Brit Awards 2012

Brit Awards 2012
Date21 February 2012
VenueThe O2 Arena
Hosted byJames Corden
Most awardsAdele and Ed Sheeran (2)
Most nominationsEd Sheeran (4)
Websitebrits.co.uk
Television/radio coverage
NetworkITV
Viewership6.2 million[1]
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Brit Awards 2012 was held on 21 February 2012. This was the 32nd edition of the British Phonographic Industry's annual Brit Awards. The awards ceremony was held at The O2 Arena in London for the second time. The ceremony was presented by James Corden.[2] Leading the nominations was Ed Sheeran with four, followed by Adele and Jessie J with three, whilst Bon Iver, Aloe Blacc, Coldplay and Florence and the Machine all had two.[3][4]

Amy Winehouse and Whitney Houston received remembrance tributes due to their deaths in July 2011 and February 2012, respectively.[3][4][5] Adele picked up two awards for Best British Album and British Female, whilst Sheeran also won two awards for Best British Male and British Breakthrough.[6] Blur received the Outstanding Contribution to Music award. The statue was designed by Peter Blake.

Performances

Artist(s) Song(s) UK Singles Chart reaction UK Albums Chart reaction
Coldplay "Charlie Brown" 30 (+85) Mylo Xyloto – 6 (+5)
Florence and the Machine "No Light, No Light" 50 Ceremonials – 9 (+14)
Lungs – 34 (+22)
Olly Murs
Rizzle Kicks 		"Heart Skips a Beat" N/A In Case You Didn't Know – 16 (+1)
Olly Murs – 53 (–8)

Stereo Typical – 23 (–5)

Ed Sheeran "Lego House" 17 (+20) + – 3 (+2)
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds
Chris Martin 		"AKA... What a Life!" N/A Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds – 12 (+4)
Adele "Rolling in the Deep" 28 (+11) 21 – 1 (+2)
19 – 7 (+2)
Bruno Mars "Just the Way You Are" Did not chart Doo-Wops & Hooligans – 11 (+4)
Rihanna "We Found Love" 22 (+12) Talk That Talk – 18 (+9)
Loud – 26 (+2)
Blur
Phil Daniels 		"Girls & Boys"
"Song 2"
"Parklife"
"Tender"
"This Is a Low" 		Did not chart
64
74
Did not chart
Did not chart 		Blur: The Best Of – 22 (re-entry)

Winners and nominees

British Album of the Year
(presented by George Michael) 		British Producer of the Year
(presented by Laura Marling)
British Single of the Year
(presented by Tinie Tempah) 		Critics' Choice Award
(presented by James Corden and Jessie J)
British Male Solo Artist
(presented by Plan B) 		British Female Solo Artist
(presented by Kylie Minogue)
British Group
(presented by Jo Whiley and Huey Morgan) 		British Breakthrough Act
(presented by Cesc Fàbregas and Nicole Scherzinger)
International Male Solo Artist
(presented by Jessie J and Jack Whitehall) 		International Female Solo Artist
(presented by Jenson Button)
International Group
(presented by Brian May and Roger Taylor) 		International Breakthrough Act
(presented by will.i.am and Rob Brydon)

Outstanding Contribution to Music

Multiple nominations and awards

Two-time winner Ed Sheeran as most nominations and awards
Artists that received multiple nominations
Nominations Artist
4 Ed Sheeran
3
(2) 		Adele
Jessie J
2
(5) 		Aloe Blacc
Bon Iver
Coldplay
Emeli Sandé
Florence and the Machine
Artists that received multiple awards
Awards Artist
2
(2) 		Adele
Ed Sheeran

Acceptance speech controversy

Adele and Blur

Adele was cut off by host James Corden during her acceptance speech for the MasterCard British Album of the Year award, causing her to "give the finger" on national television.[7] Adele stated that the gesture was aimed at "the suits", not her fans. ITV issued an apology to the show as a spokesman for the network stated:

The Brits is a live event. Unfortunately the programme was over-running and we had to move on. We would like to apologise to Adele for the interruption.

Corden was also upset by the occurrence, stating afterwards:

I don't understand what happened but I'm upset about it. Blur get to play for 11 minutes and [Adele] gets to say thank you once.

Due to the over-running, Blur's set was also cut off, prior to their performance of "Tender".

Emeli Sandé

There was more controversy later on in the show when Emeli Sandé wasn't allowed to give a speech after winning the Critic's Choice Award. Sandé was said to be distressed by the bosses of the show and also angry after Adele got an apology for being cut off, whereas she did not. During the presentation of the award, previous winner Jessie J was asked to give her advice on her career instead of Sandé giving a speech. A friend of Sandé's said to the Daily Record:

She's had a number-one album with Our Version of Events in the UK and they're asking Jessie J what advice she has got for her.

A spokesman for ITV later gave an apology to Sandé, stating:

Because there was more music than ever before, everything got pushed back. The public love Emeli. They really support her and think she's fantastic.

References

  1. ^ 6.2 million viewers watch The Brit Awards on ITV1 Archived 21 February 2019 at the Wayback Machine - 22 Feb 2012
  2. ^ Jonze, Tim (21 February 2012). "Brit Awards 2012 Live Coverage". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 27 February 2012.
  3. ^ a b Adele, Coldplay Lead BRIT Award Nominations one direction Rolling Stone. Retrieved 4 February 2012
  4. ^ a b The BRIT Awards 2012 nominees Archived 28 November 2015 at the Wayback Machine Brits.co.uk. Retrieved 4 February 2012
  5. ^ Hogan, Michael (21 February 2012). "Brit Awards 2012: as it happened". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 27 February 2012.
  6. ^ "Adele cut short amid triumph". BBC News. 21 February 2012. Retrieved 27 February 2012.
  7. ^ "Brit awards 2012: James Corden 'furious' at stopping Adele mid-flow". Daily Telegraph. London. 21 February 2012. Retrieved 27 February 2012.