BRIT Awards 2011 - Tinie and Arcade Fire steal the show

NEW: New venue, new trophy - but another special night for the BRITS

TONIGHT’S BRIT awards ceremony in London was a colourful and explosive celebration of music, in many different ways.  Canadian indie band Arcade Fire and British rapper Tinie Tempah were the big winners, as both collected two awards at the 02 Arena.  There were also big wins for Take That, Mumford and Sons and Rihanna.

Tinie Tempah was the favourite to storm the ceremony this evening, as he led last month’s nominations with four.  Sure enough, he claimed two awards; for British Breakthrough Act and Best British Single.  His incredible song ‘Pass Out’ held off stiff competition from the likes of bookies favourite Matt Cardle, Plan B and Scouting for Girls amongst others.  However, he missed out on British Male Solo Artist, which went to the brilliant Plan B.  When Elton John compares you as the male version of Amy Winehouse, it might set some alarm bells ringing, but Plan B has the potential to build massively on his second album ‘The Defamation of Strickland Banks,’ and confirmed to host of the show, James Cordon, that he is planning a hip-hop/reggae mix for his next album.

Arcade Fire had struggled to hit the heights before 2010, but ‘The Suburbs,’ was their massive breakthrough.  It was the band’s third album, but it went straight to number one in Canada, the US and the UK and they won the Best International Album award, along with International Group.  The eight-piece group looked stunned to have achieved so much success in the last twelve months; “Thank you Britain, we are so honoured.’  Unlike Tinie Tempah, whose live performance was electric and extravagant, Arcade Fire’s live show was okay, without ever being spectacular.

SUCCESS: Take That picked up another award tonight

Robbie Williams decision to rejoin Take That in the summer of last year was one of the big music headlines in the previous calendar year and they look stronger than ever.  They kicked the glitzy ceremony off full of colour and fireworks which surrounded their performance of ‘Kidz.’  Later in the night, they scooped the British Group award, which means it is now a staggering 20 BRIT wins between Robbie as a solo artist and Take That as a group.  Despite this, ‘Progress,’ a massive seller lost out in the prestigious award category of the evening.  Instead, the MasterCard British Album of the year went to the unfancied Mumford and Sons.  Their album ‘Sigh No More,’ has sold over one million copies, but up against the likes of Take That, Plan B and Tinie Tempah, their chances can’t have been great.

Just like the X-Factor final before Christmas, Rihanna decided not to wear much clothing for her live performance.  Sometimes you wonder if she has heard of the word!  Her miming was ridiculous, the dancers looked horrific and quite frankly, it was one of the worst performances I’ve ever seen in BRITS history.  How some people can see her as a hottie is beyond me!  Nevertheless, Rihanna is a general hit with the British public and she denied Katy Perry a deserved success to claim the International Female Solo Artist. 

Other winners on the night were Jessie J, who was the pre-selected winner of the Critics Choice award.  She follows in the footsteps of ADELE and Florence + the Machine, in becoming the fourth female to win this award.  She looked very emotional on claiming the award from last year’s recipient, Ellie Goulding.  “From the bottom of my heart, thank you for making my dreams come true,” she said, almost bursting into tears.  Cee Lo Green won nothing in 2007, having been nominated three times.  Four years later, he returned to win the Best International Male Solo Artist award, with his no.1 single ‘Forget You’ reaching two million hits in one week on YouTube last year.  16-year old Justin Bieber was the unsurprising winner of the International Breakthrough Act, largely down to the viewers of MTV and there was a total shock in the British Female Solo Artist category, as the unheard Laura Marling beat Cheryl Cole and Ellie Goulding to the prize.

