For the VMAs 40th anniversary milestone, our concept was to create an unforgettable fusion of nostalgia, modernity, and spectacle.
The visual centerpiece of the design is a towering 60’ tall Moon Person, emerging from a video wall and reaching into the room as if stepping out of the digital world and into the physical, metaphorically referring to the event itself and the connection between its history and future. The over-sized MTV figure has also served as a canvas for projection mapping, showcasing clips and iconic moments of the ceremony’s four decades.
This transformation from digital to reality, from screen to stage, encapsulates the overall theme of the anniversary show—a celebration of the past while looking to the future.
This year’s layout broke new ground with four distinct stages, each providing a unique perspective and energy for both performers and the audience. The main stages consisted of two side-by-side stages, each 60’ wide and 40’ deep, anchored along the length of the arena. Both stages featured expansive video backing walls, setting the tone for an immersive visual experience. Positioned at the heart of the arena was an intimate central fan stage that emerged from a thrust under the Moon Person, creating an interactive space where the crowd’s energy converges. Finally, our Fandom Stage, surrounded by tiers of audience members, was a massive 24’x16’ lift that raised up from below revealing artists and rising 19’ to create a powerful performance space in the room.