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LONDON, United Kingdom – British cultural giant David Bowie on Wednesday, February 19 (February 20 in Manila), became the oldest winner of a BRIT Award, but the annual awards ceremony belonged to history-making rockers Arctic Monkeys, who claimed the night’s top two awards.
Bowie, 67, was not present at London’s cavernous O2 Arena to receive his best British Male Solo Artist award – his first Brit prize since 1984 – but sent a message read out by supermodel Kate Moss.
“I’m completely delighted to have a Brit for being the best male – but I am, aren’t I Kate?” the model said on his behalf.
“I think it’s a great way to end the day. Thank you very, very much and Scotland stay with us,” he added, in reference to September’s upcoming independence referendum.
Bowie, who made an unexpected comeback last year with album “The Next Day”, surpassed Welsh crooner Tom Jones, who received an honorary prize for his outstanding contribution to music in 2003, aged 62.
But it was Sheffield four-piece Arctic Monkeys who claimed the highest honors, becoming the first band to win the coveted best Album and British Group awards for a third time.
The indie foursome burst onto the scene in 2005 with debut single “I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor”, and have since developed a harder edge, as demonstrated on critically acclaimed fifth album “AM”.
“Yeah that rock and roll – it seems like its fading away sometimes, but it will never die,” frontman Alex Turner said on accepting the award.
“And there’s nothing you can do about it. Thank you very much for this. I do truly appreciate it.”
The band opened proceedings with a live performance of “R U Mine?”, before US pop royalty Prince took to the stage to present singer Ellie Goulding with the British Female Solo Artist award.
The diminutive “Purple Rain” star – on tour in the UK – thanked London for making him feel “extra special loved,” adding it had been “wonderful”, before posing for a “selfie” with host James Corden.
Fresh from his Superbowl appearance, US singer-songwriter Bruno Mars claimed the International Male Solo Artist award before taking to the stage for a live performance.
Daft Punk get lucky
Teen heartthrobs One Direction won the best video prize for their single “Best Song Ever”, and earlier signed autographs for hordes of fans as they made their way down the red carpet.
It was the first time the best video award had been decided by social media, with voting open to fans around the world on YouTube in a bid to boost its international status.
Soul diva Beyonce entertained the crowd with worldwide smash “XO”, before fellow US superstar Katy Perry presented best British Single to electro quartet Rudimental.
A performance by US star Pharrell Williams and legendary pop songwriter Nile Rodgers brought the night to a close, a medley that included “Get Lucky”, their joint smash hit with Daft Punk.
The enigmatic French duo were earlier named best International Group, which Rodgers claimed on their behalf.
Here are the winners at the annual BRIT Awards:
Best Producer
Ethan Johns
WINNER: Flood & Alan Moulder
Paul Epworth
British Breakthrough Act
WINNER: Bastille
Disclosure
Laura Mvula
London Grammar
Tom Odell
British Female Solo Artist
Birdy
WINNER: Ellie Goulding
Jessie J
Laura Marling
Laura Mvula
British Group
WINNER: Arctic Monkeys
Bastille
Disclosure
One Direction
Rudimental
British Male Solo Artist
WINNER: David Bowie
Jake Bugg
James Blake
John Newman
Tom Odell
British Single
Bastille – “Pompei”
Calvin Harris – “I Need Your Love”
Disclosure – “White Noise”
Ellie Goulding – “Burn”
John Newman – “Love Me Again”
Naughty Boy – “La La La”
Olly Murs – “Dear Darlin'”
One Direction – “One Way Or Another”
Passenger – “Let Her Go”
WINNER: Rudimental, “Waiting All Night”
British Video
Calvin Harris – “I Need Your Love”
Ellie Goulding – “Burn”
John Newman – “Love Me Again”
Naughty Boy – “La La La”
WINNER: One Direction – “Best Song Ever”
Critics’ Choice Award
Chlöe Howl
Ella Eyre
WINNER: Sam Smith
International Female Solo Artist
Janelle Monáe
Katy Perry
Lady Gaga
WINNER: Lorde
Pink
International Group
Arcade Fire
WINNER: Daft Punk
Haim
Kings Of Leon
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
International Male Solo Artist
WINNER: Bruno Mars
Drake
Eminem
John Grant
Justin Timberlake
MasterCard British Album of the Year
WINNER: Arctic Monkeys – “AM”
Bastille – “Bad Blood”
David Bowie – “The Next Day”
Disclosure – “Settle”
Rudimental – “Home”
– Rappler.com
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