The spectacular rise of Dido, from a barely known singer with a small following a year ago to super-rich global star, was crowned in London yesterday with two Brit awards.
Carrying off the best British female award and best album (for her debut album No Angel), Dido saw off her rivals
on the home front, but there was a predictable win for Kylie Minogue as best international female artist. The elfin Australian also won the best international album prize for Fever.
Robbie Williams was voted best British male, setting a record with his 13th Brit award, though some of these were won as a member of Take That. This is the third time he has won best solo male artist.
Travis were best group, beating Radiohead and the Stereophonics among others. Both Radiohead and Travis lost out to Dido in the best album category.
So Solid Crew turned out to be award-winners, their 21 Seconds video being chosen as the best of the year, ahead of the likes of Damon Albarn's alter ego Gorillaz, and Elton John. But the south London crew lost out to Blue as best British newcomer.
Westlife's period of fame is lasting considerably longer than the 15 minutes allowed to most boy bands. The Irish group show no signs of losing their fan base and were voted best pop act in the world.
Destiny's Child also continue to have a loyal following in Britain, winning best international group.
Sting won a standing ovation as he received a special award for his contribution to the music industry. He went on to play a set of some of his greatest hits.
Sir Elton John, who was one of the unsuccessful nominees at the Brits, gave a damning indictment of the British music industry and some of its most popular bands when he was interviewed on TV the same night.
"Nowadays record companies want the quick buck from the Backstreet Boys, 'NSync, Britney Spears, S Club 7 ... They've always been around.
"I'm not knocking the music perhaps, but it's like packets of cereal," he said. "There are too many of them, too many of them are just average and mediocre."
- INDEPENDENT
