Will Tinie Tempah sweep the board? Will the British music industry be saved? And will James Corden behave himself? Rosie Swash will have the answers as she reports live as the Brits unfold
And that's the lot! The Brits 2011 closes with Cee-Lo in one of tonight's many outstanding suit jackets. So what have we learned? Well, James Cordon didn't do abysmally in the compere stakes and the O2 opted for a pretty phallic looking stage to mark their debut as the Brits host. But clearly organisers of this salubrious event are obviously becoming ever more adept at finessing the polish; tonight's awards were nothing short of slick. But we don't watch the Brits for slick, do we? We watch it for the radio silence when the autocue fails, and the possibility that someone, maybe, will fall over. It hasn't always been this way. Once there were duets between Bjork and PJ Harvey, warping the audiences ears with their cover of the Rolling Stones' Satisfaction. There were the KLF. Sure, there were also Abba medleys performed by Billie, Tina Cousins, B*Witched, Steps and Cleopatra. But the absolute mind-bending awfulness of such a display was also very funny.
It might be too much to expect anything revolutionary from the Brits but it would have been fun to see a bit of the calamity and embarrassment which makes it very much not the Grammys. So very English. Still, it's not a total loss. Without Corden's interviewing skills we would never have had confirmation from Plan B that a reggae album is in the pipeline. Something to look forward to at the Brits 2012, then.
Thanks for joining me. Goodnight!
Was Roger Daltry being serious when he said Plan B's performance reminded him of the the early days of the Who? I honestly couldn't tell.
I'm told by MaCkA79 that it was in fact Robbie Williams who said "shabba". My apologies. Williams retains his title of biggest fool in Take That. As you were.
:-(
Gary Barlow just said Shabba. Twice. Robbie Williams is no longer the bigger fool in the band.
Hello! Still with us? Ok. So Rihanna has just won best international female solo artist, an award presented to her by a frankly pissed-sounding Cheryl Cole. Personally, I feel Robyn was robbed. Tinie Tempah made his 46th appearance of the night, this time to perform a medley of hits. He had lazers and a live string quartet and everything. Let's hope they located Labrinth, because if Labrinth like I think I do he wouldn't want to miss this!
We are currently rolling into the final half hour of the Brit awards 2011 and what I've learned, don't know about you, is what Lulu wore on her last tour. Priceless!
I'm struggling to remember a time when Take That weren't part of the Brit awards. Progress indeed.
For those of you who have no idea what the Brits are, and there are a few of you about- especially on a Brits themed live blog it would seem- here's the rundown. If you've sold alot of records, you'll probably win a few awards. If you had a single out a while ago, such as Florence and the Machine's You Got The Love, then chances are you'll finally get a nomination for best single THIS year. And, tonight, it would seem being Canadian or Tinie Tempah will help your chances of winning.
enhaines writes:
Not hating Arcade Fire, Cee-Lo and Plan B winning tonight. This is not right - a Brit award that I'm (partially) agreeing with...
I like to think this is alt-indie Canadian singer Emily Haines repping her native musicians in arms, Arcade Fire and Justin Bieber
The Times reponds to Justin Beiber's win
#getbehindthepaywall
If Bruno Mars doesn't win something tonight I'm gonna lose it
More topical dancing during Plan B's performance, including riot gear, self-immolation and mob violence. The xx montage which follows calms things down a bit.
So, where are we. James Corden made me LOL by saying Mumford & Sons' performance of Timshel was "brave", presumably because it was acoustic. Does he think they usually make electro-clash or something? Alan "chatty man" Carr made a joke about pedometers that sank like a stone, before presenting Tinie Tempah the award for British single Pass Out. A worthy winner, I think.
John Taylor and Simon Le Bon, them from Duran Duran, presented Arcade Fire with their second award of the night for international group, which gave viewers another chance to hear just how canadian they sound. Win Butler also gives props to Partners In Health, a charity providing support in Haiti which you can hear more about here. Then Plan B rapped about girls who cry rape. There's alot to take in at the Brits 2011.
