The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Emeli takes home Brit
Emeli Sande collected the prize for best British Female Solo Artist at last night’s Brit Awards.
Aberdeenshire singer Sande, won the accolade for the second time after success in 2013.
Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, pictured, sang along with the late George Michael at the Brit Awards in tribute to the pop star, who died on Christmas Day.
The haunting performance saw Martin sing Michael’s ballad A Different Corner, before being joined by a clip of Michael, the two harmonising together.
In the background, clips from throughout Michael’s prestigious career were shown on the screen, adding to the poignancy of the tribute.
Martin’s pared-back set was preceded by a tearful speech from Michael’s former Wham! co-star Andrew Ridgeley and the band’s backing singers Helen DeMacque and Shirlie Holliman, Emeli Sande has collected the prize for best British Female Solo Artist while indie-pop group The 1975 were named the Best British Group.
Aberdeenshire singer Sande was handed the accolade for the second time after previous success in 2013 when she also won the album of the year award.
She thanked her family and management for the prize as she was joined on stage by her sister, to whom she dedicated her success.
David Bowie won two gongs at the Brit Awards, just over a year since his death.
The music superstar was named best British Male Solo Artist, receiving the accolade for the third time, while his final album Blackstar, which was released just two days before his death, won Album of the Year.
Bowie, who died of cancer in January last year aged 69, is the first posthumous winner of those two awards in the Brits’ history.
Picking up the album award, Bowie’s son Duncan Jones said: “I lost my dad last year but I also became a dad, and I was spending a lot of time after getting over the shock of trying to work out what would I want my son to know about his granddad.
“And I think it would be the same thing my dad’s fans have taken over the last 50 years, that, he’s always been there supporting people who think they’re a little bit weird or a little bit strange, a little bit different.
“He’s always been there for them. So, this is for all the kooks and the people who make the kooks. Thanks Brits.”
Bowie beat grime artists Skepta and Kano, singersongwriter Michael Kiwanuka and comeback star Craig David in the British Male Solo Artist category.
Actor Michael C Hall, who starred in Bowie’s Lazarus musical, collected the award and paid tribute to the Young Americans singer.
He said: “If David Bowie could be here tonight, he probably wouldn’t be here tonight.
“But since he can’t be here tonight I’m here on his behalf, on behalf of his family, to accept this testament to a man beholden to nothing but his own boundless imagination and daring, whose ever-expanding artistic vitality simultaneously soothes us and astonishes us . . . maybe he is here tonight, I don’t know.”
He added: “I’m honoured to stand before you and acknowledge the potency of his work and if I may also acknowledge that David’s kindness and generosity and enthusiasm will forever inspire me to be a better man.
“On his behalf, thank you.”
Bowie received the Outstanding Contribution to British Music award in 1996.
Manchester-formed The 1975 beat Radiohead, Bastille, Little Mix and Biffy Clyro to win their first Brit Award.
“This is for all the kooks and the people who make the kooks”
Their win also means the Brits’ 40-year wait for a girl group to collect the prize continues.
Frontman Matt Healy urged musicians to use their “platform” during the band’s victory speech.
He said: “I just wanna say, at the moment, I think