Adele has seen “25” – her first album in nearly five years – top charts around the world, though her performance at last week’s Grammy Awards was unsettled when a microphone fell into a piano during the tender song “All I Ask”. Adele won four prizes, including best British female solo artist and best album.
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Major Lazer was nominated for Best International Group at the Brit Awards but lost out to Tame Impala; meanwhile, Justin Bieber swooped the title for Best International Male Solo Artist, trumping Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and The Weeknd. Oldman described Bowie as a mortal with superhuman potential.
Justin Bieber, who performed with Best British Solo Artist James Bay, was named Best International Solo Artist.
“Not bad for a girl from Tottenham that don’t like flying”, said the North London-born singer as she accepted the Global Success Award. Rumours of an all-star tribute act proved wide of the mark, with Bowie’s old band instead taking to the stage to perform Life on Mars with Lorde, an artist he had championed.
The ceremony was opened by Coldplay, who gave a colourful, floral performance of their single Hymn For The Weekend, showering the audience with confetti petals as they played on one of two separate stages at London’s O2 arena. “My kid is going to think I’m so cool”.
After a shaky and out-of-key performance at the Grammys earlier in the month, after which Adele said she cried all day, she closed the show with an accomplished rendition of “When We Were Young”, a song from “25”, having changed into a star-spangled glittery gown before her performance. “Someone tell me why anyone would ever feel courageous enough to come forward if they are most likely to be ignored or called a liar?” Kesha is fighting a legal battle against music producer Dr. Luke, who she says has sexually abused her and will not release her from her contractual agreement.
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During her acceptance speech for the Global Success award, an elated Adele dropped an f-bomb, which was missed by the censors and broadcast on TV and the worldwide YouTube stream.
