Last night, the first live incarnation of the YouTube Music Awards streamed online with epic performances by artists like Arcade Fire, Lady Gaga, Eminem, and more which you can stream above. With the scripts thrown out, the event was a natural, genuine spectacle with plenty of laughs, and more than a couple awkward-yet-earnest moments.

Under the creative gaze of Spike Jonze, hosts Jason Schwartzman and Reggie Watts killed it while guiding viewers through the maze-like Pier 36 in Manhattan. The space was filled with sets that became "live music videos," allowing a range of artists to one-up the typical award show performances we see year after year.

Arcade Fire opened the show with a Jonze-directed performance of "Afterlife," in which Greta Gerwig showed off her dance chops alongside angel-faced children.

Lena Dunham wrote a choose your own adventure video soundtracked by Avicii and directed by Creators Project collaborator Chris Milk. The story involved a love triangle with Michael Shannon and Vanessa Hudgens in the starring (and star-crossed) roles.

In typical M.I.A. fashion, she made a colorful entrance and kept the iridescent vibes flowing under director Fafi's helm.

Dubstep-washed, violin guru Lindsey Stirling collaborated with director Ray Tintori to create a live performance as grandiose as the musician's past videos like "Crystallize."

See more performances by artists like Lady Gaga and Eminem (who also took home the Artist Of The Year award) above, and see the whole list of winners here.

What was your favorite moment from the award show last night? Ours might have been when Reggie Watts mumbled "don't hold the [play button-shaped] award backwards or we'll go back in time!" Let us know your favorites below!

YTMA