Music News LIVE: Brit Awards 2017

Summary

The 1975 win best British group and David Bowie wins British male solo artist and best album
Rag'N'Bone Man wins British breakthrough act & Robbie Williams given Global Icon
Little Mix's Shout Out To My Ex wins best British single
Emeli Sande wins British female solo act
Stormzy raps live on Ed Sheeran's No.1 hit Shape of You

Live Reporting

Kev Geoghegan & Paul Glynn

Tributes to late stars of 2016published at 20:40 GMT 22 February 2017
Image source, PA
The George Michael tribute turned into a tribute to the many, many musicians who have died in the 12 months since the last Brit awards.
The montage mentioned Prince, Leonard Cohen, Viola Beach and Sir George Martin amongst others.
His former Wham! bandmates Andrew Ridgeley, Pepsie and Shirlie joined up on stage.
Andrew called him a "beloved friend".
"A supernova in a firmament of shining stars felt extinguished and it felt the sky had fallen in.
"We were the best of friends."
Image source, PA
Helen DeMacque aka Pepsie said: "We always knew George was destined to become a star in his own right.
"On tour we would watch him sing, his voice was stunning, pitch perfect and his performances were spellbinding.
"Music has magical power and George knew that. He understood love, loss, happiness and grief...He lives on in his music and in our hearts, and I will never forget my wonderful friend."
Holliman added that Michael was "like a brother to me".
They then introduced Coldplay's Chris Martin to the stage and he duetted with a recording of the late singer on the Wham! track A Different Corner.
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First big upset of the night...published at 20:32 GMT 22 February 2017
Mark Savage
Music reporter
Image source, PA
...as Best British Breakthrough goes to Rag'N'Bone Man.
Many people thought this was guaranteed to be Skepta's award - the only category where he wasn't nominated against Bowie.
The bluesman was the first ever winner of the Brits Critics' Choice to be nominated in another category (Critics' Choice being an award for a newcomer - before they release their first album)
Rag N Bone Man had timing on his side, though. The votes for the Brits were cast in early January - just as his single, Human, broke big in the U.K., having dominated charts in Europe all autumn.
And the voters proved to be prescient: Last week he scored the biggest-selling debut album by a male artist in more than a decade, outperforming the likes of Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith.
Still, this could be the end of the much-vaunted "grime takeover" of the Brits. If Skepta lost out here - what hope does he have in the best album category?
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The British Breakthrough act goes to...published at 20:27 GMT 22 February 2017
Image source, AFP
...Rag'N'Bone Man - his second Brit award following the Critic's Choice award.
This one was voted for the listeners of Radio 1.
"Oh my days, I'm nearly speechless, thank you to the fans, you've been amazing. I'm ten years deep in this.
"I don't know what else to say."
Let your music do the talking Rory, well played.
Emeli Sande treats Brits crowd to Hurtspublished at 20:19 GMT 22 February 2017
And hurt never felt so good.
Fresh from winning her award the Aberdeenshire singer belted out one of her hits.
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From our man in the O2...published at 20:13 GMT 22 February 2017
Mark Savage
Music reporter
Image source, PA
Little Mix pulled out all the stops and several of the starts for their show-opening performance of Shout Out To My Ex.
Carried aloft by their dancers and romping about the proscenium they got the crowd on their feet (the ones who weren't still scoffing their dinner, at least).
Bruno Mars, by contrast, looked a little lost from up in the gods of the O2 arena, though.
His vocals were on point, but it's still unclear what this song - That's What I Like - means to an audience who never lived through America's 1980s explosion in babymaking "jams".
Bet it looked good on TV, though.
And British male solo artist goes to...published at 20:07 GMT 22 February 2017
Image source, Reuters
...David Bowie.
The award was accepted by actor Michael C Hall - who starred in the Bowie-soundtracked musical Lazarus.
"If David Bowie could be here tonight, he probably wouldn't be here tonight," he joked with a straight face.
Image source, PA
"I'm honoured to stand here before you and acknowledge the potency of his work and acknowledge his kindness and generosity and enthusiasm which inspires me to be better man," he continued.
A worthy winner, most would agree.
Quote Message
It's a fitting tribute to a British icon - especially after the Grammys relegated Bowie to the rock categories last week. The award surely recognises his legacy and influence as much as it does his progressive, stunning final album, Blackstar: A record who's fearless confrontation of its author's mortality floored his fans."
Mark Savage
Bruno Mars takes to the stage as a 1980s boybandpublished at 20:05 GMT 22 February 2017
No hat in sight for Bruno Mars as he takes to the stage for his performance of That's What I Like.
He's up for best international male later.
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Best British Group is...published at 19:57 GMT 22 February 2017
Image source, Getty
The 1975.
Little Mix had not long left the stage before they lost this one. Matty Healy and boys beat them, Bastillle, Biffy Clyro and Radiohead.
Matty said: "Thank you so much.
"This is mental...we've been a band since we were 13 years old so this kind of thing doesn't happen.
