FOR THREE decades, the Brit awards have entertained the masses with fluffs, gaffes, pranks and waggled bums, while gathering the great and good of the music industry for an evening of back-slapping and recognition of the year’s achievements.
But at last night’s 30th anniversary event, the show was stolen by an American, as Lady Gaga took home three awards, more than any other artist.
The flamboyant artist – born Stefani Germanotta – was named best international female solo artist, best international breakthrough act and best international album for The Fame.
And while the night may have been billed as the “battle of the babes” by many, there was also a distinctly masculine feel to the honours, with rock bands Florence and the Machine and Kasabian, rapper Dizzee Rascal and boy band JLS all taking home awards.
Leicester rockers Kasabian won best British band, while Florence and the Machine won best British album for Lungs. At the glittering event hosted by comedian Peter Kay in London's Earl's Court, all eyes were on the American exhibitionist, hotly tipped by bookies since winning two Grammys last month.
After scoring four number ones with her debut album, Gaga was lauded as the new queen of pop with the industry queuing to lay accolades at her feet.
Past outlandish displays from the American have included full facial masks, exploding bras and pyrotechnics. Last night’s performance was met with rapturous applause.
Lily Allen also overcame a disappointing night back in 2007, when she was nominated for four awards, but won none. Despite stiff competition from Florence Welch, frontwoman for Florence and the Machine, and newcomer Pixie Lott, she took home the award for British female solo act.
There was joy for Dizzee Rascal, credited with bringing grime music to the mainstream, after he took home the award for best British male solo artist.
The ever-exuberant rapper took to the stage last night to perform a much-anticipated duet with Florence Welch, dressed in a suitably spangly silver mini dress.
The inexorable rise of Jay-Z continued, as he took home the award for best international male solo artist. The rapper – who performed to screaming adulation with Alicia Keys – became the most successful solo artist in the history of the US Billboard chart, after his 11th album, Blueprint 3, went to number one, surpassing Elvis Presley's record.
The power of the reality TV format, which last year propelled Susan Boyle to stratospheric heights, was again evident as the teen favourites JLS – runners-up in the fifth series of the X Factorin 2008 – won best British breakthrough act.
Capitalising on the hysterical fervour of their fans, the band – described by Kay as "a black, all-male version of Bucks Fizz" – took home best British single. Beat Again, which went straight to the top spot in the charts last summer, was voted for by thousands of radio listeners.
It fell to Liam Gallagher to provide some unscripted drama, however, after taking to the stage, minus brother Noel, to accept Oasis's award for the Brits album of 30 years for their record (What's the Story) Morning Glory?After thanking a series of people - pointedly not including his sibling - he told the crowd: "Listen kids . . . the best bands in the f***ing world live forever," before hurling a microphone into the audience. As he left, Kay remarked: "What a knobhead." – (Guardian service)