Stars stake out Stockholm for MTV Europe Awards

Ricky Martin, Madonna, and Britney Spears are nominees for the MTV Europe Music Awards

(CNN) -- Madonna, Ricky Martin and Robbie Williams are joining a host of rock stars and roadies making a pilgrimage to the land of ABBA for the MTV Europe Music Awards. Those three are also among the nominees slated to perform at the seventh annual gala on Thursday at the Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden.

Williams, who is suffering from severe stomach disorder and exhaustion, is defying doctors' orders to rest and instead will perform a duet with Australian disco diva Kylie Minogue, his spokesman says.

He and the British dance group Sonique lead the competition with four nominations each. Both are vying for best United Kingdom and Ireland act, and best song (Williams' "Rock the DJ" and Sonique's "It Feels So Good"). Williams' other nominations include best male artist and best pop act. Sonique also is in the running for best new act and best dance act.

Rapper Eminem, rock group Bon Jovi, Madonna, Britney Spears, Scottish pop band Travis and Melanie C have earned three nominations each.

Melanie C, aka Sporty Spice, plans to join fellow Spice Girls on stage to perform. Other performers include Jennifer Lopez, who has decided to debut her new single "Love Don't Cost a Thing" at the show. And the Backstreet Boys will grab the spotlight, before launching a 100-hour tour of six continents.

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Other performers on the bill include U2, Moby and Ronan Keating. Haitian hip-hop artist Wyclef Jean has been tapped to host.

Stockholm is preparing a warm-up to the event, staging a massive music festival across the city on Wednesday. Organizers say 600 artists and musicians will perform live music in 30 venues from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m local time.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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MTV Europe

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