Arctic Monkeys burst pop bubble

23 February 2008

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Next we were reminded that while the BRITs may be a big deal for us, the biggest superstars across the pond in the US don't necessarily feel the need to hop on a transatlantic flight to join the revelries, as Kanye West accepted his Best International Male Solo Artist award with a recorded video massage.

He typically modest fashion, he told the audience: "I'm sure there's someone out there who deserves this award more than me, I'm just not sure who that is."

Beth Ditto's announcement of the next winner offered up perhaps the biggest shock of the night, with super producer Mark Ronson stunning Mika fans by walking away with the award for Best British Male Solo Artist.

For a man who had won a Grammy just weeks earlier, Ronson seemed touchingly overwhelmed and utterly filled with pride as he told the crowd: "I don't think I've ever felt more male or British in my entire life."

The next category threw up perhaps the biggest robbery of the night.

Kylie Minogue is undoubtedly something akin to a national treasure over here, despite being Australian, but only the most sentimental could argue she deserved to vanquish the all-conquering chart queen of 2007, Rihanna, to be named Best International Female Solo Artist.

As if to prove the point Rihanna gave one of the performances of the night when she sang her monster hit 'Umbrella' with backing from the Klaxons.

But win Kylie did, to be greeted by a reception almost as big as the one reserved for Sir Paul McCartney later in the night. Fighting back tears, she told us what we could all see clearly for ourselves, that she was incredibly touched and "overcome" by her victory.

Singing live is what got former 'X Factor' winner Leona Lewis where she is today, and when she took to the stage looking stunning in a flowing purple gown to carry out a note perfect performance of her hit 'Bleeding Love' it was abundantly clear why she is being tipped to become the UK's first reality show creation to cast a spell on US audiences.

Leona may have missed out on all four awards she was nominated for - British Breakthrough Act, British Single, British Album, and in perhaps the biggest shock, British Female Solo Artist to Kate Nash - but by the time the BRITs come round next year it would come as no surprise if she had established herself as a genuine global superstar.

Foo Fighters joined Kanye West in the 'too internationally all-conquering to deem BRITs attendance necessary' category, picking up Best International Group via a video message. After displaying somewhat unconvincing gratitude in the first recorded acceptance speech, frontman Dave Grohl later gave up all pretence that he cared. In response to winning a second BRIT, as their LP 'Echoes Silence Patience and Grace' was named Best International Album he declared with mock seriousness: "Huey Lewis and the News, Bros, Kula Shaker, MC Hammer, Culture Club.

"These are all people who have won BRIT Awards. I'm glad to see we've graduated to such lofty ranks. Sorry we couldn't be there, but we've just sold out Madison Square Garden."

Next came one of the highlights of the night. Mark Ronson took to the stage with his red guitar to perform a medley of covers from his album 'Version'. First to join him on stage was Critic's Choice winner Adele for their take on Coldplay's 'God Put a Smile Upon Your Face'.

Adele was followed-up by Daniel Merriweather, who joined with Ronson for their cover of The Smith's 'Stop Me', but it was the third collaborator everyone had been waiting for.

Amy Winehouse suddenly appeared in a pencil skirt sporting her trademark black beehive bonce to belt out the pair's BRIT-nominated version of The Zutons' 'Valerie'. In her first appearance since a high profile stint in rehab Amy did what she does best - she rocked the joint. She may not have looked entirely comfortable on stage, sporting a somewhat dazed expression, and bizarrely hitching her skirt up alarmingly high as she sang, but the power and precision of her unique voice made none of her eccentricities matter. Given her litany of drug-fuelled, haphazard live showings in recent times it certainly appears rehab has done the phenomenonally talented singer some good.

She proved the point once again later in the evening with an impressive performance of her own hit 'Love is a Losing Game'. The troubled star also reminded us of her fragile private life, ending the song by entreating the crowds to "make some noise" for Blake Fielder-Civil, her much chastised husband who currently languishes in London's Pentonville Prison awaiting trail on charges of grievous bodily harm and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Amy's first performance was followed by one of the most coveted categories - British Group. With Arctic Monkeys, Editors and the Kaiser Chiefs on the list of nominees next to Girls Aloud and Take That, this was always going to be the moment of truth. Everyone braced themselves for the indie grip on the big categories to finally be ripped free. Everyone braced themselves, but it didn't happen.

Suddenly, it was like we were back in the 90s, as a drunken group of rock stars trooped on stage with a true indie "we don't care about awards" attitude.

Clad in country gentleman hunting gear, complete with walking sticks and a plastic duck, the Arctic Monkeys were clearly the worse for wear. After frontman Alex Turner slurred a few words about agreeing they are "fantastic", they were swiftly ushered off stage by Kelly Osbourne.

It wouldn't be long before they were back. A small intervention from Take That picking up the publicly-voted for Best British Single for the second year running and the fourth time in their careers for 'Shine', and the Arctics were back to triumph in the British Album category with their second LP 'Favourite Worst Nightmare'.

Addressing himself to a group of pupils from the BRIT School, the Croydon-based academy that produced Adele and Amy Winehouse among others, Turner began pretending he was a graduate and mockingly pointing out faces he recognised among the crowd. Again, the Osbournes had to intervene.

Indie rock had emerged from the background to steal the day once more, but ultimately it didn't matter. The evening belonged to one man - Sir Paul McCartney. Brought on to the stage by Kylie Minogue to collect his Outstanding Achievement award the 65-year-old former Beatle said: "I was privileged to be in The Quarrymen, The Beatles and Wings. I do think British music is the best."

He then closed the show by proving his point, running through tracks including his infectious recent hit 'Dance Tonight', The Beatles' hits 'Get Back' and 'Hey Jude', and The Wings' 'Live and Let Die', which he dedicated to his late wife Linda.

As he sang the song, which was written by the couple in 1973, a video

chronicling Paul's remarkable life was screened which included stills of vegetarian

photographer Linda and images of his time with The Beatles.

All thoughts of his messy divorce from Heather Mills briefly disappeared as everyone remembered exactly why this man is a national treasure. He may have received the award before with The Beatles back at the inaugural BRITs in 1977, but no-one could doubt he deserves every accolade he gets.

Suddenly, pop versus indie no longer mattered. McCartney had reminded us exactly what everyone was there to celebrate - great music, whatever the genre.

BRIT Awards 2008 full list of winners:

Best British Album

Arctic Monkeys, 'Favourite Worst Nightmare'

Best British Male Solo Artist

Mark Ronson

Best British Female Solo Artist

Kate Nash

Best British Group

Arctic Monkeys

Best British Single

Take That, 'Shine'

British Breakthrough Act

Mika

Best British Live Act

Take That

Best International Male Solo Artist

Kanye West

Best International Female Solo Artist

Kylie Minogue

Best International Group

Foo Fighters

Best International Album

Foo Fighters, 'Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace'

Critic's Choice

Adele

Outstanding Contribution

Sir Paul McCartney

By Robbie McIntyre

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