For the verdict on Mumford, I refer you to my colleague Tim Jonze
If you've just joined us I'll take this opportunity to round up events thus far. Plan B won best male solo artist and said some fairly incomprehensible things, but hey, we've all had a few. Tinie Tempah won best breakthrough act and thanked everyone on earth and God. Adele appeared to move herself to tears with a performance of Someone Like You and James Corden gave fair praise, therefore lulling me into a false sense of security that he wasn't going to be too awful. Then he made some jokes about wanking in relation to Rihanna. Still, someone has to make the lads laugh. Arcade Fire looked absolutely delighted to win best international group and thanked the Smiths, the Clash, David Bowie and a whole other bunch of bands they don't sound like. Boris Becker was knocking around too. Never a dull moment, people.
Rihanna is doing a medley of hits with an accompanying medley of dance moves that are sure to be replicated across dancefloors all over Britain this weekend #shotsshotsshots
Rihanna is cued up with a few knob gags from Corden. Just when I was thinking he was doing ok aswell.
Arcade Fire have won best international group. I've never seen anyone so thrilled to see Boris Becker! In fact, I've never actually seen any member of Arcade Fire smile before. This is revelatory.
Tinie Tempah has won his first award of the night for British breakthrough act. After sharing a tender embrace with Fearne "I'm mad, me!" Cotton, he thanks the radio 1 listeners (you know who you are), God (you know who you are) and Miles and Nathan (someone knows who they are, I assume).
James Corden to Justin Bieber: "You smell amazing...how old are you?" Chill out Corden. In news from the floor, apparently Mumford are taking to the stage in dungarees. The Brit awards: a night of sartorial extremes.
If you're not watching the Brits awards on telly then you're missing the MOST incredible Mumford & Sons montage (See, I told you the sarcasm would be back!)
All joking aside (yes, there has been some sarcasm on tonight's live blog), Adele's Someone Like You is an incredible song and she is singing it beautifully. Ok, soppy bit over, promise!
Did Eliza Doolittle really just show us her favourite trainers or did I fall asleep and dream the mediocrity?
Ok, the first award, presented by a very dapper looking Dizzee Rascal, is best male solo artist and it's gone to Plan B. Apparently Elton John is a big fan. I didn't understand the first five words of his speech but I think he thanked his mum and that is ok with me.
It's like KLF all over again. TT will be burning wads of cash and slaughtering sheep next.
Take That come on stage with dancers in riot gear!? Topical. I'm laughing out loud, alone, in the Guardian office. THIS is why I love the Brits. But since when did Mark Owen sound like David Bowie?
It's here, the moment we've all been waiting for: "James Corden presents..."
This just in: Peter Andre will be at the Brit awards tonight. True celebration of British music can commence.
Sorry to lower the tone but The Artist Formerly Known as Jordan has put out a very strange public information announcement (via The Sun) as to why she wont be attending the Brits tonight:
I don't want to be the cause of any issue this evening, however manufactured, and I certainly don't want to be used to distract deserved attention from some truly great British superstars so instead I will be cheering on the amazing Jessie J, Tinie Tempah and Rumer in front of my TV. I hope everyone has a fabulous evening and there is a true celebration of British music.
Sad news. I find it hard to believe there can be a true celebration of British music without Katie Price in attendance. Let's hope they can muddle on without her.
Felsenmann asks:
I went to this a few years ago. Do they still have a "claque"; a few dozen stage school kids in key audience blocks paid to whoop and scream to make it look slightly more exciting than it is?
The Observer's Caspar LLewellyn Smith answers:
There is a lack of Brit School 'fans' who usually provide the atmosphere (read: shrieking) down the front of the venue. Popjustice's Peter Robinson says: 'They're not down the front because they're all performing tonight'.
