MISSES HITS Brit Awards hits & misses

ashikinr@sph.com.sg

Last year's Brit Awards was such a sad, forgettable snoozefest that some critics called it the "Bore Awards".

But Wednesday's edition of the annual music ceremony in celebration of the British pop industry, held at London's O2 Arena, managed to redeem itself with buzzworthy moments.

Here are its hits and misses.

GETTING JIGGY AS ZIGGY

David Bowie chose to stay at home and appointed English supermodel Kate Moss to accept his British Male Solo Artist award instead.

Decked out in his original Ziggy Stardust costume called Woodland Creatures - first worn by Bowie in 1972 - she rocked the look as she read out his speech: "Kate comes from Venus and I from Mars, so that's nice. I'm completely delighted to have a Brit for being the best male, but I am, aren't I Kate? I think it's a great way to end the day. Thank you very, very much and Scotland - stay with us."

HATS OFF

Guess which newly-minted "star" arrived at the red carpet seated on a plush velvet cushion like royalty and flanked by English hip-hop duo Rizzle Kicks?

It's not even human - just US singer Pharrell Williams' massive Mountain hat which caused an online stir when it made its debut at last month's Grammys and later reappeared on his head during his medley of Get Lucky, Good Times and Happy with US musician Nile Rodgers.

ROYAL SNIPE

Lorde called her International Female Solo Artist win a "priceless surprise" after she beat heavyweights Janelle Monae, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga and Pink.

But the Kiwi singer's gratitude also suspiciously sounded like a subtle dig at event sponsor MasterCard.

MasterCard's PR firm had reportedly asked journalists to agree to a series of conditions, including the use of the hashtag #PricelessSurprises in tweets, in exchange for accreditation.

It triggered an online backlash from the mortified members of the media.

BEST CHAMELEON EVER

From a witch (Grammy Awards) to a geisha (American Music Awards) to a boxer (MTV Video Music Awards), US pop star Katy Perry evolves faster than a chameleon for her performances.

This time, she was a modern-day Cleopatra, arriving on stage in a chariot during her Egyptian-inspired rendition of her latest hit Dark Horse.

Full marks for the amazing spectacle, but none for messing up history!

For one, we're pretty sure ancient Egyptian women did not pump their fists in the air, gyrate provocatively and pretend to lasso.

We are also pretty positive that the said women are turning in their graves.

HOST ON FIRE

Hosting the Brit Awards for the fifth and final time, English actor-presenter James Corden kicked off the proceedings with his tuxedo sleeve on fire - which was soon extinguished. Coming on after English rock band Arctic Monkeys performed against the giant fire-lit letters "A" and "M", he joked: "Bloody Arctic Monkeys and that fire!"

FASHION #FAIL

Lilac lipstick? A face bruise?

Brit singers Jessie J and Boy George, do yourselves a favour and fire your make-up artists, please!

While Jessie J at least admitted her bad decision and tweeted: "The lip didn't work. Get over it. I have. Onto the next look!". Boy George obviously relished his as he told British Vogue magazine that he opted for a beauty bruise because he was a "fashion victim". Right.

MONKEYING AROUND

The night's biggest miss was Alex Turner, frontman of English rock band Arctic Monkeys, who felt it appropriate to throw the microphone on the floor after making the point that rock 'n' roll "will never die" when accepting the award for MasterCard British Album of the Year.

"Invoice me for the microphone if you need to," he cockily said.

THE MISSING ONE

Harry Styles' untimely "wee" - or was it really a "cheeky cigarette" break? - had the other One Direction lads fumbling while accepting the Global Success award before he came barrelling onstage, breathless.

"Has anyone seen a curly-headed lad?" Liam Payne had asked when he went MIA.

His fellow boy bander, Louis Tomlinson, was no better.

"Keep strong and keep doing what you're doing", was his response to Justin Bieber's recent shenanigans. Seriously?!