The MTV Video Music Awards are being held in LA on August 28 and have just announced their nominations. Big congrats go to the Katy Perry with a whopping 9 nominations, 30 Seconds To Mars with 3 and Beastie Boys with 2…..

Katy Perry
Video of the Year “Firework”
Best Female “Firework”
Best Pop “Last Friday Night”
Katy / Kanye West – Best Callabo “E.T.”
Best Art Direction ” E.T.”
Best Cinematography “Teenage Dream”
Best Direction – Floria Sigismondi ” E.T.”
Best Editing “E.T.
Best SFX ” E.T.”

30 Seconds To Mars

Best Direction – Jared Leto “Hurricane”
Best Editing “Hurricane”
Best Cinematography “Hurricane”

Beastie Boys
Video of the Year “Make Some Noise”
Best Direction – Adam Yauch “Make Some Noise”

You can purchase all albums at The InSong store.

30 Seconds to Mars returned to Sydney for their second Australian tour and they did it in style. Perth and Melbourne had experienced the Into the Wild tour previously in the week and for the final show of the tour, Sydney did not disappoint.

From the opening track Escape, the show was quite literally a live interpretation of their chart busting album This is War – with some older tracks making appearances. Night of the Hunter was easily a stand out performance as was the crowd participation in Search and Destroy. Closer to the Edge brought every fist in the arena into the air with everyone chanting:

A mention about the Echelon from Jared got the old school fans pumped as did the self titled tracks Buddha for Mary and Capricorn (even though they didn’t play it all). But the night belonged to This is War, with the crowd happily turning into another version of The Summit, chanting, clapping and stomping.

Shannon proved again to be a monster on the drums, and allowed a young fan to play his kit during the closer, Kings and Queens. Tomo rocked out in his usual style and Jared as ever, was a ball of energy wildly running from one side of the stage to the other, then suddenly appearing at the sound desk at the back for an acoustic set.

If you didn’t catch 30 Seconds to Mars this time around, then definitely head to Soundwave for their return – I think it’s safe to say that anyone who saw them this time has been left wanting more.

ed note: Kelly Smith is a long serving and high ranking member of The Echelon, the super organised and dedicated global 30 Seconds To Mars fan club. Hats off to the passion and hard work these men and women contribute to the promotion of their beloved band. Onward and upward!

Thirty Seconds To Mars have unfortunately left the country after a very successful run of shows in Perth, Melbourne & Sydney last week.

For some lucky fans and EMI staff members the absolute highlight was getting pulled up onstage by Jared, Shannon and Tomo during their last song of the show Kings & Queens. The following footage sums up the unique energy, dedication and pure artistry that the band create at one of their shows for everyone who are privileged to witness. I personally had not had the chance before to see the band perform live but after the opportunity at The Hordern in Sydney on Friday night I am a loyal fan for life.

Thankfully the guys will be back in Australia in February next year to play at the Soundwave Festivals. Make sure you don’t miss them…

Next time I’m in an argument, I shall simply punch the air and declare:

Honestly, this is one of the most visually stunning and euphoric (a very different type of euphoria than the latest Miami Horror vid) music videos I’ve seen in recent years. For all the non-believers out there… this is the antidote.

You MUST watch it in HD on full screen.

If you are inspired to be that amazing kid standing on top of the crowd (at 2min 19s), or to witness the utter phenomenon of The Echelon and 30 Seconds To Mars from afar (ie seated), head to one of the Australian Into The Wild shows this July.

Full tour dates on our tour page and Frontier Touring.

Dear Echelon,

Prayers have been answered. Venues have been booked. Air punches have been practiced.

Get ready for 30 Seconds To Mars to arrive in Australia… for there will be rock.