminem, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Usher for Artist of the Year.  In a sweet moment even for non-Beliebers, the Biebs invited his mentor Usher onstage to share the award with him.

But really, in my admittedly biased opinion, the night was all about NKOTBSB.  The newly formed supergroup comprised of members of New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys was scheduled to close the show, and massive screams came from the mezzanine every time their names were mentioned.  (Confirmed: women in the 20s and 30s have bigger lungs - and more disposable income - than Justin Bieber fans.) 

The performance, which has been well-reviewed by industry critics, included mashed up hits by both groups and included great choreography with a healthy amount of crotch grabbing. ( Sidenote: It was fun to look around the audience and see which celebrities were  singing along to NKOTB and Backstreet.  Ke$ha and Project Runway cast, I'm looking at you!) 

As the performance came to an end and the cameras went off air  the members of NKOTB shared a group hug on the elevated stage and the audience rose to give the guys a standing ovation.  As both a NKOTB fan, and a pop music lover the moment was one I will remember forever, and  it was the perfect ending to a great night.

To experience a little of the  NKOTBSB performance for yourself, check out the video below.