U2 play the Brandenburg Gate, as MTV awards return to Berlin

Nov 5, 2009, 12:00 GMT

Berlin - U2 will play a sold-out free gig at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate Thursday night to mark the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, as part of the return of the MTV European awards to the German capital for the first time in 15 years.

The awards were inaugurated in Berlin in 1994, and Thursday's event will also see stars such as Juliette Lewis, French actor Jean Reno and the Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko attend.

However, with the German capital currently celebrating the fall of the Wall and reunification 20 years ago, the highlight is expected to be the return of Irish band U2, who also played at the inaugural event.

Their concert is already sold out. The band recorded their landmark album Achtung Baby in Berlin, between the fall of the wall in 1989 and reunification in 1990.

The European Music Awards is an offshoot of the original American MTV awards, but has grown to establish itself as an successful event in its own right.

American pop group Backstreet Boys will present an award, and will perform in O2 World arena, including American R&B singer Beyonce, American rock bands Foo Fighters and Green Day.

Singer Kathy Perry, who hosted the show last year in London will be play that role again.

Artists in 13 different categories will be awarded. The nominees for Best European Act are: Deep Insight, Dima Bilan, Doda, Lost and Manga.

The nominees for Best Song: Halo (Beyonce), I Gotta Feeling (Black Eyed Peas), When Love Takes Over (D Guetta featuring K Rowland), Use Somebody (Kings of Leon), Pokerface (Lady Gaga).

The nominees for Best group: Black Eyed Peas, Green Day, Kings of Leon, Jonas Brothers and Tokio Hotel.

The nominees for Best male performer: Eminem, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Mikka and Robbie Williams.

The nominees for Best female performer: Beyonce, Kathy Perry, Lady Gaga, Leona Lewis and Shakira.