The BRIT Awards remain one of the most prestigious global events in the musical calendar and stars from across the entertainment world turned out to show their support. But, as always, it wasn’t without its hosting hiccups, technical difficulties, and boozing celebs by the bucket load.
Held at London’s O2 Arena, this year’s event was hosted by comedian, Mo Gilligan, who returned to host the show for the second year running.
The award itself, designed by 22-year-old Nigerian-born artist Slawn, represented opportunity, gratitude and celebration – key descriptors encapsulating the awards from both artist and industry perspectives.
Harry Styles opened the show with a punch-packing performance of 2022’s best-selling single, As It Was. Other notable performances throughout the evening came from Sam Smith and Kim Petras, Lizzo, Stormzy, David Guetta, and his special guests, Ella Henderson, Becky Hill and the nation’s Eurovision hero, Sam Ryder, who collaborated to perform a mashup of the producer’s recent hits.
Forget Harry’s House, it’s now Harry’s World
Clearing up across all four of his nominated categories, the ‘As It Was’ singer was this year’s golden boy. After a stratospheric year in 2022, Styles took home awards for Artist of The Year, Album of The Year, Song of The Year and Best Pop/R&B Act. This now brings his total wins from the BRITs to 13, including those from his One Direction days.
Following the release of his third album Harry’s House, Styles also starred in leading roles in box-office hits Don’t Worry Darling and My Policeman and completed another extended leg of his live show, Love on Tour across Europe, North and South America.
Upon acceptance of his Artist of The Year award, he made a touching statement:
"I want to thank my family for being the most supportive, understanding, patient, loving family I could have ever asked for. I want to thank my mum for signing me up for X-Factor without telling me. And I want to thank Niall, Louis, Liam and Zayn because I wouldn't be here without you either."
He then continued to acknowledge the female artists not nominated in the newly combined, gender-neutral category. He said, "I'm really really grateful for this and I'm very aware of my privilege up here tonight so this award is for Rina, Charlie, Florence, Mabel and Becky."
An evening of firsts
For the first time in its history, this ceremony was held on prime-time Saturday night TV. Following ratings hitting an all-time low of 2.7 million in 2022, the decision was taken to bring in “a new, more engaged audience” but did it work? Only time will tell.
On the awards front, London-based trio Flo beat Cat Burns and Nia Archives to become the first-ever group to be chosen as Rising Star recipients. Their recent viral single Cardboard Box set them firmly in the running, and the group were awarded the gong by former winner and BRIT success story, Jessie J. Other previous winners have included Holly Humberstone, Sam Fender, Rag’n’Bone Man, Adele and Tom Odell.
Singer/Songwriter Mimi Webb attended for the first time, nominated for Best New Artist, whilst Sam Ryder’s performance with David Guetta marked another first for Eurovision performers at the BRITs.
Aitch dedicates his win to Manchester
"Not to get all cliché but I just want to say not many people where I'm from, especially my side of Manchester, get the opportunity to stand up here and receive such an amazing gift or award. That's the main reason I do it, to set examples. It's possible no matter where you're from."
Lizzo gets the party pumping
In true Lizzo style, the American singer stepped up to the plate and delivered a real performance – flute included. Wearing a striking pink, feather outfit, with fifties-inspired curls, she performed two of her most recent hits, ‘Special’ and ‘To Be Loved’. She battled the physics of the flamboyant collar/headpiece ensemble, and nothing was going to get in the way of putting on a fantastic show.
Wet Leg stepped up
Relative newcomers Wet Leg surprised many by trumping other established artists in their categories, walking away with Best New Artist and Best Group.
Whilst collecting their award for Best New Artist, Wet Leg’s front-woman Rhian Teesdale said, “That rock and roll, it just won’t go away. It might hibernate from time to time and sink back into the swamp…” This comment puzzled many as they took to Twitter to voice their confusion, but Arctic Monkeys fans appreciated their nod to the band’s iconic 2014 acceptance speech.
But like any other BRIT Awards ceremony gone before, the evening wasn’t without its technical difficulties. An issue following Sam Smith and Kim Petras’ performance saw Adele perform ‘I Drink Wine’, a recording from last year’s ceremony, whilst Mo Gilligan accidentally introduced Lewis Capaldi as Sam Capaldi when he took to the stage with ‘Forget Me’.
Fontaines D.C. won International Group of the Year for the second time, and The 1975 took British Group for the fourth. Matty’s unusually shortened and well-mannered speech however did not go unnoticed.
And whilst the BRITs once had a former reputation as one of the rowdiest nights in music, yesterday’s event was by comparison, somewhat tame. The days of Adele’s potty-mouth, Jarvis Cocker’s stage invasion, and Harry Styles and Lizzo necking tequila with Jack Whitehall have become a hazy, distant memory. Instead, last night saw relentless “Oi Oi!” calls (which failed to grab the audience’s attention at home or in the venue), awkward and at times uncomfortable presenter interactions and Keith Lemon cameos – not just once, but twice.
See the full list of award nominees and winners:
Mastercard Album of the Year
The 1975 – Being Funny in a Foreign Language
Harry Styles – Harry’s House
Wet Leg – Wet Leg
Stormzy – This Is What I Mean
Fred Again.. – Actual Life 3 (January 1 – September 9 2022)
Winner: Harry Styles – Harry’s House
Artist of the Year
Central Cee
Fred Again
Harry Styles
George Ezra
Stormzy
Winner: Harry Styles
Best Dance Act
Bonobo
Calvin Harris
Becky Hill
Eliza Rose
Fred Again..
Winner: Becky Hill
Group of the Year
The 1975
Arctic Monkeys
Wet Leg
Bad Boy Chiller Crew
Nova Twins
Winner: Wet Leg
Best Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Act
Aitch
Stormzy
Dave
Loyle Carner
Central Cee
Winner: Aitch
International Artist of the Year
Burna Boy
Beyonce
Kendrick Lamar
Lizzo
Taylor Swift
Winner: Beyonce
International Group of the Year
Blackpink
Drake & 21 Savage
First Aid Kit
Fontaines D.C.
Gabriels
Winner: Fontaines D.C.
International Song of the Year
Beyonce – Break My Soul
David Guetta & Bebe Rexha – I’m Good (Blue)
Fireboy DML & Ed Sheeran – Peru
From the Encanto soundtrack – We Don’t Talk About Bruno
Gayle – abcdefu
Jack Harlow – First Class
Lizzo – About Damn Time
Lost Frequencies & Calum Scott – Where Are You Now
OneRepublic – I Ain’t Worried
Taylor Swift – Antihero
Winner: Beyonce – Break My Soul
Best New Artist
Kojey Radical
Mimi Webb
Rina Sawayama
Wet Leg
Sam Ryder
Winner: Wet Leg
Best Pop/R&B Act
Cat Burns
Charli XCX
Harry Styles
Dua Lipa
Sam Smith
Winner: Harry Styles
Best Rock/Alternative Act
The 1975
Arctic Monkeys
Nova Twins
Tom Grennan
Wet Leg
Winner: The 1975
Song of the Year
Aitch & Ahsanti – Baby
Cat Burns – Go
Dave – Starlight
Ed Sheeran & Elton John – Merry Christmas
Eliza Rose & Interplanetary Criminal – B.O.T.A. (Baddest Of Them All)
Harry Styles – As It Was
George Ezra – Green Green Grass
Lewis Capaldi – Forget Me
LF System – Afraid To Feel
Sam Smith & Kim Petras – Unholy
Winner: Harry Styles – As It Was
Producer of The Year
Winner: David Guetta
Rising Star
Winner: Flo
This article was first published on Loop Magazine in February 2023
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