The 2013 MTV Video Music Awards will go down tonight (Aug. 25) at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. -- but not all the performers will take the stage inside Jay-Z's home turf. Show closer Katy Perry will perform outside the venue ... and under a bridge!

Is this a metaphor for literal trolls to the Internet trolls who keep pitting her against show opener Lady Gaga?

Us Weekly reports that Perry will take the biggest borough by storm, but it wasn't a smooth ride planning it all along. Perry originally wanted to perform atop the bridge, but New York City wouldn't grant the John Mayer paramour a permit to do so.

Perry's performance will also feature a killer mic -- almost literally. Check out this shot she posted on Instagram of her custom, brass-knuckled 'ROAR' microphone!

More From KISS 104.1