#ouch
I see ITV are getting the momentum up by showing Grimebusters just before the Brits. Oh, the glamour.
Ok, what you've all been waited for. Here's a rundown of what's being eaten RIGHT NOW in the O2 Arena.
"Pumpkin and ginger parfait, followed by braised fillet of beef with shin of beef tortellini and curly kale. And baby carrots on white bean and truffle puree topped with parsnip crisps"
And for dessert, three small but delicious looking puds
While deeply absorbed in research ahead of tonight's Brit awards (first stop: Brits website. Last stop: Brits website), I came across this video interview with Ronnie Wood recalling the "infamous" altercation between him and Brandon "Wahaaaay!" Block during the 2000 Brit awards. This occurred when Wood and Thora Birch (American Beauty, Patriot Games) were interrupted by Block for reasons that remain unclear. If you don't recall the incident, here's what you'll be able to glean from the clip:
1) Birch wore nothing but a bra teamed with black leather trousers and a sky blue leather jacket. As outfits go, it's really quite hard to take your eyes off.
2) Ronnie Wood can't seem to decide whether he's more affronted that Brandon Block - "whoever he was" - arrived onstage brandishing a pair of chopsticks or
that he was drunk. Not drunk at the Brit awards, surely!?
3) Wood recalls the events of 2000 a bit like a have-a-go hero, looking candidly into the camera and saying that he: "just reacted like anybody else... you don't know whether he's (Block) going to go for you with the chopsticks... jab you in the eyes. My immediate tactic was defensive". His tactic, by the way, was to throw a glass of vodka in Block's face.
4) The winner was Notting Hill. The award? Who knows.
Sidenote: I wonder what Brandon Block is up to these days? More pressing; where is Alex P?
Lots of texts coming in about the aforementioned boat parties. This from one of my many sources:
I was at the Warners boat party. Rumour is Sony just had one celeb at theirs: Olly Murs
So...no celebs then? Anyway, all this talk of partying on the river makes me think of Saturday Night Live's On A Boat
Except the Brits version probably has Mumford and Sons instead of T-Pain. As long as one of them has a top-hat on then I don't mind. Shorteeee!
I should say that if you fancy swotting up on who's nominated this year, the full list is here. On face value it reads much like any other Brits nominations list from the last few years: Paul Weller is nominated for something or another, Take That are up for best British group, again, and Kings of Leon are up for best American band more popular in the UK than their home country. The only aberration appears to be in the best female solo artist category; what, no Annie Lennox this year? #britssacrilege.
So here we are, on the eve of the Brits 2011. Otherwise known as the biggest night in the UK's pop calendar. Excited?! Thought so. If you're planning on watching tonight's ceremony from the comfort of your sofa (or, in my case, the comfort of one of the Guardian's ergonomic chairs) then the fun officially begins at 8pm on ITV. If you are, however, affiliated in any way with the music industry, chances are you'll have spent the afternoon on a boat, circling the Thames with, perhaps, Ellie Goulding to one side and Goldierocks to the other, literally waiting for your ship to come in outside the O2 Arena in Greenwich. Lucky you.
It's the first time the Brits have been held at the O2 (until recently Earls Court was its regular home) so organisers have chosen to celebrate this break from the past by organising a series of boat parties. Yes, boat parties. You know, the kind that were popular in the 1980s. Perhaps there'll be a flashmob congregated outside the Dome to remind us what was in fashion in 2004. Or, even better, something truly cutting edge such as breakdancing! Oh no, wait, the Baftas got there first.
Oh well. Perhaps someone will be so kind as to tweet a picture of the assemblage of popstars, showbiz reporters and A&R men huddled together for warmth, blue lips wrapped around a glass of champagne, as they wait to disembark and enter the theatre of pop dreams that is the O2 Arena.
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/musicblog/2011/feb/15/brit-awards-2011-live-coverage
Julie Benz Saira Mohan Brittny Gastineau Ashley Tisdale Rachel Blanchard
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