Lenny Kravitz's Flying V, Halsey's Fender Telecaster and Shawn Mendes' Martin signature acoustic stole the spotlight at the star-studded event
(Image credit: Left and Center-Mike Coppola/Getty Images for MTV; Right-Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for MTV)
This year’s MTV VMAs were chock-full of extravagant costumes, a healthy dose of camp, and unadulterated pop. However, the event also delivered three standout guitar moments from three very different artists: Lenny Kravitz, Halsey, and Shawn Mendes, refuting any naysayers still holding on to the claim that “guitar music is dead”.
King of cool Lenny Kravitz treated the audience to a ripping three-song medley comprising his 1993 hit Are You Gonna Go My Way, Human – the funk-rock/new-wave track he released earlier this year – and Fly, a trap-ified remake of 1998's Fly Away featuring rapper Quavo. For the special occasion, Kravitz played his 1967 Gibson Flying V, a model that has accompanied him throughout his career.
Lenny Kravitz - "Are You Gonna Go My Way" / "Human" / "Fly" feat. Quavo | 2024 VMAs - YouTube
By incorporating the Flying V into his performance, Kravitz gave a nod to his iconic Are You Gonna Go My Way music video, which features a 1967 frost blue model factory-restored in a very rare custom color.
In the early aughts, Gibson also released a limited-run signature series custom shop model that mirrors the vintage specs of his '67 Flying V, with personal touches like the gold mirrored pickguard, custom neck shape, and black sparkle finish.
In contrast to Kravitz, Halsey brandished a white Fender Telecasterfor her first televised performance of '90s rock-inspired single Ego, from fifth studio album The Great Impersonator, scheduled to be released this October. The artist was also accompanied by Måneskin bassist Victoria De Angelis, who ditched her go-to Danelectro Longhorn Bass for a Fender Precision Bass in a 3-tone sunburst finish.
Crooner Shawn Mendes was the third artist to lean on the guitar for his performance. However, unlike Kravitz and Halsey, Mendes opted for a Martin acoustic and tugged at the heartstrings with soulful new track Nobody Knows. Australian singer-songwriter and guitarist Eddie Benjamin joined him on stage, treating the audience to a sweltering Strat-driven solo.
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In 2022, Martin teamed up with Mendes on the 000JR-10E Custom Signature Edition, based on the artist's own vintage Martin. The model also marked the brand's largest production of 100% FSC-certified guitars and the Treat You Better hitmaker's first official signature guitar.
This year's biggest winners include Sabrina Carpenter, who took home Song of the Year for Espresso, Chappell Roan, who was awarded Best New Artist, Eminem, who won Best Hip-Hop, Lenny Kravitz, who claimed Best Rock, and Taylor Swift, who bagged a total of seven awards.
Janelle is a staff writer at GuitarWorld.com. After a long stint in classical music, Janelle discovered the joys of playing guitar in dingy venues at the age of 13 and has never looked back. Janelle has written extensively about the intersection of music and technology, and how this is shaping the future of the music industry. She also had the pleasure of interviewing Dream Wife, K.Flay, Yīn Yīn, and Black Honey, among others. When she's not writing, you'll find her creating layers of delicious audio lasagna with her art-rock/psych-punk band ĠENN.
