Taylor Swift wins big at Billbord

Published May 19, 2013 | By RiverCityAttractions

Live from the Billboard Music Awards: Swift wins Top Artist; Bieber wins Milestone Award; Prince burns in finale

Tom Donoghue

Taylor Swift backstage at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on Sunday, May 19, 2013. Swift won eight awards.

By John Katsilometes

Published Sunday, May 19, 2013 | 5:03 p.m.

Updated Sunday, May 19, 2013 | 8:15 p.m.

2013 Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand

Steve Marcus – Prince performs during the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Sunday, May 19, 2013.

Steve Marcus – Recording artists Nicki Minaj (L) and Lil Wayne perform during the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Sunday, May 19, 2013.

Steve Marcus – Recording artists Lil Wayne (L) and Nicki Minaj perform during the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Sunday, May 19, 2013.

Steve Marcus – Musician Justin Bieber accepts the Milestone Award onstage during the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Sunday, May 19, 2013.

Steve Marcus – David Guetta performs during the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Sunday, May 19, 2013.

Steve Marcus – Justin Bieber, left, performs with Will.i.am during the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Sunday, May 19, 2013.

Steve Marcus – Producer Will.i.am (C) performs during the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Sunday, May 19, 2013.

Steve Marcus – Justin Bieber performs during the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Sunday, May 19, 2013.

Steve Marcus – DJ David Guetta accepts the award for ‘Dance Artist of the Year’ during the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Sunday, May 19, 2013.

Steve Marcus – Jennifer Lopez performs during the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Sunday, May 19, 2013.

Steve Marcus – Ed Sheeran performs during the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Sunday, May 19, 2013.

Steve Marcus – Miguel performs during the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Sunday, May 19, 2013.

Steve Marcus – Musician Justin Bieber accepts the award for Top Male Artist onstage during the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Sunday, May 19, 2013.

Steve Marcus – Musicians Pitbull (L) and Christina Aguilera perform during the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Sunday, May 19, 2013.

Steve Marcus – Musicians Pitbull and Christina Aguilera perform during the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Sunday, May 19, 2013.

Steve Marcus – Singer Taylor Swift accepts the award for Top Billboard 200 Album during the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Sunday, May 19, 2013.

Steve Marcus – Singer Taylor Swift accepts the award for ‘Top Billboard 200 Album’ during the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Sunday, May 19, 2013.

Steve Marcus – Justin Bieber performs during the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Sunday, May 19, 2013.

Steve Marcus – Madonna accepts the Top Touring Artist award, which recognizes the highest grossing concert touring act of the year, for her 2012 MDNA tour during the Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Sunday, May 19, 2013. Madonna’s MDNA tour grossed over $305 million from 88 sold-out shows in front of an audience of 2.2 million.

Steve Marcus – Singer Madonna accepts the award for Top Touring Artist presented to her by musician Will.i.am during the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Sunday, May 19, 2013. Madonna’s MDNA tour in 2012 grossed over $305 million from 88 sold-out shows in front of an audience of 2.2 million.

Steve Marcus – Singer Madonna accepts the award for Top Touring Artist presented to her by musician Will.i.am, right, during the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Sunday, May 19, 2013. Madonna’s MDNA tour in 2012 grossed over $305 million from 88 sold-out shows in front of an audience of 2.2 million.

Steve Marcus – Country singer Kacey Musgraves performs during the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Sunday, May 19, 2013.

Steve Marcus – Taylor Swift performs during the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Sunday, May 19, 2013.

Steve Marcus – Chris Brown performs during the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Sunday, May 19, 2013.

Steve Marcus – Icona Pop performs during the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Sunday, May 19, 2013.

Steve Marcus – Members of The Band Perry perform during the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Sunday, May 19, 2013.

Steve Marcus – Singer Kimberly Perry of The Band Perry performs during the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Sunday, May 19, 2013.

Steve Marcus – The Band Perry performs during the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Sunday, May 19, 2013.

Steve Marcus – Selena Gomez performs during the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Sunday, May 19, 2013.

Steve Marcus – Rapper Nicki Minaj accepts the award for Top Rap Artist during the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Sunday, May 19, 2013.

Steve Marcus – Host Tracy Morgan speaks onstage during the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Sunday, May 19, 2013.

Steve Marcus – Singer Bruno Mars performs during the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Sunday, May 19, 2013.

Steve Marcus – Singer Bruno Mars, center, performs during the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Sunday, May 19, 2013.

Steve Marcus – Recording Artist Will.i.am arrives at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Sunday, May 19, 2013.

Steve Marcus – Caesars Palace headliner Shania Twain arrives at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on Sunday, May 19, 2013.

Steve Marcus – Miley Ray Cyrus arrives at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Sunday, May 19, 2013.

Steve Marcus – Chris Brown arrives at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Sunday, May 19, 2013.

Steve Marcus – Chad Krogoer (L) and Avril Lavigne arrive at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Sunday, May 19, 2013.

Steve Marcus – Singer Kesha arrives at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Sunday, May 19, 2013.

Steve Marcus – Carly Rae Jepsen arrives at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Sunday, May 19, 2013.

Steve Marcus – South Korean singer Psy arrives at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Sunday, May 19, 2013.

Steve Marcus – Recording artist SkyBlu arrives at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Sunday, May 19, 2013.

Steve Marcus – Selena Gomez arrives at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Sunday, May 19, 2013.

Steve Marcus – The Band Perry arrives at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Sunday, May 19, 2013.

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Captions

What’s great about the 2013 Billboard Music Awards is the crossing of cultures. Just now, at MGM Grand Garden Arena, host Tracy Morgan said, “My biological father is here!” Then he paused and said, “Wayne Newton!”

And The Wayner stood from his seat, pointed to Morgan onstage, and the crowd roared.

I really had no idea of this familial relationship between the two. Never known Tracy to spend the holidays with the Newtons — or extended time at Casa de Shenandoah. Ever.

Regardless, the party is on at MGM Grand Garden Arena. This is an awards show that does not lean too heavily on the importance of the awards. Instead, we are treated to some dynamite live performances. Live, and with tracks, but live just the same. (The show airs on tape delay at 8 p.m. on ABC.)

In introducing the award for Top Rap Artist, Shania Twain says, “I know, when you think rap, you think Shania Twain,” then announces Nikki Minaj, whose hair should be up for some sort of lifetime achievement award, as the winner.

One of Morgan’s jokes: “What happens in Vegas winds up on YouTube or Instagram!” reminds of a similar joke uncorked last weekend by Mick Jagger in this very same arena. But “What Happens Here, Stays Here” remains one of the enduring slogans of all time. It refuses to die.

Check back soon, music fans.

from: The Las Vegas Sun

Posted in Music review