This is one of those all-too-common posts where you probably know more about the subject than I do, but I still feel as though we should pay some lip service to the fortieth anniversary BRIT Awards!
This year’s ceremony was the 37th altogether, and celebrated many late geniuses, with statuette designed by Zaha Hadid, a tribute to George Michael, and several wins for David Bowie. It took place at The O2 in London on 22nd February, and was hosted by Dermot O’Leary and Emma Willis, who stepped in for Michael Bublé at the last minute.
Performances at the show came from Little Mix, Bruno Mars, Emeli Sandé, The 1975, Chris Martin, Katy Perry and Skip Marley, The Chainsmokers and Coldplay, Ed Sheeran feat. Stormzy, and Robbie Williams.
British Artist Video
Presented by Simon Cowell and Nicole Scherzinger. The nominees:
- Adele – Send My Love (To Your New Lover)
- James Arthur – Say You Won’t Let Go
- Clean Bandit feat. Sean Paul & Anne-Marie – Rockabye
- Coldplay – Hymn For The Weekend
- Calvin Harris feat. Rihanna – This Is What You Came For
- Jonas Blue feat. Dakota – Fast Car
- Little Mix feat. Sean Paul – Hair
- One Direction – History
- Tinie Tempah feat. Zara Larsson – Girls Like
- Zayn – Pillowtalk
Winner: One Direction
British Breakthrough Act
Presented by Nick Grimshaw and Rita Ora. The nominees:
- Anne-Marie
- Blossoms
- Rag ‘n’ Bone Man
- Skepta
- Stormzy
The winner: Rag ‘n’ Bone Man
Critics’ Choice Award
Presented by Emeli Sandé. The nominees:
- Anne-Marie
- Dua Lipa
- Rag ‘n’ Bone Man
The winner: Rag ‘n’ Bone Man, which surely must be cheating?
MasterCard British Album of the Year
Presented by Noel Gallagher. The nominees:
- Davie Bowie – Blackstar
- Kano – Made in the Manor
- Michael Kiwanuka – Love & Hate
- The 1975 – i like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it
- Skepta – Konnichiwa
The winner: David Bowie
British Female Solo Artist
Presented by David Tennant. The nominees:
- Anohni
- Ellie Goulding
- Lianne La Havas
- Nao
- Emeli Sandé
The winner: Emeli Sandé
British Male Solo Artist
Presented by Zane Lowe. The nominees:
- David Bowie
- Craig David
- Kano
- Michael Kiwanuka
- Skepta
The winner: David Bowie
British Group
Presented by Maisie Williams and Romesh Ranganathan. The nominees:
- Bastille
- Biffy Clyro
- Little Mix
- The 1975
- Radiohead
The winner: The 1975
British Single
Presented by Fearne Cotton and Holly Willoughby. The nominees:
- James Arthur – Say You Won’t Let Go
- Calum Scott – Dancing On My Own
- Clean Bandit feat. Sean Paul & Anne-Marie – Rockabye
- Coldplay – Hymn For The Weekend
- Calvin Harris feat. Rihanna – This Is What You Came For
- Jonas Blue feat. Dakota – Fast Car
- Little Mix – Shout Out To My Ex
- Tinie Tempah feat. Zara Larsson – Girls Like
- Alan Walker – Faded
- Zayn – Pillowtalk
Winner: Little Mix
International Female Solo Artist
Presented by Alice Levine, Clara Amfo, and Laura Jackson. The nominees:
- Beyoncé
- Christine and the Queens
- Rihanna
- Sia
- Solange
The winner: Beyoncé
International Male Solo Artist
Also, presented by Alice Levine, Clara Amfo, and Laura Jackson. The nominees:
- Bon Iver
- Leonard Cohen
- Drake
- Bruno Mars
- The Weeknd
The winner: Drake
International Group
Since they were still around, this was also presented by Alice Levine, Clara Amfo, and Laura Jackson. The nominees:
- Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds
- Drake & Future
- Kings of Leon
- A Tribe Called Quest
- Twenty One Pilots
The winner: A Tribe Called Quest
BRITs Global Success
Presented by Naomi Campbell and Jonathan Ross
The winner: Adele
BRITs Icon Award
Because this is getting like the Q Awards with its multitude of identically-named awards. Presented by Take That.
Winner: Robbie Williams. Which I can’t help but feel reflects his success at the BRITs more than it does his performance generally, but well done to him anyway!
