MTV madness takes over Berlin

Beyonce Singer Beyonce arrived in Berlin with her husband Jay-Z

Katy Perry's contemplating her costume changes, U2 will perform at the Brandenburg Gate and David Hasselhoff has just been announced as a surprise guest presenter.

It can only mean the MTV Europe Music Awards have hit Berlin.

Beyonce, Jay-Z, Green Day, Foo Fighters, Shakira and Leona Lewis will all be performing at the city's O2 World this evening (5 November).

Beyonce was a late announcement after Robbie Williams pulled out due to a "scheduling conflict."

Returning to host for the second year running is singer Katy Perry. She began last year's event in Liverpool by sitting on top of a giant cherry chapstick but admits her "fruity, kitsch thing may be a little played out".

So instead she says she's taking in the "Berlin/Cabaret vibe". That means Katy gets to have her own black and white themed Katy Kat Club set up on the arena floor.

A tattoo artist will be backstage airbrushing temporary stockings and garters onto Katy's dancers and she'll be draped in "lace and feathers and crystals and corsets".

"I think it's going to be dark and sexy and romantic," Katy said. "A little bit naughty here and there."

A lot of being backstage is really boring. You do see some boobs though...that does truly happen

The singer admits she'll be showing more flesh and wearing fewer clothes. Inspired by her boyfriend Russell Brand perhaps?

"Yes, he's a massive influence on my fewer clothes," Katy laughed, but concedes "I think he'd probably prefer me being more quirky and covered (up)".

After playing a gig in London, Jay-Z flew out to Berlin late on Wednesday night with wife Beyonce. Up until now a stand-in has been doing Beyonce's song, but the real singer will rehearse on Thursday morning.

Foo Fighters spent Wednesday afternoon running through the two tracks they'll perform during the show, new single Wheels and old favourite All My Life.

Mid-rehearsal frontman Dave Grohl started singing Foreigner's 80s classic, I Want to Know What Love Is, joking to bandmate Taylor Hawkins he wished they could sing that instead.