MTV went way more pop and mainstream this year, leaving out most alternative rock artists
MTV has just published the list of nominees for the 2019 European Music Awards, and what do we see? Clearly, on the pop side the majority of awards will be going to Ariana Grande (7 nominations) and Billie Eilish (6). But what’s the situation on the rock front?
Well, this year MTV seems to favor the good old favorites, without any nod to successful up-and-rising rock bands. The Best Rock category is represented by Green Day, Imagine Dragons, Liam Gallagher, Panic! At The Disco, and the 1975. Not too different from last year, is it?
The last two are also nominated in one other category. Namely, The 1975 will be competing for Best World Stage for their performances at the 2019 Lollapalooza Paris Festival, along with Muse. And Panic! At The Disco are also MTV nominees in the Best Video field, where we find Taylor Swift ft. Brendon Urie’s pink-driven clip “ME!”
More: Watch Dave Grohl Perform The Beatles’ ‘Blackbird’ at Oscars
Now, why did we conclude that MTV is “economical” with rockers this year? The thing is, this time EMAs seem to be limiting rock and alternative artists pretty much to one category – Best Rock, while at 2018 EMAs, for example, in the Best Alternative category we saw Fall Out Boy, The 1975, Thirty Seconds to Mars and more. Who’s in the alternative category now? The list goes… Lana del Rey, Solange, FKA Twigs… Quite a contrast!
As for “ladies of rock”, Avril Lavigne is nominated for Best Canadian Act, as she’s been highly active musically this year. Or will she outdo Shawn Mendes in the same nomination? Let’s wait and see.
The 2019 MTV EMAs will take place on November 3 in Seville, Spain. Check out the list of nominees in the categories, featuring rock artists, below. For full nominees’ lists in all genres go here.
What do you think: who did the MTV panel forget about when making the list? What rock bands did their best this year? Don’t miss on the news about your favorite rock bands – join us on AlteRock Facebook and AlteRock Twitter right now!
Best Rock
Green Day
Imagine Dragons
Liam Gallagher
Panic! At The Disco
Best World Stage
Bebe Rexha Isle of MTV Malta 2019
Hailee Steinfeld Isle of MTV Malta 2018
Muse Bilbao, Spain 2018
The 1975 Lollapalooza Paris Festival 2019
twenty one pilots Lollapalooza Paris Festival 2019
Best Alternative
FKA Twigs
Lana Del Rey
Solange
twenty one pilots
Vampire Weekend
Best Video
Ariana Grande, “thank u, next“
Billie Eilish, “Bad guy“
Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus, “Old Town Road” (Remix)
Rosalia, J Balvin ft. El Guincho, “Con Altura”
Taylor Swift ft. Brendon Urie of Panic! At The Disco. “ME!”
