One Direction can't wait to greet some of their favourite musicians at tonight's VMAs.

The British boy band whose members include Liam Payne, Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson will be performing at the MTV Video Music Awards for the first time in Los Angeles Thursday night.

A number of celebrities will make an appearance at the ceremony and the boys can't wait to meet these esteemed musicians.

"We're excited to see Green Day, cause growing up Green Day were like one of the big bands around of our generation," Niall told MTV News.

"So it'd be exciting to meet them. Obviously Pink. Yeah, Frank Ocean. Pink, Taylor Swift, Rihanna.

"I think it'd be nice to meet Pink [because] she kind of does her own thing. It's going to be nerve-racking, but we're trying to do our best."

Liam is keen on meeting his best-loved rapper.

"I want to meet Jay-Z," he revealed.

Zayn is most interested in introducing himself to another hip hopper.

"Frank Ocean's performing. I'm excited to see that," he gushed.

Louis has one pop songstress in particular on his mind.

"All the single ladies? I think it'd be nice to see Katy Perry again. We've seen her a few times now," he said.

One Direction has been nominated for Best New Artist and Best Pop Video.