Emeli Sandé has been crowned the queen of British music at the Brit Awards 2013. After a spectacular 12 months,which saw her album Our Version of Events become the best-selling album of last year as well at performances in both the opening and closing ceremonies of London Olympics, the 25-year-old won two coveted trophies at this year's Brit awards ceremony. Emeli picked up the best British female award and also best British album. Accepting the statuette for Our Version of Events, which sold 1.4 million copies, she described herself as an "unlikely popstar".
"This is an album I wrote because I didn't have the confidence to say these things in person," she told the star-studded crowd. "For me, that so many people have connected with this album and found strength in these words makes me feel incredible and it doesn't make me feel as lonely. "It was also a great night for newcomer Ben Howard who was not only named best British breakthrough but also walked away with best British male. "Wow, thank you very much," said the surprised singer-songwriter. "That's bizarre isn't it? I didn't expect to, um…I was quite stoked to come to the awards to be honest, so to come away with two of these things is amazing! Thank you all very much."Adele picked up the best single award for her James Bond theme Skyfall - but she was unable to accept the award in person. Instead she sent a video message in which she referred to last year's ceremony during which her best album speech was famously cut short.
"Sorry I can't be with you tonight, I'm in LA rehearsing for the Oscars," she said. "I won't keep you too long because I don't want to interrupt the best album speech at the end of the night. But I love you all. "Following their recent success at the Grammys, Mumford and Sons were named best British group. "We weren't really expecting that," said Marcus Mumford, who was supported at the ceremony by wife Carey Mulligan. "We love being British and we love going around the world and telling people we're British, so we're very proud and grateful. "Coldplay were named best British live act, while the Black Keys were crowned best international group and Lana Del Rey best international female.One Direction were awarded a Brit for their global success in recognition of their huge success overseas. The boys also gave their first live performance of their Comic Relief single, a medley of Blondie's One Way Or Another and The Undertones' Teenage Kicks.Other performers at the ceremony, hosted by James Corden, included Muse, Robbie Williams and Justin Timberlake.
Of course all eyes were on Taylor Swift and Harry Styles. Knowing she would bump into her ex at the annual event, the country star had pulled out all the stops in a long black Elie Saab gown with sheer panelling. As she walked out on stage to present the first award of the night to Emeli, the camera panned to Harry who was seen clapping graciously. Later on in the evening, Taylor returned to give a sexy performance of her new single I Knew You Were Trouble.Fittingly the evening ended with a beautiful live performance from Emeli who closed the show with a medley of her tracks.
