BRITAIN:For the second year running they failed to show. But that did not stop taciturn trailblazers Arctic Monkeys, credited with kick-starting a boom in young British guitar talent, from picking up yet another award for their record-breaking debut at last night's Brit awards.
The other big winner at last night's awards, hosted by Russell Brand and broadcast live for the first time since the Sam Fox and Mick Fleetwood-fronted debacle of 1989, was Amy Winehouse.
After singing her breakthrough single Rehab, which tells the tale of her refusal to check herself into a clinic at the behest of her record label, the gossip column regular was later presented with the best female artist prize by Jo Whiley.
Partly aided by the tabloid coverage afforded her recent drunken antics and universal critical acclaim for her No 1 album Back to Black, she beat an uncharacteristically strong field that also included the ska-tinged pop of Lily Allen and the catchy soul of Corinne Bailey Rae.
Industry experts said her win, allied to her tabloid appeal and outspokenness, was likely to propel her into the million-seller league. US group the Killers, who played When You Were Young on the night, beat Red Hot Chili Peppers to the best international group prize.
In other awards re-formed group Take That won the British single award, for their comeback track Patience. Canadian artist Nelly Furtado won international female solo artist and said: "I've wanted to be here since I was 17. All my favourite bands are here."
Las Vegas group The Killers had a double win with best international album for Sam's Town and best international group. James Morrison won best British male artist.
Arctic Monkeys, who sent a recorded message in lieu of attending the bash at Earls Court, London, were nevertheless awarded the best album prize for their triple platinum debut Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not and best group. In doing so they became the first release to win both the Mercury music prize and the best album prize at the Brits in the same year.
Credited with picking up where the Libertines left off in spearheading a fresh wave of interest in guitar bands among younger record buyers, their success has opened the door for others to enjoy mainstream hits.
The band, who will release their second album, Favourite Worst Nightmare, in April, had said they were not snubbing the awards. Bassist Matt Helders said they could not make it because they were filming the video for new single Brainstorm.
The BPI, the British record industry's trade association, which organises the annual event, has talked of a new golden age for British music after recently publishing figures showing the best market share for home-grown artists since the heady Britpop days of 1997.
A HMV spokesman, Gennaro Castaldo, said: "It's particularly telling and certainly unprecedented that so many new artists, such as James Morrison, Lily Allen and Paolo Nutini, have received nominations for the major artist awards, rather than having to pay their dues in the best breakthrough category. More than anything, this shows the sheer depth of a new generation of talent coming through to challenge the old guard."
With neat symmetry, the band that Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner credits with inspiring him to pick up a guitar were handed the outstanding contribution award. Oasis, who continue to prove their longevity by attracting new generations of fans, performed a set at the end of the night that was heavy on their era-defining early material.
Before a five-song set that included Rock 'n' Roll Star, Don't Look Back in Anger and Cigarettes and Alcohol, guitarist Noel Gallagher had quipped: "We're finally up there with Eurythmics, Sting and Bob Geldof, so I don't really think congratulations are in order."