In a time of political unrest and tragic celebrity deaths, awards shows have become more about what was said and done over awards won, and this year’s Brit Awards were no exception. David Bowie won the biggest prizes, while The 1975, Little Mix and Beyoncé also took home the silver statuettes.
The award was clearly a form of vindication for the 1975, as they performed their hit song ‘The Sound’, against a backdrop of negative messages about themselves. As “unconvincing emo lyrics” and “terrible high pitched vocals” flashed up on the screen, some viewers at home thought the band had been hacked.
Some stage glitches WERE real however, as one poor dancer, who was dressed as a house, fell off the stage during Katy Perry’s politically charged performance. Belting out her latest number ‘Chained to the Rhythm’, Perry paraded her sea of paper houses along with two giant, Skeleton puppets which appeared to represent Donald trump and Theresa May.
The most moving moment of the evening fell to the remaining members of Wham! who paid tribute to the band’s late frontman, George Michael. Andrew Ridgeley said "it felt like the sky had fallen in", when news of Michael's death broke, as singers Pepsi and Shirlie held back tears.
The full list of winners:
Best British Album – David Bowie – ‘Blackstar’
Global Success Award: Adele
Best International Male – Drake
Best International Female – Beyonce
Best Internatonal Group – A Tribe Called Quest
Best British Video – One Direction – ‘History’
Best British Female Solo Artist: Emeli Sandé
Best British Male Solo Artist: David Bowie
Best British Group: The 1975
Best British Breakthrough Act: Rag N’ Bone Man
Best Single: Little Mix – ‘Shout Out To My Ex’
Icon Award: Robbie Williams
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Images: @Brits