'Screamers' dance for last chance to win MTV tickets

Sunday Herald, The, Nov 2, 2003 by Mona McAlinden

They came from all over the country to dance, scream and generally make an exhibition of themselves. Their mission: to win front row tickets for the party of the year, the MTV Europe Awards in Edinburgh later this week.

Around 1500 music fans answered MTV's appeal for "screamers" to audition for the tickets in a marquee at Princes Street Gardens yesterday, many of them queueing from 7.30am for the chance to strut their stuff in front of the judges.

"We're just looking for enthusiastic young people," said James O'Brien, producer of the awards' main show. "These young people are what gives the show its energy. They'll be right at the front of the stage and will be able to reach out and touch the performers.

"In previous years we've actually gone to dance schools and hired professional people. But this year, for the first time, we decided to involve the local community. And we're bowled over by the turnout. We're just absolutely amazed, it's much better than anything we've done before."

"I wasn't nervous at all," said one lucky winner suitably dressed for the occasion in a shiny silver suit and cowboy hat. "I am a show- off," he added.

Aileen Summers, 21, from Edinburgh said: "I'd been queueing from 11am. I was so nervous I had a few drinks before I went into the audition. I came with a group of people and about half of us got in. I'm so excited about Thursday but I'm also upset because my sister didn't get picked and I did."

Wezi Mahura, a 22-year-old Malawian now living in Edinburgh jumped up and down in delight when she heard she had been chosen. "I'm so pleased," she said. "My three friends were also picked and I just can't believe we all got through."

A quick glance around the sweaty marquee confirms the enthusiasm of the would-be partygoers. Breakdan-cing and singalongs break out and there is mayhem on the dance floor.

The participants who had not yet had their fate decided were easy to spot. Anxiously waiting at the back of the white marquee were two friends, Kerry-Anne Brines and Kelly Brady, both 22, from Edinburgh. "It took us two hours to get through the queue," said Kelly. "And we were actually more nervous after we came off the dance floor than we were before it. There's loads of really eccentric people here, if we'd have known that we'd have worn our Hallowe'en costumes."

For those who were disappointed the failure was a bitter blow. Joanna Susskind, 18, from Glasgow had just been told she had not been picked. "I didn't get on very well," she said. "They were only picking really eccentric people. So I'm quite disappointed."

The crowd were vying for the remaining tickets for the star- studded show, hosted by Christina Aguilera and featuring live performances from The White Stripes, Pink, Kylie Minogue, The Darkness, Travis, Beyonce and Sean Paul. Tickets for the show are currently selling for around (pounds) 500 each on eBay.

Those not successful were given consolation tickets to an 8000- capacity concert in Princes Street Gardens to coincide with the main event. As well as a live beamback of the main event, the concert will see live performances from The Flaming Lips, Jane's Addiction and The Chemical Brothers who will also feature at the televised main event.

"We're giving out tickets for the gig in the Gardens to make sure that people aren't too disappointed that they didn't get in, because it's just a bit of fun," said Simon Crellin, a member of the marketing team from Footlocker, one of the event sponsors.

Tickets for the awards are available to buy from the Footlocker store in Glasgow's Argyll Street on Tuesday and the Princes Street store on Wednesday. Fifty tickets will be on sale at each venue. Free tickets for the Gardens concert will also be given away at the stores.

MTV 16 page special: Review Our complete guide to the mighty awards bash in Edinburgh on Thursday includes interviews with rock goddess Pink, MTV Europe's Brent Hansen, Pat Kane on how the TV station conquered the world, and full details of the nominees and our form guide to who should win what. Coverage comes with the support of Scottish Enterprise, VisitScotland, EventScotland, City of Edinburgh Council and Edinburgh and Lothians Tourist Board.