The Bella Centre in Copenhagen was the venue for this year's show, which was presented by Justin Timberlake and saw performances from the likes of The Killers, Snoop Dogg, Muse and Keane. Awards were presented to Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera for Best Male and Female Artists, while British bands led the way with Best Group going to Depeche Mode, and Best Alternative to Muse.
Specialist event seating company, Arena Seating was brought in to supply the audience seating for the show, which had to be built to very specific requirements. The seating layout was built in a three-quarter circle shape, raised up in the air by one metre.
Bradley Merchant, account director of Arena Seating explained: "The unique design request of the event, and the irregular angle of the layout meant we had to create the layout using 25 independent straight sections of seating joined together throughout the under structure to form one solid circular grandstand. Through numerous prototype constructions within the Membury based warehouse, Arena Seating perfected the radius required to fit the design.
"We worked closely with set company Stage One to deliver the requirements for the show, and due to the short lead time, we had to work independently in the build up, relying on email correspondence between design departments.
"Once the entire structure was completed, it was then overlaid with black laminated ply and black carpet, joined with aluminum nosing and finished in neon lighting to create the look seen on TV."
Arena Seating installed the equivalent of 1000 seats worth of structure used for the different types of audience seating, including the artists and VIP area, where Arena's 'In Style' luxury upholstered seating was used. Other areas were created as standing terracing for dancers, stages for presenters and general seating for the invited public.
Following a successful build across five days, the audience enjoyed a spectacular show. Immediately following the show, the Arena Seating team of 20 dismantled the seating layout and transported it back to the UK.
(Chris Henry)
