BRIT Awards 2012: The Results

Last night the O2 Arena played host to the Brit Awards presented by the not so funny James Corden, with Adele and Ed Sheeran both scooping 2 accolades each. The annual event saw a mix from hard working indie stars to talentless TV pop groups all battling for votes only for unsurprising winners to add their names to the list of Brit victors. However not all went to plan when Adele’s acceptance speech for winning Album of the Year was cut short. The ‘Rumour Has It’ star was interrupted by Corden and a booing audience to make time for Blur’s 11 minute set. This year featured far more pop acts than any other year, dominating the nominations and pushing guitar bands even further out of the spotlight compared to last year’s nominees.

The winners…

British Male Solo Artist

Nominees:

• James Blake
• James Morrison
• Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
• Professor Green

Winner: Ed Sheeran

There was always going to be a clear winner for this category from the start and Ed Sheeran can add this Brit to his successful albeit short career. Compared to the other nominees, extensive radio plays on mainstream stations gave Sheeran the advantage over James Blake and ex-Oasis frontman Noel Gallagher.

British Female Solo Artist

Nominees:

• Florence & the Machine
• Jessie J

  A face like a smacked arse

• Kate Bush
• Laura Marling

Winner: Adele

This one was pretty much on the cards too; Adele has stormed the charts and Radio 1 playlists for over the past year and can add this Brit to the 6 Grammys she picked up earlier this month. In all honesty she’s boring now and I was hoping for perhaps Florence to pick this one up, in fact anybody other than Jessie J, so thank you Adele. Having won this category last year, it was unlikely Marling would be looking at another win.

British Breakthrough Act

Nominees:

• Anna Calvi
• Emeli Sande
• Jessie J
• The Vaccines

  Soton born The Vaccines should've seen a win

Winner: Ed Sheeran

I genuinely thought this one was going to The Vaccines. After forming just only a year and a half ago and having been Radio 1 and XFM favourites ever since the release of their debut album it seemed possible. Surprise surprise our ginger friend managed to take a victory here too, beating Jessie J and Sande to the plate. Anna Calvi just didn’t have enough of an audience to even stand a chance, which is a disappointment as her self-titled debut is worth a listen.

British Group

Nominees:

• Arctic Monkeys
• Chase & Status
• Elbow
• Kasabian

Winner: Coldplay

Not quite sure what to make of Coldplay taking this one home. After returning with ‘Mylo Xyloto’ they’ve definitely attracted the right voting audience following a more electronic musical route, perhaps keeping up with the times earned them this award. The other nominees all had an equal chance of losing out to Chris Martin’s four piece although I would’ve liked to have seen Arctic Monkeys win this.

British Single

Nominees:

• Adele – Someone Like You

  Looks like oven gloves are new in this season

• Ed Sheeran – The A Team
• Example – Changed The Way You Kissed Me
• Jeeie J ft BoB – Price Tag
• JLS ft Dev – She Makes Me Wanna
• Military Wives/Gareth Malone – Wherever You Are
• Olly Murs ft Rizzle Kicks – Heart Skips A Beat
• Pixie Lott –  All About Tonight
• The Wanted – Glad You Came

Winner: One Direction – What Makes You Beautiful

Oh dear God what happened here?! Clearly someone has confused the British Single Nominations list with a Radio 1 playlist. It’s nice to see that several genres of music have been considered in the nominations…like fuck have they. The only thing to comment on One Direction is let’s hope that the only way they go is off a cliff.

British Album of the Year

Nominees:

• Coldplay – Mylo Xyloto
• Ed Sheeran – +
• Florence & The Machine – Ceremonials

  Charming as ever

• PJ Harvey – Let England Shake

Winner: Adele – 21

Not much of a surprise with this one, especially as its been out for over a year compared to Sheeran and Florence’s efforts at just under 6 months, giving Adele way more airtime. PJ Harvey picked up the Mercury Prize last year for her album so seemed unlikely she’d do just as well this time round. Adele seemed genuinely pleased to get her sausage fingers round this one but was only able to offer a one fingered salute in acceptance as her speech was scrapped to make way for Blur’s stage time.

International Male Solo Artist

Nominees:

• Aloe Blacc
• Bon Iver
• David Guetta
• Ryan Adams

Winner: Bruno Mars

Well played Bruno Mars, your annoyingly catchy tunes earned yourself a little statue. The other nominees had no chance considering how popular Mars has been amongst the teenage girl crowd.

International Female Solo Artist

Nominees:

• Beyonce
• Bjork
• Feist
• Lady Gaga

Winner: Rihanna

This one could’ve gone to any of the nominees – minus Feist they’re equally as terrible as each other but Rihanna’s dancefloor targeting tunes got her the attention she needed.

International Group

Nominees:

• Fleet Foxes

  A deserved win for Dave and co.

• Jay Z/ Kanye West
• Lady Antebellum
• Maroon 5

Winner: Foo Fighters

Foo Fighters deserved this one after recording their latest album in Dave Grohl’s garage and going back to basics. The Foo’s novel approach to recording and generating an imperfect sound got them the recognition they’re worthy of.

International Breakthrough Act

Nominees:

• Aloe Blacc
• Bon Iver
• Foster The People

  Finally Lana gets some recognition

• Nicki Minaj

Winner: Lana Del Ray

After hitting the music scene over 4 years ago it’s about time Lana Del Rey started picking up prizes and so she should’ve after being nominated against the talentless Minaj.

So the Brits 2012 have created little surprise with predictable acts bagging awards and highlighting once again that pop acts are dominating the winners list. Perhaps next year’s event can produce winners from a wider range of the musical spectrum.