21/02/2008

Live Or Let Die As Monkeys Take Main Brit Award

Arctic Monkeys took home the top prize at the Brit awards last night; some things never change, and the Brit Awards are certainly one of them.

Infamous for its drunken acceptance speeches, cringe inspiring presenters and generally awful taste in winners, the Brits lived up to its reputation completely.

While it was Lifetime Achievement award winner, Sir Paul McCartney’s performance that all but saved the show it was perhaps with a message for the organisers and one of the ceremony's few highlights, as his epic performance of Live and Let Die included a less than subtle message that enough is enough.

Hosted by the Osbourne family perched on thrones and surrounded by 12 foot sphinx-esque dogs and a totem pole adorned with a skull and gigantic bat, the family just managed to make their way through proceedings without too much embarrassment, until an unexpected outburst from Sharon Osborne during some joking around by Vic Reeves as he presented the second award to Arctic Monkeys.

The Monkeys had turned up at the awards satirically dressed as country gents, complete with hunting horn and pipes. The band had refused to attend the awards last year, and its fair to say this will probably be their last attendance after organisers cut off their acceptance speech for best album.

Most of the awards were dominated by the biggest pop acts of the moment with Kylie, Kate Nash and Mika all receiving awards. They say the worst act gets the most dancers, and true to form, X-Factor winner Leona Lewis was surrounded by an army of them for her rendition of Bleeding Love.

The weight now carried by the award ceremony has steeply declined in recent years, manifesting in none of the international Brit nominees even turning up at all. Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighter's acceptance speech was riddled with sarcasm, obviously miffed with the Brit Academy's late recognition of his bands achievements.

The live performances were certainly not shy of extravagance, with Mika being joined on stage by Beth Ditto of The Gossip for a slightly laboured version of Standing In The Way Of Control.

Rihanna and the Klaxons joined forces for yet another remixed version of Umberella accompanied by an admittedly spectacular laser show, with highlights also including Mark Ronson’s valiant performance with a fairly wobbly Amy Winehouse.

The Award winners were:
  • British male solo artist: Mark Ronson
  • British female solo artist: Kate Nash
  • British album:Arctic Monkeys, Favourite Worst Nightmare
  • British breakthrough act: Mika
  • British live act: Take That
  • International male solo artist: Kanye West
  • International female solo artist: Kylie Minogue
  • International group: Foo Fighters
  • International album: Foo Fighters, Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace
  • Critics' choice: Adele
  • Outstanding contribution award: Paul McCartney
(DW)

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