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Flashy, fiery, and all too often more famous for the catalogue of disasters that seem to ensue each year than for any musical merit, the Brits hold a rather unusual place in our hearts.
Here, we celebrate the good, the bad and the ugly of the Brits of the past, and wait with baited breath to find out what antics will ensue next year.
The Good
Adele’s breakthrough performance
It’s hard to believe that just a year ago, international pop sensation Adele was virtually unknown. Booked to perform at the Brits as a gentle refrain between Take That’s barrage of riot police and Rihanna’s raunchy onstage antics, no one could have predicted quite what an overwhelming success her set would be. Performing her previously unheard track “Someone Like You”, Adele reduced a stunned audience to silence and secured her place in the best Brits performances of all time. Watch the video here if you didn’t catch if first time round.
Madonna’s Bedtime Story
Debatably among the best Brits opening performances, queen of transformation, Madonna, appeared radiant in a shimmering maxi dress and flowing blonde locks in when she sang Bedtime Stories in 1995. Unfortunately for the mother-of-four, her performance caused no controversy whatsoever, and so has been largely forgotten.
The Spice Girls
Zigazigahing their way onto the stage, the Spice Girls were a revolution in Brit Pop, as were their outfits. This performance planted Scary, Sporty, Ginger in that dress, Baby and Posh firmly on the international stage.
The Bad
Back in 1989 when Brits execs hatched the questionable plan to pair Page Three model Sam Fox with rock legend Mick Fleetwood, they had no idea what they were letting themselves, or the nation, in for. An evening of fluffed lines, bungled prompts and awkward moments ensued. Although fairly inoffensive, the show was widely perceived to be among the most disastrous live TV shows ever, and set the precedent for awkward Brits moments forever more. Catch The Brits ‘89 here.
The Ugly
When most people think of the Brits, they get little further than Jarvis Cocker storming the stage during Michael Jackson’s set in 1996.
During Jackson’s already awkwardly sentimental and dogmatic rendition of his hit ‘Earth Song’, a deranged Cocker leapt onto the stage and proceeded to gesture at the audience. Cocker was later arrested on suspicion on causing injury, but released without charge, and subsequently earned the crown for most awkward moment in Brits’ history.
Images: Press Association
