New York ? After two years in Las Vegas, the MTV Video Music Awards are back home tonight in Manhattan at Radio City Music Hall, where they debuted 25 years ago.

But MTV isn’t big on looking back and the awards show’s executive producer, Dave Sirulnick, says this year’s edition will make the most of its New York setting (think “West Side Story”-inspired live shots) while being focused on the future.

“We like change,” says Sirulnick, adding that there will also be a tribute to Michael Jackson. “We embrace change.”

Janet Jackson will open the VMAs with the tribute to her late brother.

That change extends to the performances, where newcomers Lady Gaga — tied for top nominee with Beyonce, both up for nine awards — and Taylor Swift will be onstage alongside superstars Jay-Z and Green Day.

Q: What can you say about the performances?

A: If you’ve been watching what Lady Gaga’s been doing all year long, I would say that’s all been an appetizer for what she’s going to do for this show. She is coming with something quite spectacular. … She is somebody who has told us that she has grown up watching the VMAs and watching all the iconic and legendary VMA performances and how meaningful it is for her to have her chance.

Q: That must happen a lot.

A: The VMA performances have sort of become a proving ground. It’s like this real big game of “Top That!” Can you get over on this stage? I think it’s because of the legacy of so many talented performers over the years. … Performances over the years have helped define elements of people’s careers, especially up-and-coming artists. When you’re performing on the VMAs and your career is on the ascension, it’s your moment. What are you going to do with it? use the platform of the VMAs, the freedom of the VMAs, and the knowledge that their peers and this audience are going to be watching them. They know that if you nail a VMA performance, it will be remembered.

THE NOMINATIONS:

Video of the Year

Beyonce, “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)”

Eminem, “We Made You”

Lady Gaga, “Poker Face”

Britney Spears, “Womanizer”

Kanye West, “Love Lockdown”

Best New Artist

3OH!3

Drake

Kid Cudi

Lady Gaga

Asher Roth

Best Male Video

Eminem, “We Made You”

Jay-Z, “D.O.A (Death of Auto-Tune)”

Kanye West, “Love Lockdown”

Ne-Yo, “Miss Independent”

T.I. featuring Rihanna, “Live Your Life”

Best Female Video

Beyonce, “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)”

Kelly Clarkson, “My Life Would Suck Without You”

Lady Gaga, “Poker Face”

Katy Perry, “Hot ‘N Cold”

Pink, “So What”

Taylor Swift, “You Belong With Me”