GIG REVIEW: BRIT Awards
- Posted on February 21, 2008 2:02 PM
- 0 comments
Review by Holly Groom
The BRITS are the undeniable biggies of British music awards ceremonies. I remember when Jarvis cocker's wiggling bum overshadowed both Michael Jackson and the Blur/Oasis 'shite-life' feud, and who could forget the disturbing year when Sting decided it was appropriate to perform all sweaty and topless just because he won a lifetime achievement award?
While it’s never the most ground-breaking of musical events, the great thing about the BRITS is the way it amalgamates all the big successes of the year into one smashing two hour long variety show.
Its a celebration of mainstream pop that reflects the successes of the past year in the industry - but if your not into rehashing the hits that you've heard MANY times before then it probably isn't the night for you. If, however, like me, you felt pop music got right back on form this year, then the BRITS are always worth a look.
Apparently - as I was informed by my ever-reliable Seatwave review buddy - the theme of the night was 'punk vs. glam' which was pretty farcical seeing as there is nothing 'punk' about spending twenty minutes revving up a crowd of competition winners and Brit school graduates for the all-important switching on of the TV cameras. Seriously, kids from that school scream for camera time like werewolves baying for human blood; it was almost frightening.
Apart from that, there were some serious treats involved in the form of the now-legendary Brit collaborations.
Mika opened the show like a gay reincarnation of Freddie Mercury (what?! no! your kidding!) and let me tell you, played live his stuff really works. I really wasn't into his theatrical pop shrieking before, but on stage, it all suddenly made perfect sense. Just as I was coming to terms with this awesome musical revelation - woops! - the stage wall opened and, oh my lord! there was Beth ditto shoving her hips around the stage like a glorious, glittering, Rock'n'Roll Mae West.
This stunning opener was matched by a Rihanna/Klaxons mash up featuring the kind of light show that would have made Daft Punk feel woozy.
Oh, and of course, the glorious Amy Winehouse paired a little predictably with Mark Ronson. She played Valerie and Love is a Losers Game, which was dedicated (equally predictably) to her incarcerated other half.
Being the BRITS, the night is never really about who won the awards, although if you care:
Best British male: Mark Ronson
Best British female: Kate Nash
Best British album: Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare
Best British group: Arctic Monkeys
Best British breakthrough act: Mika
Best British live act: Take That
British single: Take That - Shine
International male solo artist: Kanye West
International female solo artist: Kylie Minogue
International group: Foo Fighters
International album: Foo Fighters - Echoes
Critics' choice: Adele
Outstanding contribution to music: Sir Paul McCartney
I formed a sneaking suspicion some years ago that you're more likely to win an award if you turn up, get drunk and are prepared to make an fist-crunching, wholly embarrassing, endless speech (nice one Jason orange) rather than if you made a genuinely worthwhile contribution of the past years musical output.
Hence yet another year of predictable wins for the Clinton machines of Pop music. Congrats Kylie, Take That, Mika and Kate Nash.
Bad luck Bat for Lashes, Jamie T, Bjork and PJ Harvey - maybe work a little harder to create something genuinely new and interesting next year wont you?
Still, the BRITS never claimed to be a mould-breaking celebration of underground talent and, anyway, how often do you get to whoop at Sir Paul, Vic reeves and the Osborn family all in the same expensively produced televised pantomime? Almost never.
Who cares if the BRITS are a celebration of artists who already have plenty of recognition to celebrate? I'll still be watching them every year because, while the winners may be predictable, they are chosen because they represent Pop culture at its absolute glittering superficial best.
Buy tickets for BRIT Award winners.
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