With celebrities on the night ranging from Radio 1’s Fearne Cotton, chatty man Alan Carr, F1 ace Lewis Hamilton and former singer, turned actor Will Young giving out awards, other attention went out to the live performers.  There can be no doubt that ADELE wins in this category.  The 21-year old gave a stunning and spine-tingling performance of her new single, which is currently no.1 in 17 countries.  It left everyone in the 02 Arena in shock!  Plan B’s live routine looked more like a violent episode of The Simpsons.  However, his medley of ‘Prayin’ and ‘She Said’ totally rocked.  Aside from Rihanna and a brave, but forgettable live show from Mumford & Sons, most of the performances live were fairly decent this year, compared with some of the drunk, half-hearted attempts of recent years.  As for James Cordon, his performance as host was mellow and decent, but it never reached the expected heights.  I don’t think he will hang onto this position for the 2012 ceremony.

CHANGE: Dame Vivienne Westwood designed the new style

2010 was an unforgettable year of music across the world and the biggest night in the music calendar year certainly didn’t disappoint.  Let’s see what 2011 will bring, but don’t be too surprised if the stars of this year’s BRITS end up dominating next year’s ceremony too.

BRITS nominations honour Tinie Tempah

DOMINATOR: Tinie Tempah should be the big winner

UK rapper Tinie Tempah is the frontrunner for the 2011 BRIT awards, scooping four nominations.  Star of such hit songs, ‘Pass Out’ and ‘Written in the Stars,’ Tempah looked delighted to have been held in such regard at Thursday’s launch ceremony.  He looks set to have a big blast come the time of the prestigious music ceremony, to be held on February 15 at the 02 Arena. 

He was nominated in all the main British categories ‘British Breakthrough Act’ ‘British Single,’ ‘British Male Solo Artist and ‘British Album of the Year’ for ‘Discovery.  Plan B will go face-to-face with Tinie Tempah in three of these categories.  Mercury Prize winners the xx and Mumford & Sons also appear three times on the shortlists.  There are two nominations for Ellie Goulding, proving that she has come a long way from winning the Critics Choice award in 2010.  The reformed Take That earn a couple of nominations and Cheryl Cole will come up against X-Factor stars Alexandra Burke and 2010 winner Matt Cardle for the ‘British Single’ prize.

DOUBLE: Katy Perry is up for two gongs

Having no nominated album meant that Lady Gaga was missing from the nomination scene, which might be seen as a relief to some, after the show she put in last year in the odd-looking dress that she dedicated to late fashion designer Alexander McQueen.  Without Gaga, the international stage looks weaker that normal and the nominations are shared out this time around.  After a sensational year, which included a high-profile marriage to Russell Brand and three No.1 singles, Katy Perry earns herself two nominations and is possibly unlucky to not receive anymore.  Kings of Leon, Eminem, Arcade Fire and Cee Lo Green also receive a pair of nominations.

The ceremony will once again be broadcasted by ITV and sponsored by MasterCard.  The venue switch to the 02 Arena is a new feature, with the BRITS having been traditionally held at the Royal Albert Hall over the previous decade.  The winning trophy has been radically designed by Vivienne Westwood and ex-Gavin & Stacey star James Cordon will host the show. 

Music is almost ready to have its big night of the year, but it will have to take some shock to stop Tinie Tempah dominating the night.

KEY AWARD NOMINATIONS:

British Breakthrough Act: Tinie Tempah, Ellie Goulding, The xx, Mumford & Sons, Rumer                 International Group: Kings of Leon, Arcade Fire, Vampire Weekend, The Script, Black Eyed Peas   International Male Solo Artist: Cee Lo Green, Kanye West, Eminem, David Guetta, Bruce Springsteen British Female Solo Artist: Ellie Goulding, Cheryl Cole, Rumer, Laura Marling, Paloma Faith                              British Male Solo Artist: Plan B, Tinie Tempah, Mark Ronson, Paul Weller, Robert Plant                    International Female Solo Artist: Rihanna, Katy Perry, Kylie Minogue, Robyn, Alicia Keys                      BritishGroup: Take That,Mumford & Sons, Gorillaz, The xx, Biffy Clyro                                                      MasterCard British Album: ‘Discovery’ – Tinie Tempah, ‘Sigh No More’ – Mumford & Sons, ‘Progress’ – Take That, ‘’Defamation of Strictland Banks’ – Plan B, ‘The xx’ – The xx

The BRIT Awards 2010 - A Celebration of Top-Notch Music

This blog was first published on February 17th at http://happydude88.livejournal.com/

Last night saw music’s biggest night of the year at London’s Earls Court. As ever the BRIT awards didn’t disappoint with a night of questionable fashion dresses, stunning music performances and surprising winners.

