Katy Perry made her Malta debut at Isle of MTV Malta 2026, bringing her acclaimed European summer tour to Il-Fosos Square for a full headline concert alongside dance music powerhouse AFROJACK and Maltese star AIDAN. Now in its 18th year and staged by MTV in partnership with the Malta Tourism Authority, Isle of MTV Malta is Europe's biggest free summer festival. Isle of MTV Malta will premiere across MTV's international networks on 18 September 2026.
The global pop superstar delivered a career-spanning run of era-defining hits alongside her new single, Watch It Burn. Opening with California Gurls, Katy Perry led the audience through colour, humour and spectacle, complete with striking choreography and costumes. Her costumes included the original outfit she wore in a 2009 MTV VMA promo campaign, which she will donate to benefit her Firework Foundation through Fandiem.
She balanced the showmanship with moments of genuine intimacy, speaking candidly during an acoustic Roar about recently having "lost her roar" before finding it again, with a heartfelt message on kindness and perseverance. From fan-cams beaming the audience onto giant screens to a playful trip into the crowd inside an oversized water bottle, Katy Perry built a deeply personal connection with fans before squirting "sunscreen" over the front rows and closing on a triumphant Firework.
Closing the evening, AFROJACK brought Isle of MTV Malta 2026 to an explosive finish with a high-energy set packed with dancefloor favourites, towering visuals and his trademark festival sound. Performing in front of a giant screen and accompanied by MC Ambush, the global dance music star fed off the energy of the crowd throughout the night, shaping the performance in real time as confetti blasts, stunning visuals and bursts of flames transformed Il-Fosos Square into an open-air dancefloor.
Earlier in the evening, AIDAN, the island's most successful No. 1 artist, delighted the home crowd with a hit-filled performance showcasing the tracks that have established him as one of Malta's leading performers, alongside new material from his latest album, Cowboys Don't Cry. Joined by his dancers and band, Malta's Eurovision 2026 representative delivered a confident and crowd-pleasing set that was met with a rapturous reception from the crowd.
Performances from musicians and DJs including Jamie Cardona and Mychael Bartolo Chircop built the atmosphere throughout the festival, showcasing some of Malta's leading emerging and established talent.
The festival forms part of Isle of MTV Malta Music Week, a series of club nights and events taking place across the island's most popular venues from 22-26 July 2026. Tickets for Isle of MTV Malta Music Week are available from isleofmtv.com.