Credit: Jskotiphone, jared860

[x004] Creme Magazine (New Zealand) – Sep 2010

[...] We have run through 15 other categories, and the only one left is the big one: Video of the Year. Over the next few days (leading up to the actual VMA show this Sunday), we’ll take a look at each one of the Video of the Year nominees individually. Next up: 30 Seconds to Mars’ “Kings and Queens.” Shot by Bartholomew Cubbins (also known as 30 Seconds to Mars frontman Jared Leto), “Kings and Queens” is one of the few videos nominated for an award this year that doesn’t contain complicated special effects or wacky animation. Rather, “Kings and Queens” features little more than a small army of people riding around bicycles through abandoned streets in downtown Los Angeles, which sounds simple but is remarkably arresting. There’s something truly electric about the images that Leto captures, which is a testament to his abilities as a filmmaker and video artist.

“Kings and Queens” is all about stunning imagery, and there are a number of shots that really stick: The wildfires burning in the background, the homage to Banksy and the references to “The Warriors” among them. But will the relatively low-key quality of “Kings and Queens” (especially compared to eye-popping extravaganzas like “Bad Romance”) work against it? Logic would say yes, but consider Panic! at the Disco’s win for Video of the Year back in 2006. They came out of nowhere and toppled titans like Madonna and Britney Spears with the low-key but still visually arresting “I Write Sins Not Tragedies.” Upsets like this have happened before, and they could easily happen again.

The 27th annual MTV Video Music Awards will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on September 12 at 9 p.m. ET.

Fans can go to VMA.MTV.com (or text VMA to 97979 for Verizon subscribers) to vote for the winners from now through September 12.

Full article here

[x015] By Rach30STM – Myrtle Beach – 02 Sep 2010

Thanks to TheGateKeeper26

[...] The line of fans gradually grew longer and longer, snaking around the sidewalk. A few coffee and snack runs later, we were all approached by @EikoEchelon and @RockAMolly who, after giving us the chance to sign a birthday book for Tomo, which I did, asked us to participate in a human triad that they were setting up across the street. I was thrilled to be a part of it. A short time later, Tim and Tomo were spotted just a short distance away and I was able to get a pic with the birthday boy.

When the doors finally opened, I went with the girls into the venue and found myself about three rows from the front on Shannon’s side, with Kelly and the others close by. Just before the opening band, Violent Sohos came on, I managed to find one of my fellow UK echelon – @cute_ntheinsane, who’s name is Jennifer. She was VIP and front row and as we chatted for a few minutes, she pointed out the autograph of Jared’s that was now on her wrist and she excitedly said she couldn’t wait to get it tattooed when she got home. Violent Sohos took to the stage, and despite not being familiar with them or their music, I quite liked them. They reminded me a little of Nirvana, with their long hair and guitars. They were cheered and applauded after each song and said they would be around after the show.

There was a girl in front of me who was wearing a small Spongebob birthday hat and when asked politely, she took it off. Thank you to that girl, you made a lot of people’s views a lot better. Unlike the UK shows, there was no curtain in front of the stage when the opening notes of Escape rang out. Instead, dim lighting and smoke took its place as the crowd cheered their approval and excitement.

Full report & pics here

Credit: take40australia