On 9th February 2005, Chris Evans hosted what was billed as the 25th anniversary BRIT Awards show (history seems to prefer to pretend that the first show was in 1981, rather than 1977). The venue was Earls Court in London, and an average of 6.3 million people watched the coverage the following day on ITV.
This post is part of a series about the history of the BRIT Awards. You can read about the 2004 ceremony here, and the 2006 ceremony next time.
MasterCard British Album
Presented by Clive Owen. Nominees:
- Franz Ferdinand – Franz Ferdinand
- Keane – Hopes and Fears
- Muse – Absolution
- Snow Patrol – Final Straw
- The Streets – A Grand Don’t Come for Free
Winner: Keane
Best British Single
Voted for by listeners of independent radio, and presented by Minnie Driver. Nominees:
- Band Aid 20 – Do They Know It’s Christmas?
- Jamelia – Thank You
- LMC vs. U2 – Take Me to the Clouds Above
- Shapeshifters – Lola’s Theme
- Will Young – Your Game
Winner: Will Young
Best British Male
Presented by Naomi Harris. Nominees:
- Jamie Cullum
- Lemar
- Morrissey
- The Streets
- Will Young
Winner: The Streets
Best British Female
Presented by Lisa Stansfield. Nominees:
- Natasha Bedingfield
- Jamelia
- PJ Harvey
- Joss Stone
- Amy Winehouse
Winner: Joss Stone
Best British Group
Presented by Sharon and Kelly Osbourne. Nominees:
- Franz Ferdinand
- Kasabian
- Keane
- Muse
- Snow Patrol
Winner: Franz Ferdinand
Best British Breakthrough Act
Voted for by listeners of BBC Radio 1, and presented by Jo Whiley. Nominees:
- Natasha Bedingfield
- Franz Ferdinand
- Keane
- Joss Stone
- The Zutons
Winner: Keane
Best British Rock Act
Voted for by viewers of Kerrang TV, and presented by Brian May. Nominees:
- Franz Ferdinand
- Kasabian
- The Libertines
- Muse
- Snow Patrol
Winner: Franz Ferdinand
Best British Urban Act
Voted for by viewers of MTV Base, and presented by Jazzy B. Nominees:
- Dizzee Rascal
- Jamelia
- Lemar
- Joss Stone
- The Streets
Winner: Joss Stone
Best British Live Act
Voted for by The Live Music Forum, and presented by Shirley Manson from Garbage. Nominees:
- Jamie Cullum
- Franz Ferdinand
- Kasabian
- The Libertines
- Muse
Winner: Muse
Best Pop Act
Voted for by viewers of CD:UK and readers of The Sun, and presented by Jodie Kidd. Nominees:
- Natasha Bedingfield
- Girls Aloud
- Avril Lavigne
- McFly
- Westlife
Winner: McFly
Best International Album
Presented by Siouxsie Sioux. Nominees:
- The Killers – Hot Fuss
- Maroon 5 – Songs About Jane
- Outkast – Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
- Scissor Sisters – Scissor Sisters
- U2 – How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb
Winner: Scissor Sisters
Best International Male
Presented by Natalie Imbruglia. Nominees:
- Eminem
- Usher
- Tom Waits
- Kanye West
- Brian Wilson
Winner: Eminem
Best International Female
Presented by Charlie Creed Miles. Nominees:
- Anastacia
- Kelis
- Alicia Keys
- Kylie Minogue
- Gwen Stefani
Winner: Gwen Stefani
Best International Group
Nominees:
- Green Day
- Maroon 5
- Outkast
- Scissor Sisters
- U2
Winner: Scissor Sisters
Best International Breakthrough Act
Presented by Simon Pegg. Nominees:
- Jet
- The Killers
- Maroon 5
- Scissor Sisters
- Kanye West
Winner: Scissor Sisters
Outstanding Contribution to Music
Presented by Jools Holland.
Winner: Bob Geldof
BRITS 25 Best Song Award
Chosen by listeners of BBC Radio 2. Presented by Matt Lucas and David Walliams in character as Mark Owen and Howard Donald from Take That respectively. Nominees:
- ABC – The Look of Love
- Bee Gees – Night Fever
- David Bowie – Heroes
- Kate Bush – Wuthering Heights
- The Clash – London Calling
- Coldplay – Yellow
- Peter Gabriel – Sledgehammer
- David Gray – Babylon
- The Jam – That’s Entertainment
- Elton John – Sacrifice
- Joy Division – Love Will Tear Us Apart
- Annie Lennox – Why?
- Massive Attack – Unfinished Sympathy
- George Michael – Careless Whisper
- Oasis – Wonderwall
- Queen – We are the Champions
- Seal – Kiss from a Rose
- Simply Red – Holding Back the Years
- Spandau Ballet – True
- Rod Stewart – I Don’t Want to Talk About it
- Sting – Fields of Gold
- The Stranglers – Golden Brown
- The Streets – Dry Your Eyes
- Robbie Williams – Angels
- Will Young – Leave Right Now
The top five entries made it from round 1 to the final list of nominees, leaving:
- Kate Bush – Wuthering Heights
- Joy Division – Love Will Tear Us Apart
- Queen – We are the Champions
- Robbie Williams – Angels
- Will Young – Leave Right Now
Winner: Robbie Williams
Performances
- Daniel Bedingfield / Natasha Bedingfield – Ain’t Nobody
- Franz Ferdinand – Take Me Out
- Green Day – American Idiot
- Gwen Stefani – What You Waiting For?
- Jamelia / Lemar – Addicted to Love
- Joss Stone / Robbie Williams – Right to Be Wrong / Angels
- Keane – Everybody’s Changing
- Snoop Dogg / Pharrell – What’s My Name?
- Scissor Sisters – Take Your Mama
- Bob Geldof – I Don’t Like Mondays
- The Streets – Dry Your Eyes
Further Reading / Viewing
- 2005 on brits.co.uk
- 2005 BRIT Awards on Wikipedia
- BBC News, listing winners and nominees
- BBC News coverage for the 2012 awards, stating the number of viewers
- The Guardian extended coverage
- BRIT Awards 2005 – double CD and DVD
