This year, the show kicked off with a startling performance, featuring the iconic Madonna teaming up with Damon Albarn's toon-band Gorillaz. Madge rocked the crowd like no other, and backed by the distinctive band and guest rapper De La Soul, this was an electrifying set the rest of the evening struggled to match.

But boy, they tried.

Several collaborations took centrestage, most notably a mindblowing rendition of One with Mary J Blige joining U2, a seemingly impromptu Higher ground duet by Stevie Wonder and Alicia Keys, and a live mash-up performance from Jay Z, Linkin Park and (hold your breath) Paul McCartney!

Text: Raja Sen | Photographs: Getty Images | Design: Uday Kuckian