The big winner of last night was Lady Gaga. Gaga was nominated in three categories and won in all three for Best International Album, Best International Breakthrough Act & Best International Female Solo Artist. She was very emotional and thanked her fans massively for what she considered, was a major surprise. However, her fashion sense was less to be desired. Once again, Lady Gaga’s personality toppled her music. She clearly was affected by the tragic death of fashion designer, Alexander McQueen last week and her performance live was terrible. It was an unrecognisable piece and by pressing the same button regularly on an electronic keyboard, it felt like a 6-year old could have done a better job. Nevertheless, it was a moving tribute to a sorely missed figure in the fashion industry.

On a British side, JLS were the starring performers, with one of the most breathtaking live performances of the night and two awards. It has been an incredible year for the boy band, the 2008 X-Factor runners-up and the group is probably amongst the biggest band for a generation. They were very gracious and thanked almost everybody for their awards. Their win of Best British Single for ‘Beat Again,’ was a major surprise, as the smart money with the bookmakers was with Cheryl Cole’s hit ‘Fight for this Love.’

Speaking of Cole, it was clear that she is struggling personally with her life at the moment, following further revelations of Ashley Cole’s shocking behaviour, which could well end their marriage. She looked down all night and her performance certainly wasn’t that inspiring. One of the best performances was the much-anticipated duet between Dizzee Rascal and Florence + the Machine. The duet for “You’ve Got the Dirtee Love’ might hit the charts as a charity contribution for the Haiti earthquake appeal. It was a great link and both were big winners too on the night. Dizzee edged out Robbie Williams for the title of Best British Solo Artist and Florence thoroughly deserved her award for the MasterCard Album of the Year, for the stunning album ‘Lungs.’

Funny moments of the nights included Lily Allen’s orange wig disguise so the cameras couldn’t pick up a disappointed face for Best British Female Solo Artist. Unfortunately for Lily, she couldn’t hide from the screen as she won the award, her first BRIT. Plus, it completes a full circle for the outspoken artist, who severely criticised the BRITS for their purpose just three years ago. Six years after their breakthrough, Kasabian finally won their first BRIT for Best British Group. In collecting the award, Tom from the band fell over on the stage, probably leaving him with bruising in the morning. However, the award win will probably make up for that.


Liam Gallagher’s childish acting was the one low point of the entire night. Oasis won the Best British Album for 30 Years, (celebrating the 30th anniversary), but didn’t thank his brother Noel on stage, following their bitter split last August. He then chucked his microphone and BRIT award into the crowd, reportedly smashing Alan Carr’s glasses. Gallagher was then called a k##b by the presenter, Peter Kay and rightly so. It was a shameful act and his expletives used in the ITV2 after-party show suggested it wasn’t a heat-in-the-moment incident.

To finish off, Robbie Williams is well and truly back. His medley concert performance at the end, to celebrate winning the BRIT Outstanding Contribution Award was sensational. He delighted the crowd with a showcase of old and new songs, anyone who can question Robbie’s well-being should think again about what they are saying if they watch his performance last night.

The BRIT awards in recent years have been dismal, with drunken performances, low-quality presenters and a distinct lack of organisation. However, it returned to its glamorous days last night, and apart from one individual who tried to ruin things, it was a great ceremony and probably a spectacular party. 2009 was a great year for UK music, let’s hope 2010 continues the tread…