Euro Music Talk

Time flew by. I have survived MTV Europe Awards 2007 that happened today at Olympiahalle in Munich Germany. It didn’t hurt. But I don’t recognise the “new sound of Europe” in Estonia’s The Bedwetters. They competed against Turkey’s Yakup, my favourite bet, and Romania’s Firma.

They are young. But they lack innovation. The saving grace might be that their sound don’t differ from the same bands crowding the radio stations today craving for the fans who favour this kind of sound.

“Everything is possible when you believe in yourself!” Shouted their lead singer Joosep Järvesaar as he and his group finished performing their first single “A Dramatic Letter to Conscience.” It was dramatic indeed complete with his stunning grimaces amidst the jubilating audience. The unsigned Bedwetters won a local band contest this year and was awarded to film their own video. They are scheduled to release their debut album in 2008. The band describes their musical influence from pop to rock.

So who are the winners and the losers? Who brought home the stinky cheese and the MTV trophy?

The first award presenters Joel Madden and his brother Benjie from Good Charlotte told the fans, who happened to vote for most of the categories, could only blame themselves if they were not satisfied with the outcome.

Snoop Doggy Dogg who emceed the show was short of being entertaining except for his one-liners. He was advised to curb his love to use bad language throughout the show but they were wrong.

And the winners are….

Oh well, I guess it helps to be an actor. Jared Leto and his band 30 Seconds to Mars just won the Rock Out Award. I don’t understand it too but with him it works. Keanu Reeves and Russel Crowe tried the same route but never got any attention. Juliette Lewis and her Licks don’t mind if they hit small time.

Amy Winehouse was confused. First when her name was called to receive the Artists’ Choice Award and then when she was onstage.

Rihanna’s “Umbrella” is still raging hot. The European teenagers love Avril Lavigne. She won twice. Nelly Furtado and Linkin Park joined the winners’ circle.

Justine Timberlake walked away empty-handed. He was a favourite last year.

Okay, at least the European acts still fought their way. UK’s Muse won the Best Headliner. France’s Justice got the video award and Germany’s Tokio Hotel saw to it that tonight is their night. But wait a sec, did I hear some boos?

The boys just won the Best Inter Act beating American imports Fall Out Boy, 30 Seconds to Mars, My Chemical Romance and the granddads of electronic pop/rock Depeche Mode. They also performed and received a quick shower after they played “Monsoon.” Rap group Bushido took the Best German Act. (For more detailed results, click Wikipedia).

Serj Tankian proclaimed that MTV Europe Awards is better than the American version much to the excitement of the audience. Dave Grohl quickly shut him up. It must be embarrassing to act as an anti-establishment that moment. Dave and his band Foo Fighters ran a bar and interviewed celebrity guests during the event.

On Wednesday, the former Nirvana drummer expressed his relief during the press conference that he is older by 20 years than some of the other artists who appeared at the award show and was proud of his band’s achievements by not bothering themselves of “what’s going on outside.”

“We make records in our basement, and we’ve remained true to our initial idea.”

Bedwetters and co. should take a cue on this. Foo Fighters warmed up the show and treated the crowd with their rendition of Sex Pistols’ “God Save the Queen” but didn’t win at all.

Next year, MTV Europe Awards will take place in Liverpool.

Hopefully this time, more European musicians will dominate the awards.

The Bedwetters, Estonia, Yakup, Turkey, Firma, Romania, MTV Music Europe Awards 2007, Snoop Doggy Dogg, Good Charlotte, Joel Madden, Dave Grohl, Foo Fighters, Justice, France, Tokio Hotel, Liverpool, 30 Seconds to Mars, Amy Winehouse, Fall Out Boy, My Chemical Romance, Depeche Mode, Bushido, Nirvana, Rihanna, Umbrella, Avril Lavigne, Nelly Furtado, Linkin Park, Justine Timberlake