The 2017 MTV EMAs opened with Best Hip Hop winner Eminem doing a thrilling orchestra-backed performance, along with guest artist Skylar Grey, of his newly dropped track “Walk on Water,” taking the mic in a London pub before joining the EMA stage at The SSE Arena, Wembley. 

Following, the audience saw global pop star and hometown hostess Rita Ora run through London’s streets to get to the show, with UK radio crew Kurupt FM of British sitcom “People Just Do Nothing” and a cameo from the Mayor of London himself.    

Proving they’re the biggest band in the world, U2 performed “Get Out Of Your Own Way” from London’s historic Trafalgar Square and was honored with the night’s prestigious milestone award, Global Icon.  Best Pop winner Camila Cabello’s captivating and elaborate musical production featured a hugely choreographed routine that moved through three scenes and incorporated soaring overhead shots, ending in a Havana-style swimming pool.  

Liam Payne got hearts racing with a steamy performance of “Strip That Down” featuring dancers in streetwear moving across an LED disco floor, while perched on hydraulics set to a spectacular LED light  show.   Bold entrances were the theme for the night with Travis Scott flying in on the back of an animatronic bird over the audience for his performance of “Butterfly Effect,” while Stormzy arrived in a police car for his smash grime track “Big For Your Boots.”   

The Killers performed “The Man” via a stripped down, stirring classic rock performance.   Shawn Mendes was crowned Best Artist and rocked his Best Song-winning track “There’s Nothing Holding Me Back” in an ever-evolving light box.   

Host Rita Ora’s performance featured more than 50 dancers in an over-the-top medley of songs from her new album, “Your Song” and “Anywhere.”   Other artists delivering a mix of fan favorite tracks included Demi Lovato with her performance of “Sorry Not Sorry” and “Tell Me You Love Me,” and Kesha’s moving rendition of “Learn to Let Go.”     

David Guetta closed the show with an electrifying performance of his new single “Dirty, Sexy, Money” with guests French Montana, and Charli XCX.    

Later, Rita Ora was presented with the first-ever “MTV EMA Power of Music Award” honoring the charitable efforts on behalf of all the artists who responded to Grenfell.   Additionally, MTV recognized artists from around the globe with Worldwide Act awards and Best Local Act awards for multiple regions including Spain, The Netherlands, Japan and Nigeria. Worldwide Act recognizes those artists who have evolved their footprint and established their names beyond their local borders in 2017.  They are selected from all the regional EMA award nominees by an international panel of MTV music executives.   

At the close of show, Ora announced that the 2018 MTV EMAs would be held in Bilbao, Spain.