When do you think is better for an artist to perform, in the beginning or at the end of a show?

Opening is everything

Doesn't matter, really.
As long as you slay or you have a controversial performance you will owN the night

Opening is always better.

Sets the tone for the whole show.

Opening sets the mood tbh

Closing, you'll be the one people remember and even if you suck you can ride off the controversy.

Opening a show is a mess because someone later on might outperform you.

Nobody remembers who closed the VMA's at any given year, lbr

Opening performance are more exciting

I definitely think the opening slot is preferable in most instances. How many people are still tuned in by the time the third hour of broadcast rolls around?

closing. But they are both important slots.

closing

Opening. I'm pretty sure that ratings are at their lowest by the very end of the show, especially after the VOTY is announced.

Oop at the ratings going up during the shows closing.

Opening, people will tune OUT for a closing performance.

Name one song that benefited seriously from the VMA closings plz

Closing, that way you're the last thing the viewers see

Both.

Because of our memory, we remember the first things and last things out of a list we see. So that means that we'll remember Gaga's performance and Katy's more, especially if they're both good.

The opening sets the tone for the other performances and every performance after is going to be compared to it.

The closing has the highest ratings so the artist MAY get the most exposure.

The opening may draw people in FOR the actual performance though because they won't have to sift through commercials/awards

The closing people aren't necessarily there for the performance, but the big VOTY prize

Opening performances are way more memorable, for some reason.

Yet I bet you can't name who closed the previous shows without running to Google

Exactly my thoughts!

Opening is much better imo. You have to set the tone for the entire night and that usually pushes people to put on a better performance. MTV will lose viewers if the opening is bad but if it's good & intriguing people are gonna wanna stay to see what else is up for grabs. The closing is important too bc you get that final hit & it's what people walk away with.

If you're out for a stardom push then you wanna open.
If you're out for song promo then you wanna be the closer.

At least that's how I see it.