The night's first winner rocked out on his acoustic guitar and a very colorful backdrop for "Bloodstream."
The Brit Awards, the annual flagship U.K. music awards show, brought out stars and industry folks alike in the British capital Wednesday night.
The British version of the Grammys started at 8 p.m. local time (noon PST) at London’s O2 Arena. Madonna, Taylor Swift, Sam Smith, Ed Sheeran, Paloma Faith, George Ezra, Royal Blood and Take That were among the performers. Madonna’s first performance at the show in 20 years was marred by a nasty fall, as the singer was accidently pulled off the stage by a back-up dancer.
As for the awards, Sheeran and Smith took home two each. Smith won for album of the year, for x, and best British male solo artist, while Smith nabbed British breakthrough act and global success award. Other winners included Swift, Pharrell Williams, Foo Fighters, One Direction, and Mark Ronson.
After comedian James Corden, who is taking over the Late Late Show, last year hosted the event for the fifth year in a row, British TV personalities Ant and Dec took on the hosting duties this year.
The U.K. music awards ceremony aired live on ITV in Britain, and was also available to a global audience via a live stream on YouTube. In the U.S., Fuse is airing the awards show at 11:30 p.m.
The Brit Awards are determined by a 1,000-strong academy of music industry folks and fan votes. Already announced before the event was the Critics’ Choice winner, James Bay.
Here is the full list of winners.
British Album of the Year:
Ed Sheeran – x (WINNER)
Alt-J – This Is All Yours
George Ezra – Wanted on Voyage
Royal Blood – Royal Blood
Sam Smith – In the Lonely Hour
British Artist Video of the Year:
One Direction – “You & I” (WINNER)
Calvin Harris – “Summer”
Charli XCX – “Boom Clap”
Duke Dumont ft. Jax Jones – “I Got U”
Ed Sheeran – “Thinking Out Loud”
Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars – “Uptown Funk”
Rita Ora – “I Will Never Let You Down”
Route 94 ft. Jess Glynne – “My Love”
Sam Smith – “Stay With Me”
Sigma – “Nobody to Love”
British Breakthrough Act:
Sam Smith (WINNER)
Chvrches
FKA Twigs
George Ezra
Royal Blood
International Group:
Foo Fighters (WINNER)
5 Seconds of Summer
Black Keys
First Aid Kit
The War On Drugs
British Single:
Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars – “Uptown Funk” (WINNER)
Calvin Harris – “Summer”
Clean Bandit ft. Jess Glynne – “Rather Be”
Duke Dumont ft. Jax Jones – “I Got U”
Ed Sheeran – “Thinking Out Loud”
Ella Henderson – “Ghost”
George Ezra – “Budapest”
Route 94 ft. Jess Glynne – “My Love”
Sam Smith – “Stay With Me”
Sigma – “Nobody to Love”
International Male Solo Artist:
Pharrell Williams (WINNER)
Beck
Hozier
Jack White
John Legend
Global Success Award:
Paloma Faith (WINNER)
Ella Henderson
FKA Twigs
Jessie Ware
Lily Allen
International Female Solo Artist:
Taylor Swift (WINNER)
Beyonce
Lana Del Rey
Sia
St. Vincent
British group:
Royal Blood (WINNER)
Alt-J
Clean Bandit
Coldplay
One Direction
Best British Male Solo Artist:
Ed Sheeran (WINNER)
Damon Albarn
George Ezra
Paolo Nutini
Sam Smith
Critics’ Choice:
James Bay (WINNER)
George The Poet
Years & Years
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