Taylor Swift & Muse To Perform At VMAs, Russell Brand Returns As Host

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Taylor Swift performs on the 2009 CMT Music Awards at the Sommett Center on June 16, 2009 in Nashville
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Russell Brand attends BAFTA/LA’s 2nd Annual British Comedy Festival at Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles on May 8, 2009 in Los Angeles
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Taylor Swift poses for photographs at the 2009 CMA Music Festival at LP Field on June 14, 2009 in Nashville, Tennessee
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Matthew Bellamy of British rock group Muse performs live on stage during the fifth night of a series of concerts and events in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust organised by charity Patron Roger Daltrey, at the Royal Albert Hall on April 12, 2008 in London
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Funnyman Russell Brand strikes a pose at Diddy’s annual White Party for Malaria No More in LA on July 4, 2009

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FIRST PUBLISHED: July 14, 2009 10:14 AM EDT
LAST UPDATED: July 14, 2009 11:13 AM EDT

NEW YORK, N.Y. --

Taylor Swift and British rock group Muse are the first two performers announced for the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards – and despite his controversial first hosting gig, British funnyman Russell Brand is returning.

The evening will feature performances by today’s most popular artists, staged all over Manhattan, including Radio City Music Hall, and will feature appearances by the biggest names in music, television and film.

For her first VMA performance, country-pop superstar Swift will sing a never before heard version of “You Belong With Me,” off her multi-platinum album “Fearless.”

“I’m so excited that MTV and the VMAs have invited me to perform, because I think this year’s show will be unlike anything they’ve ever done!” she said in statement released to Access Hollywood.

And according to the country cutie, fans should be ready for something electrifying.

“I love incorporating theatrics into my performances,” she continued. “And the VMAs have always allowed artists to run with that. MTV has been so good to me, and I could not be more excited about this year’s VMAs.”

Marking their first ever TV performance in the U.S., British rockers Muse will debut their latest single, “Uprising,” from their upcoming album “The Resistance.”

“We are honored to be invited to play at the VMAs which will be our first ever U.S. TV performance, and the first ever U.S. performance of our debut single from our new album ‘The Resistance’ coming out September 15th in the U.S., and of course another great excuse to hang out in New York City for a few days!” Matt Bellamy of Muse said.

And despite teasing the Jonas Brothers about their purity rings at last year’s show, MTV asked Russell back to lead the show.

“We are thrilled that despite numerous death threats from Jonas Brothers fans, Russell Brand has accepted our offer to put his life on the line and host the VMAs again this year,” Stephen Friedman, GM of MTV, said.

As for Russell, he’s promising a kinder, gentler and more sensual VMAs.

“This year will be a controversy free festival of love and discrete orgasms,” Russell joked.

MTV’s 26th annual Video Music Awards will air live from New York City on Sunday, September 13, 2009 at 9 PM.

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