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New acts triumph at Brits
10/02/2005 07:54 - (SA)
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| The Scissor Sisters receive the award for Best International Album during the Brit Awards 2005 at Earls Court 2 in central London. (Yui Mok, AP) |
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London - Fresh talent grabbed centre stage at the 25th Brit Awards on Wednesday with British teen star Joss Stone and radical US dance act Scissor Sisters bagging a string of honours, while household names such as Robbie Williams and Bob Geldof also got a taste of the action.
The cream of Britain's pop and rock music world flocked to the glitzy ceremony in London to find out the winners of this year's industry-decided gongs, which are the British equivalent of the coveted US Grammys.
Stone, 17, was crowned queen of pop, winning best British female solo artist over Amy Winehouse, Jamelia, Natasha Bedingfield and PJ Harvey.
"I don't know what to say," said the tall, blonde-haired stunner.
"Thank you all you guys for voting for me, I feel sick right now," she giggled.
In the biggest surprise of the night, the young singer, known in some quarters as a white Aretha Franklin, also won best urban act, beating The Streets and Dizzee Rascal.
Born in Devon, southern England, Stone became a hit in the United States before finding fame in Britain.
Glory for the Scissor Sisters
In contrast, disco rockers Scissor Sisters from New York broke the British market first to enjoy a storming 2004 and a glittering start to 2005.
The five-piece band, fronted by former go-go dancer Jake Shears and singer Ana Matronic, picked up three awards for best international group, international album and international breakthrough act.
"I'd like to thank everyone that called us a freak, and a faggot and everybody that said we couldn't do it," Matronic told a star-studded audience at London's cavernous Earls Court.
The band had been dismissed by many in the industry as a gay novelty act but in a sign of their new-found acceptance, they kicked off the annual spectacle by springing out of two giant golden eggs perched underneath a pink rooster on the stage to perform.
Best British group and British rock act
Home-grown band Franz Ferdinand, who had been expected to dominate the night's awards, won just two out of their five nominations, being named best British group and British rock act.
"We've had a smashing time and we think it's time for someone else to have a go," said band-member Alex Kapranos.
The four-piece from Scotland who played their first gig to 40 people in Glasgow in May 2002 performed their hit single Take Me Out at the ceremony, just one of a glittering line-up of performances.
Mike Skinner, also known as The Streets, walked away with the key best British male solo artist gong.
The 26-year-old, whose rapping tales of heartbreak, drinking, and other aspects of street life have led to his being described as an urban poet, gave the crowd a rendition of his former number one Dry Your Eyes.
Special award for Robbie
In a special award, British pop sensation Robbie Williams won best song of the past 25 years for his smash hit ballad Angel, beating other anthems such as We Are The Champions by Queen and Kate Bush's Wuthering Heights.
The former Take That star joked that he was "always the talented man of the band" as he accepted the accolade - his 15th Brit award.
"I'm just amazed that my career keeps going," said the singer, who performed Angel with fellow winner Stone.
Topping off the evening, Sir Bob Geldof, the brainchild behind Band Aid, was honoured with a gong for Outstanding Contribution to Music.
"Thank you very much, Britain, for taking a lippy Irish boy and allowing him to make a living here," said the former Boomtown Rats singer.
Presented by television and radio personality Chris Evans, the Brits lived up to all expectations of glamour and style, with hundreds of dolled-up celebrities knocking back champagne and smiling for the cameras.
The Brits were first launched in 1977, but have taken until now to reach a 25th instalment due to the five-year gap between the first and second ceremonies.
- AFP
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