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Blueprint: How to throw an MTV VMAs watch party


Read time 5 Mins

Posted 31 Aug 2023

By
Alexandra Whiting


Enjoying a bowl of popcorn with vodka and Diet Coke

Be the host with the most… K-pop-themed drinks and reliable internet connection.

Good food, good drink, good friends – at its essence, a party is a timeless combination of elements, brought to life by the individual touch that hosts and guests contribute to the occasion. To help you pull off your best and most fun-filled gathering yet, our Dan’s Daily Blueprints tell you everything you need to know about hosting whatever event is next on your hit list.

 

For pop-culture followers, there is no greater awards show for witnessing iconic moments being made than the MTV Video Music Awards. From the anything-could-happen performances (remember Britney and Madonna’s kiss?), to the unforgettable acceptance speeches (or their interruptions – Kanye to Taylor Swift in 2009 *cringe*), to the far out, perfectly outrageous fashion (Madonna’s “Boy Toy” belt, Gaga’s meat dress, Rose McGowan’s chain mail, JLo’s bedazzled bandana), the VMAs have maintained must-see status for over 30 years. Once again, on September 12 (or 13, Australian time) at New Jersey’s Prudential Center, the awards will be happening, but with our blueprint, your watch party will be the place to be.

Dress codeIconic looks of past VMAs. Nothing less than a Burmese python scarfed along your neighbour’s shoulder will do. In all seriousness, there are so many irreverent fashion moments from the years that this dress code allows guests to do the most (recreating Lil’ Kim’s purple one-shouldered jumpsuit and matching sequin nipple pasties) or the least (stick a daisy in your hair and you’re ’90s Drew Barrymore).
Bottles of Coors Lager with popcorn

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What to drink

1. A classic American party beer

All these young Americans, here for a good time. If Hollywood youth culture has taught us anything, it’s that a classic US beer served in a red cup is a must. Coors Lager is an easy-drinking beer and lower in carbs than its cohort. It also has a party trick; when it’s cooled to the perfect drinking temperature, the mountain on the label turns blue. 

2. A toast to the K-pop boom 

Over the past few years, hallyu (the wave of South Korean pop culture that’s become a major global influence) has prevailed in everything from Netflix dramas to 18-step skincare regimes. But the purest and truest form of K-pop is in its music. Interchangeable bands with as many as 23 members (all singers, all attractive) deliver flawless choreo and addictive melodies. Many K-pop bands are nominated this year, and it has its own “Best K-pop” category, so Blackpink, TXT and Fifty Fifty will be there turning looks. To honour them, pop a soju – specifically, Chateul Soorok Lychee 14%. A clean and fresh soju made even better by the distinctly tropical taste of juicy, sweet lychees. And K-pop is nothing if not sugary sweet.  

3. Taylor Swift’s fave drink

When it comes to nominations this year, T-Swizzle leads the pack with eight, including one for Video of the Year with ‘Anti-Hero’. Swifty or not, you’ve got to admit the singer-songwriter is killing it. Her critic-silencing Eras tour has become the highest revenue-making tour of all time, grossing over $1 billion. Her fans have broken ticketing sites and paid hefty amounts to see their idol, and, by all reports, are not disappointed with the almost four-hour long performance. In honour of the woman behind it all, whip up her favourite drink (revealed in her ‘73 Questions with Vogue’ video in 2016), a Vodka Diet Coke. We’re making ours with Fire & Ice Platinum Vodka. This Swiss spirit with elegant flavours and a velvety texture is a great match for the bubbly soft drink. Plus, “Fire & Ice” totally sounds like one of her songs. 

Fire & Ice Vodka and Diet Coke with popcorn

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What to eat Popcorn is essential for watching moonmen being awarded, but you could do as much as hotdogs, giant pretzels, chicken tenders, nachos: classic stadium food. The only rule is that it needs to be one-handed and requiring little attention because your eyes will be on the screen, not your food. 
How to decorateThe only truly necessary addition to your home decor is a photowall. In front of which guests will pose, turn, pose again. The VMAs never stick to a particular colour scheme or lewk too decisive for a consistent red carpet – last year the carpet was black and the backdrop a metallic silver with barely legible neon logos. So, look for something shiny, sparkly and twinkly, and hang it somewhere you can stand back to capture the whole ’fit.  
PlaylistOnce the show begins, you’ll call for quiet, but before and after, Spotify playlists of VMAs of every year are ready and willing – 2001 is a particular banger.
Don’t forgetEnsure your WiFi is strong and your accounts are logged in. Once upon a time, Foxtel was the place to go for all your MTV needs but, shock horror, Foxtel recently dropped MTV from its line-up. Don’t fret though, the MTV VMAs will be available to stream on Paramount+ (with a paid subscription) and 10Play (free with ads). If you’re watching it live, that’ll be Wednesday, 13 September from 10am to 12pm. 
image credits: Charlie Hawks (photography), Shelley Horan (styling).