For the first time, fans will have a say in the nomination process for the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards. The nominees for eight categories, including Best Male Video and Best Female Video, will be determined by an online vote of viewers.
Voting began after the announcement was made on “FNMTV” on July 18. The nomination process will take place from now throughout August until all the fan-input categories are voted on: Best Male Video, Best Female Video, Best Pop Video, Best Dancing In A Video, Best New Artist, Best Rock Video and Video of the Year.
In previous years, the fans determined the winner for Best New Artist; that tradition will continue, but the winners of the eight other categories will be determined by a panel of music industry experts.
The performance lineup for the VMAs also is taking shape, with the Jonas Brothers the first to confirm its appearance. The band will play their second single from its new album, “A Little Bit Longer,” but won’t reveal the name of the track until their performance.
— Natalie Der-Mesropian, L.A.
Sonic Youth will play the last ever show at Brooklyn’s McCarren Park Pool on Aug. 30, with special guests to be announced. Tickets go on sale Friday (July 25) via Ticketmaster, with proceeds to benefit the Open Space Alliance.
The pool, which opened in 1936 but was closed in 1984, has been hosting shows since the summer of 2006. Construction is set to begin later this year on returning the space to a pool. In winter, some space will be converted into an ice-skating rink.
— Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.
Motley Crue has partnered with Deeprockdrive.com, an online concert venue, to show its Aug. 1 performance at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas. Fans at home will be able to chat with one another and type messages to the bands during their performance, and the bands may respond. Bands such as Disturbed, O.A.R and Lloyd have previously had their shows broadcast by the site.
— Kamau High, N.Y.