"The reason we are here tonight is because of our album and on that, we tried to get back to that place when music made us feel alive.
"So to have that rewarded is quite moving
He then went political. Almost...
"People in pop music and in the broader public consciousness are told to 'stay in your lane' when it comes to talking about social issues - but if you have a platform, don't do that."
That was either political or a warning for people driving home.
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First dibs from Little Mix in picspublished at 19:55 GMT 22 February 2017
Image source, PA
Good job ladies.
Your work here is done and you can enjoy the show like the rest of us.
Image source, PA
Skepta and Boy Better Know from the red carpetpublished at 19:50 GMT 22 February 2017
Out of their hoodies and into their Sunday best...on a Wednesday night.
Coming soon to a Brits stage near you...
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Best British Female goes to...published at 19:47 GMT 22 February 2017
Image source, PA
The first award of the night goes to Emeli Sande.
She previously won the award in 2013 and released her seond album last year, Long Live the Angels.
She took her sister Lucy on stage as she accepted the award.
"Thank you so much, wow. Thank you to the creator of all things for this journey.
"I didn't know I could come back and put out the music I wanted so thank you for having me."
Well done Emeli.
Hosts pay tribute to Michael Bublepublished at 19:43 GMT 22 February 2017
He may not be here but Michael Buble still gets a warm shout out from his replacement hosts Dermot O'Leary and Emma Willis.
"We'd much rather be down there watching Michael Buble host the show," said Dermot.
"Everyone from the Brits send him our love and fingers crossd we will see him again next year," added Emma.
Nice touch.
AND WE'RE OFF...published at 19:38 GMT 22 February 2017
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And Little Mix have been lifted to the stage on silver chairs, carried by people spray painted silver, with lots of silver backing dancers and they're wearing silver outfits.
Hmm, we're sensing some kind of theme going on...
But does this mean they'll be runners-up tonight? They're gold winners in a lot of your hearts for sure.
Anyway Shout Out To My Ex opens the Brit awards 2017 with a bang.
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The countdown has started...published at 19:33 GMT 22 February 2017
...and the BBC DJs are ready to P.A.R.T...WHY?
BECAUSE THEY GOTTA....
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Nearly show time...published at 19:32 GMT 22 February 2017
Image source, Mark Savage
Eeek.
Here's what it looks like on the inside.
Have your drinks and (Little) Mixers at the ready.
So who wore what then?published at 19:29 GMT 22 February 2017
Image source, PA
As stylish as we (think we) are, we would never claim to be fashion journalists.
So we've left it to our esteemed colleague to give you the complete run down on the many various fashions on display tonight - including hosts Dermot O'Leary and Emma Willis here.
Image source, Getty
Swedish pop sensation Zara Larsson was so fashionably late arriving that she didn't make the cut.
And her seamstress might be concerned about this tweet.
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Rewind Wednesdaypublished at 19:21 GMT 22 February 2017
Image source, PA
Ok, we admit it's not quite as catchy as Throwback Thursday...
...but hey, it's the Brits!
There's not long to go now until the start and the annual ceremony normally throws up something special, so here's a few arresting images from years gone by to get your juices flowing.
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What does it mean to be a woman? asks Christine and the Queens starpublished at 19:17 GMT 22 February 2017
Christine and the Queens frontwoman and everybody's favourite pansexual Heloise Letissie has been talking to our man Mark Savage on the red carpet about the added importance of strong feminists right now.
And on what it means to be a woman.
Tthe French singer could cause a celeb feud tonight as she's up against Beyonce and her sister Solange for the International female solo artist award...Ouch - Bon Chance.
Image source, Getty Images
No such worries, she said: "If they want they can adopt me. I wouldn't be against it.
Quote Message
"I'd probably be the weird cousin at the table, but I'm up for it."
On her outfit tonight (see below), she adds that she intended to celebrate "the beauty of mess" and bring it to the red carpet, and adds that it's "about time" that grime star Skepta got a "proper slot".
Media caption,
Christine and the Queens wants Beyonce and Solange to adopt her
Call me 'Little Red Riding Dude'published at 19:10 GMT 22 February 2017
Simon Neil from Biffy Clyro has embraced the rock star look for this year's Brits and isn't afraid of some choice descriptions.
The Emperor's Royal Guard from Star Wars? Check. Red Carpet Man. Check.
They are up for best British band but they haven't bothered preparing anything just in case, it would take the fun out of it...
M'on The Biff!
Media caption,
Biffy Clyro on preparing awards speeches at the Brits 2017
Where are One Direction?published at 18:57 GMT 22 February 2017
No sign of the 1D boys yet...and it's all too much for some of you.
Hang in there...
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We know that former bandmate Zayn is back on speaking terms with them, and of course he is nominated tonight, but we think that Polina is being a little mischievous with this 'pic'.
Don't believe the (photoshopped) hype peeps.
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