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All attention turned to the Maihama Amphitheater in Chiba prefecture this evening as it took centerstage for the MTV Video Music Awards Japan 2014 (VMAJ 2014) for the first time, one of the biggest music award shows in Japan and in Asia, celebrating the best of both international and Japanese artists. MTV VMAJ 2014 winners were announced during the live awards show as fans witnessed EXILE take home their 5th award for Best Video of the Year, while Kyary Pamyu Pamyu won two MTV VMAJ awards for the second consecutive year. The chemistry between MTV VMAJ 2014 co-hosts powerhouse J-pop artists Sayumi Michishige (MORNING MUSUME ’14), T.M.Revolution and w-inds., brought the show together as the biggest winners of the night were named, together with a stellar line up of live performances and celebrity appearances, including an amazing performance by world renowned rock band, Coldplay.
Amongst the VMAJ 2014 winners named during one of the biggest music nights in Japan were Ariana Grande, Daichi Miura, E-girls, EXILE, Gen Hoshino, Kana Nishino, Lady Gaga, lecca, Miley Cyrus, Momoiro Clover Z, ONE OK ROCK, Perfume, SKY-HI and T.M. Revolution x Nana Mizuki. GLAY and EXILE HIRO were given the Inspiration Award Japan and Lifetime Achievement Award Japan respectively, both of whom were receiving their awards for the first time. Both Ariana Grande and Miley Cyrus were not at the awards show, but thanked their fans in Japan through video messages, with the latter doing ‘selfie’-style.
Computer Graphics superstar Hatsune Miku kicked off the music celebration, which was quickly followed by an electrifying dance-off by all 27 member of the E-girls with “E.G. Anthem – WE ARE VENUS”.
Coldplay wowed the audience with a spellbinding performance from Ghost Stories, the fastest selling album of 2014, backed by a projection of awe-inspiring imagery around the band, delivering an immersive blend of lasers, high-definition video, and dramatic staging. Opening with their lead single “Magic”, the emotionally engaging and contemplative rendition was set against a backdrop of an ocean calm atmosphere. Chris Martin continued to mesmerize fans as he broke into an acoustic guitar buildup in the middle of the song and hit all the high notes in the captivating piece.
This was followed by their energetic and uplifting performance of “A Sky Full of Stars”, part piano ballad and electronic dance music (EDM) track, mixed in with Coldplay’s signature sound, which featured their ‘ghost’ piano player. Their haunting performance was further illuminated by a starry atmospheric projection, which enchanted fans, especially when the song peaked into a breathtaking view of an explosion of psychedelic lasers and a shower of star-shaped confetti drizzling on fans, and Chris Martin bounced on his heels and sang with increased excitement, leaving fans in a daze for more.
Apart from Coldplay, the star-studded line-up included highly energized live performances by Japanese artists Berryz KOBO, E-girls, GLAY (“Yuwaku”, “BLEEZE”), HATSUNE MIKU, Kaela Kimura (“Real Life, Real Heart”, “OLE! OH!”, “Magic Music”), Kyaru Pamyu Pamyu (“Sunngoi Aura”, “Kira Kira Killer”) and Daichi Muira (“I’m On Fire”). The show also featured appearances by celebrities – funassyi, Chiaki Horan, Hyadain, Kemio, Tetsuya Komuro, Rev. from DVL, Ryo Ryusei, Kavka Shishido and So Takei who appeared as presenters. MATSU, USA and TAKAHIRO from EXILE also appeared on the Red Carpet and were present at the show to receive the award on behalf of the group.
The co-hosts for this year’s show also contributed stunning acts including Sayumi Michishige who sang and danced a sizzling set comprising of “cha cha SING” and “Love Is Always Inside You” with the seven-member girl group, Berryz KOBO; w-inds. performed “Make You Mine”; and wrapping up this year’s VMAJ, T.M. Revolution with “Phantom Pain”.
Paying tribute to the world of music video, MTV VMAJ winners are decided by the viewers and music fans who can vote for either Japanese or international artists nominated in the same category.
MTV VMAJ 2014 will broadcast live on MTV Japan on Saturday, 14 June, 6.00pm (Tokyo time) and MTV Asia will run a same-day telecast of the show on Saturday June 14, 7.00pm (WIB), 8.00pm (SIN/HK) and 9.00pm (MAL). MTV channels in Korea, China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand and J-One operated by MTV France will bring the show on-air as well, with potential viewership expected to reach over fifty million households. MTV VMAJ 2014 is also set to telecast globally through MTV World Stage, MTV’s global live-music franchise. Additionally, this year’s VMAJ opened to the global online community as the show streamed live* throughout the main show at the show’s official website http://VMAJ.JP.
SPONSORSHIP:
The special sponsors of MTV VMAJ 2014 are DAIICHIKOSHO CO., LTD., Sunstar Inc. and Microsoft Japan Co., Ltd. The digital media partner of MTV VMAJ 2014 is GyaO Corporation. Additionally, MTV VMAJ 2014 is supported by J-LOP (The Government Subsidy for Localization & Promotion of Japanese Content).
MTV VMAJ 2014 Winners
- Best Male Video: EXILE ATSUSHI – “Blue Dragon”
- Best Female Video: Miley Cyrus – “We Can’t Stop”
- Best Group Video: Momoiro Clover Z – “GOUNN”
- Best New Artist Video: Ariana Grande – “Baby I”
- Best Video of the Year: EXILE – “EXILE PRIDE ~ Konnasekaiwoaisurutame ~”
- Best Rock Video: ONE OK ROCK – “Be The Light”
- Best Pop Video: Lady Gaga – “Applause”
- Best R&B Video: Daichi Miura – “I’m On Fire”
- Best Hip Hop Video: SKY-HI – “AI BLOOM”
- Best Reggae Video: lecca – “Sky is the Limit feat. RHYMESTER”
- Best Dance Video: Perfume – “Magic of Love”
- Best Video from a Film: Gen Hoshino – “Why don’t you play in hell?”
- Best Collaboration Video: T.M. Revolution x Nana Mizuki – “Preserved Roses”
- Best Album of the Year: Kyary Pamyu Pamyu – “Nanda Collection”
- Best Karaokee! Song: Kyary Pamyu Pamyu – “Mottai-Nightland”
- Best Choreography: E-girls – “GOMENNASAI no Kissing You”
- Most Share-worthy Video: Kana Nishino – “Believe”
* Subject to availability where local markets have been given live streaming access.
About MTV Japan:
MTV is the world’s premier youth entertainment brand.With a global reach of more than a half-billion households, MTV is the cultural home of the millennial generation, music fans and artists, and a pioneer in creating innovative programming for young people.MTV Japan launched on January 1, 2001 as a 24-hour channel offering a mixture of Japanese and international music content. MTV connects with its audiences through multi-platforms that include television, online and mobile phones to offer a complete experience of music and youth entertainment and is seen in about seven million cable and satellite households.Outside of the United States, MTV is part of Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN), a division of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.
About Viacom International Media Networks:
Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN), a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), is comprised of many of the world’s most popular multimedia entertainment brands, including MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET, non-premium Paramount Pictures branded channels, VH1, VIVA, MTVHD, COLORS, Game One and Tr3s: MTV, Música y Más, a channel for US Hispanic audiences. Viacom brands are seen globally in more than 600 million households in over 160 territories and 34 languages via more than 160 locally programmed and operated TV channels and more than 550 digital media and mobile TV properties.
