Brit Awards 2013: Lana Del Rey, Frank Ocean Among Big Winners

LONDON -- Emeli Sande, Ben Howard, Lana Del Rey and Frank Ocean were among the big winners Wednesday at the Brit Awards, the British music industry's top award show.

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Sande, who performed during the London 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony, picked up the evening's first award for best British female artist, which included a posthumous nomination for Amy Winehouse. She was presented her award by Taylor Swift, who was among the headline performers on the show broadcast live on British commercial broadcaster ITV.

Sande returned to the stage later to take home the British album of the year plaudit for Our Version of Events, presented by Bryan Ferry.

Singer-songwriter Howard picked up two Brits, for British breakthrough act and best British male award -- the latter presented to him by last year's winner Ed Sheeran. Howard's nods were separated by Justin Timberlake's first-ever live performance of his latest single "Mirrors."

Del Rey emerged clutching the trophy for best international female solo artist, her second consecutive win in the category. She beat out Rihanna, Alicia Keys, 
Cat Power
 and Swift in an all-American assault on the prize.

Presented the award by The X Factor's U.K. live show presenter Dermott O'Leary and Sharon Osbourne, Del Rey thanked the Brit organizers, avoiding the previous year's misstep when she thanked Germany.

North American acts also dominated the international male category with Ocean taking home the award over fellow nominees Bruce Springsteen,
 Gotye,
 Jack White
 and Michael Buble.

Ocean thanked artist Damian Hirst "for the polkadots" adorning this year's Brit Award statue and noted that he had come a long way from "working fast food in New Orleans."

Adele walked off with the evening's award for best British single for "Skyfall," the title song from the record-breaking James Bond film. The singer sent a taped message from L.A., where she is rehearsing to perform the song at Sunday's Academy Awards.

Other absentee winners included The Black Keys, who won the international group award over Alabama Shakes, fun., The Killers and The Script. Dave Grohl accepted the award on the Keys' behalf with a shout-out of "long live rock 'n' roll."

Mumford & Sons, hot off their album of the year win at the Grammys, picked up best British group, presented to them by Simon Pegg and Berenice Marlohe.

Coldplay collected its eighth career Brit Award, beating The Rolling Stones and others for best British live act.

The show rocked from the beginning with an opening set from Muse before host James Corden took to the vast stage at the O2 Arena to kick off the evening's prize-giving.

Boy band One Direction, a product of The X Factor U.K., picked up the inuagural Global Success Award, which aims to recognize a British act's worldwide success.

Aside from Muse, Timberlake and Swift, other live performances included Robbie Williams, Mumford & Sons, One Direction and Sande.

The ceremony is the U.K.'s largest annual music awards show dished out by the music industry.