On Sunday, November 10, 2013, Amsterdam lit up as the MTV Europe Music Awards delivered a night of big energy and unforgettable moments. The Ziggo Dome hosted the spectacle, and the vibe was driven by a charismatic host energy from Redfoo of LMFAO who kept the crowd bouncing from the first note. The lineup felt like a global tour with wall-to-wall stars. Kings of Leon brought their anthemic rock to the stage, Icona Pop electrified the room with bright club-ready hooks, and Snoop Lion rolled out laid-back swagger. Robin Thicke mixed smooth soul with pop sensibilities, Afrojack delivered a pulsing DJ set, and Bruno Mars combined precision musicianship with showmanship that never lagged. Miley Cyrus sparked conversations with bold stage theatrics, Imagine Dragons turned arenas into roaring valleys, and The Killers closed with the kind of high-energy encore that sticks. An exclusive moment arrived when Katy Perry took the stage to premiere her new single Unconditionally before a global audience. MTV captured the night with a blend of backstage energy and broadcast polish that made the show feel intimate yet colossal.
The pre-show started at seven in the evening, offering fans a window into the red carpet drama and fashion. Viewers got a close look at styles from designers and stylists who dressed the stars for the big night. In parallel, the online voting system let fans weigh in on this year s favorite artist category, allowing people from around the world to cast ballots for their hometown heroes. By the end of the pre-show, momentum had already built for the main event, with social chatter buzzing about outfits, surprises, and the dynamic energy on stage.
This year the Worldwide Act prize drew intense competition as Justin Bieber pursued the crown representing a global fan base. Fans worldwide had a say in who would represent their region, and the process culminated in a final round featuring the top five contenders. The tension built as regional favorites advanced through early rounds, then faced one last vote to determine the ultimate title. Bieber entered the final stage with a tremendous following, and anticipation among viewers suggested the outcome would reflect both fan passion and regional pride.
Ariana Grande handled backstage updates, keeping viewers informed with scenes from behind the scenes that added texture to the broadcast. At the same time, the iconic Ron Burgundy, portrayed by Will Ferrell, offered reports from Amsterdam landmarks, bringing his classic humor to the night and giving a playful throughline to the coverage. The two angles created a sense of immediacy and fun that appealed to fans watching at home and on mobile devices.
The MTV EMA 2013 in Amsterdam proved to be more than a concert; it stood as a global pop moment that blended rock, pop, and electronic music with a dash of comedy and a strong sense of spectacle. The energy of the performances, the fashion on the red carpet, and the interactive voting created a participatory atmosphere that lingered long after the lights went down. For fans in Canada, the United States, and beyond, the event underscored how MTV serves a cross-border audience with a shared appetite for big shows, bigger stars, and moments that become part of the year’s cultural conversation.