BTS has an affinity for MGM Grand Garden Arena. The uber-famous K-pop collective sold out the arena with four simulcast concert-viewing parties during its 2022 Las Vegas visit.
The venue-packing outfit makes what is billed as a “special appearance” during the American Music Awards telecast, set for 5 p.m. PT Monday on CBS and Paramount+. Tickets for the three-hour show are available on AXS.
BTS’s appearance is billed as live, but what the seven-member band will perform or how they will be presented has not been announced.
They are performing the first of four sold-out shows at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday and Sunday, with returns on Wednesday and Thursday. The shows are part of the worldwide “Arirang World Tour.”
BTS was the first Korean band to perform on the AMAs in 2017, held at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Having just released the top-selling album “Arirang,” the band is nominated for Artist of the Year; Song of the Summer for their latest single, “Swim”; and Best Male K-Pop Artist. “Swim” and “Arirang” both debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard charts immediately after release.
The band is also taking over Vegas with “The City” activations, including installations and celebrations at The Wall at Area15 and Arte Museum at 63 CityCenter on the Strip.
Queen Latifah returns to host for the first time since 1995, after co-hosting with Tom Jones and Lorrie Morgan in 1995.
Announced performers among honorees include Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Billy Idol; International Artist Award of Excellence recipient Karol G; and Veterans Voice Award Presented by USAA’s Honor Through Action recipient Darius Rucker, who will perform alongside his bandmates from Hootie & The Blowfish.
Beyond that list, performers are to feature Katseye, Keith Urban, Maluma, New Kids on the Block, The Pussycat Dolls + Busta Rhymes, Riley Green, Sombr, Teddy Swims, Teyana Taylor and Twenty One Pilots.
Announced presenters include Alysa Liu, Anthony Ramos, Ejae, Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, Hannah Berner, Hilary Duff, Jason Derulo, John Legend, Lisa Rinna, Ludacris, Mariah the Scientist, Matt Rife, Megan Stalter and Paul W. Downs, Melanie Martinez, Nikki Glaser, Paula Abdul, Rei Ami and Russell Dickerson.
Former or current Las Vegas residency headliners presenting or performing include NKOTB, Idol, Urban, Legend, Abdul and Derulo. And, Robin Antin’s Pussy Cat Dolls were once in partnership with a branded enclave at Pure Nightclub at Caesars Palace (Omnia Nightclub today) in the mid-2000s. The production has had an eye on a return to Vegas after its North American “PCD Forever” reunion tour, before that series was canceled on May 4.
Taylor Swift’s eight nominations lead the field. She won 40 AMAs, more than any other artist. Her latest nominations are for Artist of the Year, Album of the Year (“The Life of a Showgirl”), Song of the Year (“The Fate of Ophelia”), Best Music Video (“The Fate of Ophelia”), Song of the Summer (“Elizabeth Taylor”), Best Female Pop Artist, Best Pop Song (“The Fate of Ophelia”) and Best Pop Album (“The Life of a Showgirl”).
Morgan Wallen, Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Dean and Sombr each have seven nominations. Dean and Sombr have impressed as first-time nominees, including in the New Artist of the Year, Song of the Year and Breakthrough Album of the Year categories.
Other first-time nominees include Alex Warren, BigXthaPlug, Katseye, Leon Thomas, PinkPantheress, Raye, Sienna Spiro, Role Model and Tate McRae.
AMAs are the second major awards show to play MGM Grand Garden Arena in as many weekends, following Sunday’s well-received Academy of Country Music Awards show. That production is returning to Las Vegas in 2027. And, as noted, the fancy sets have been designed by Las Vegas’s Emmy-winning designer, Andy Walmsley.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. His “PodKats!” podcast can be found at reviewjournal.com/podcasts. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow @johnnykatson X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.