This year has been hugely successful for British artists, who have been producing hit-after-hit not only in the UK, but across the world. Possibly the most successful artist worldwide through 2011 was Adele, whose album ‘21’ topped the chart in 27 countries. It seemed just by all viewers of the ITV awards ceremony that Adele’s record-breaking album should win the show’s cult award ‘Mastercard British Album of the Year’. As the night drew to a close and the prestigious award was announced, the predictions of the public were correct and Adele beat Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, Florence & The Machine, as well as Mercury Music Prize winner PJ Harvey, to the accolade.
Every year at the BRITs, the tradition of controversy is normally upheld, whereby a star will collect an award in a drunken manner and swear, or in the case of Liam Gallagher, throw their award into the crowd. As the ceremony neared its end, the annual controversy reared its ugly head as host, James Corden, was forced to interrupt Adele’s acceptance speech to prevent the night from over-running any further. ITV have had to follow the incident with a formal apology to the songstress, who wished to thank her fans for their continued loyalty.
The preceding awards all ran rather smoothly, with the show beginning with the award for Best British Female, which saw Essex’s very own Jessie J pitted against Florence & The Machine, Kate Bush, last year’s winner Laura Marling, and Adele. Adele was tipped for the top, and beat Romford’s Jessica Cornish to the prize. Jessie, who appeared in a revealing, lacy, red gown, was seen humbly applauding and cheering for the star.
Jessie J was later nominated in the British Breakthrough Artist category, which was won by Ed Sheeran, who seemed to be the most unassuming artist on the bill, performing later in just jeans and a T-Shirt. Ed, who was nominated for the most awards with four, also won Best British Male, taking his BRIT-tally to two in just his first year of the ceremony.
Following on from Jessie’s win in 2011, this year saw the Critics Choice award given to upcoming Scottish singer, Emeli Sandé.
After one of the most spectacular opening performances that the BRITs have ever seen with their song Charlie Brown, complete with lights and lasers, Coldplay topped one of the toughest categories of the ceremony – Best British Group, beating Kasabian, Arctic Monkeys, Chase & Status and Elbow to the prize.
One of the few awards voted for by the public, Best British Single, is always a sought after award, with 10 of the year’s biggest tracks fighting out for the prize.
With three of Essex’s biggest artists, up for the award, Jessie J’s ‘Price Tag’, Pixie Lott’s ‘All About Tonight’, as well as Olly Murs with ‘Heart Skips A Beat’, it would have been fantastic for one of these artists to take the prize. However, teen-favourite’s One Direction triumphed with their debut single ‘What Makes You Beautiful’.
Despite not winning in his category, Olly Murs was flying the flag for Essex as he took to the stage to perform his Number One hit single, ‘Heart Skips A Beat’. After jumping onto the stage to the first beats of the song, the electrifying performance was completed with 70 backing dancers, as well as pop-duo Rizzle Kicks who feature on the song.
Other performances came from Florence & The Machine, Noel Gallagher, as well as Adele, whose performance was highly anticipated following her sensational performance of ‘Someone Like You’ the previous year.
All the way from the US, Bruno Mars and Rihanna appeared, both with tremendous performances. The pair both took the awards for Best International Male and Best International Female respectively. Best International Breakthrough Act went to Lana del Rey, with rockers Foo Fighters winning International Group.
The final prize of the night, for Outstanding Contribution to Music, saw Essex celebrating a win at the ceremony, as 90’s Britpop group Blur were awarded. Essex boy, Damon Albarn, and his fellow band members, last appeared at the awards in 1995 when they performed hit single ‘Boys & Girls’.
Closing the ceremony with 5 of their hit songs, many of the artists and stars at the event were seen dancing around their tables, clearly enjoying the performance and a fantastic night of entertainment.
