The MGM Grand played host to a plethora of pop stars this weekend for the Clear Channel-sponsored iHeartRadio Festival, two nights of genre-spanning, crowd-pleasing pop music. A mix of veterans and newcomers thrilled the (reportedly very drunk) crowd on both nights. The most successful performers were those who stuck to a setlist of hits, like Jay-Z, who may have performed “On To The Next One” but didn’t take its advice about his old songs, including favorites from The Blueprint and The Black Album alongside newer singles like “Empire State of Mind” (with a guest appearance by earlier performer Alicia Keys). Those whose songs were less well-known by the crowd, like Sublime with Rome, were less well-received.
Perhaps the big surprise of the weekend, according to reports, was Jennifer Lopez, who, in a set that spanned her musical career, proved supremely capable of standing among the pop titans of today (with a Pitbull feature on “On the Floor”). Saturday’s “special guest” Sting also more than pulled his weight, backing Steven Tyler on bass early in the evening, then joining Lady Gaga for performances of “Stand By Me” and his own “King of Pain.”
Tags: Festivals, iHeartRadio Festival, Music, Photos, David Guetta, Bruno Mars, Nicki Minaj, Black Eyed Peas, Lady Gaga, Natasha Bedingfield, Rascal Flatts, Alicia Keys, Steven Tyler, Kenny Chesney, Jennifer Lopez, Usher, Sinbad, Rihanna, Nicole Scherzinger, Kelly Clarkson, Justin Timberlake, Jay-Z, Dr. Dre
As we parallel park into July and officially hit the curb of this year’s halfway point, it’s time to take a quick look back at what the past six months have taught us. Not conventional life lessons, however; we’re talking about stuff that’s a little bit less intense and also involves YOU! That’s right, in the first installment of our Top 100 Videos of 2011… So Far, we’re spilling the beans on the #100-51 most clicked-and-viewed videos on VH1.com. You’ll see that this piñata-like list of content contains tasty treats and slippery surprises alike! We’ve got brand-new videos that just recently launched, some VH1 Classic leaning clips (hey there, Megadeth), repeat offenders, and of course, effervescent, essential vids from the music video cannon. So take a look at the first fifty videos below and don’t forget to come back later this week as we continue on our quest to discover what artist snags the #1 spot!
100. Jack Johnson, “From The Clouds”
99. Chris Brown, “Deuces”
98. Ke$ha, “Tik Tok”
97. Bruno Mars, “The Other Side”
96. Beyoncé, “Video Phone (Extended Remix)”
95. Usher, “OMG”
94. B.o.B, “Airplanes”
93. Taylor Swift, “Mine”
92. Sara Bareilles, “King Of Anything”
91. John Legend & The Roots, “Wake Up Everybody”
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Tags: Lists, Music, VH1's Top 100 Videos of 2011 ... So Far, You Oughta Know, Megadeath, Super Stereo, Augustana, Pitbull, Raphael Saadiq, Weird Al Yankovic, Arcade Fire, Mumford & Sons, John Legend & The Roots, Duran Duran, B.o.B, Willow Smith, Mike Posner, Lissie, Christina Perri, Trey Songz, Fantasia, Bruno Mars, Jack Johnson, Train, Ke$ha, Katy Perry, Adam Lambert, Death Cab For Cutie, Adele, David Cook, Chris Brown, a-ha, Josh Groban, Sara Bareilles, Taylor Swift, Shakira, Foo Fighters, Steven Tyler, Usher, Linkin Park, Kings of Leon, James Blunt, Dr. Dre, Britney Spears, Beyonce
- Apparently, Mary J. Blige has turned to Sandy Duncan for hair inspiration. Put down the Wheat Thins, girl! They’re going to your head! [CONCRETELOOP]
- Keyshia Cole performs “The Star Spangled Banner” before the NFL opening kickoff. But there are so many runs, you’d swear it was a baseball game. [Crunk + Disorderly]
- Celine Dion‘s hair is as big as Beyoncé‘s on her upcoming album cover. If her butt is as also big as Beyoncé’s, she’s got a hit on her hands. [Dlisted]
- Fergie and Steven Tyler pose together for a picture. Surprisingly, it is not an ad for Botox. [CityRag]
- It’s New York Fashion Week: do you know where your best costume for today is? [Jezebel]
[Image: Getty]
