24th February 2010

VIEW 2 MUSIC: Was that really the best of British?

by James Coles

AND so the UK music industry’s self-congratulatory back-slapping fest that is the Brits is over for another year. And what a disappointment. Again.

To be fair, host Peter Kay didn’t do a bad job of emceeing the event, but he clearly didn’t take the evening’s proceedings with any level of seriousness whatsoever. I mean, no one wants the sort of sycophantic antics you see at the Grammys, but if the host doesn’t care, why on earth should the audience?

He looked a tad uncomfortable in his stylish Sixties cut suit but made a few good jokes, confusing boy band JLS with DFS (those fine purveyors of sofas and cushions) and quipping that star of the night Lady Gaga came close to even winning the award for Best International Male (a gag clearly not lost on those who’ve heard those rumours).

For an event that’s meant to celebrate the best in British music, it said a lot that the best performance of the night was undoubtedly by a pair of Yanks. And just to rub it in they were singing a tune about New York! Alicia Keys and Jay-Z were quite simply on top of their game.

So who did we have to compete? How about the supposed nation’s new sweetheart, Cheryl Cole? What a joke! This is a woman who has made her name judging on a TV show that’s all about singing live in front of an audience. Not only did she prove she can’t sing, but also that she can’t mime. I’ve seen films that have been dubbed sync up better than Cheryl did last Tuesday night.

Liam Gallagher’s appearance on the show did nothing but prove wrong the very small minority of people who didn’t already think the man was a complete and utter idiot. He picked up some contrived award for best album of the last 30 years (for the Oasis LP (What’s The Story) Morning Glory?) and thanked everyone apart from his estranged brother Noel – who, of course, only played the minor role of composing every song on the record – and then lobbed both his Brit and microphone into the crowd.

Host Peter Kay called Gallagher “a k***head” as he left the stage, resulting in a war of words over the next few days with Liam accusing Kay of not being a real northerner on Twitter and Kay responding by calling Liam “a k***head” once again through his own web site. Want to liven up a staid corporate event with a bit of controversy? Give Liam Gallagher a call.

The Outstanding Contribution award – the supposed highlight of the evening and an honour previously given to the likes of Paul McCartney and The Who – was presented to Robbie Williams. Yes, Robbie Williams. The alien bothering has-been whose idea of entertainment is holding out his mic to the crowd and telling them to ‘sing it’.

A great songwriter. Legendary vocalist. A virtuoso of the guitar. These are the sort of attributes that candidates for this once prestigious award should have. Not some bloke that might pass as a good turn down the pub on a Saturday night.

What with last year’s winners of the award the Pet Shop Boys plugging sponsors Mastercard – are they really that short of cash? - at either end of the ad breaks, I’m amazed I got through the whole show.

Best of British? Give me strength.

PICTURE: OUTSHINING THE BRITS - Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ performance was better than anything home-grown talent could come up with at last week’s awards show

VIEW 2 MUSIC: Was that really the best of British?

VIEW 2 MUSIC: Was that really the best of British?

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