Spiky quartet the Kaiser Chiefs were the big winners as the British music industry handed out its most prestigious awards, the BRITs, in London on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2006. The British foursome, whose debut album, "Employment," sold more than 1 million copies in Britain last year, carried off three major awards: Best British Group, Best British Rock Act and Best British Live Act.
Madonna kisses Chris Martin of Coldplay as she hands him the award for Best British Album at the BRIT Awards in London on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2006. Madonna, who was up for three awards, was named International Female Solo Artist thanks to the success of her latest album, "Confessions On A Dance Floor." The awards are the British equivalent of the Grammys.
Scottish singer/songwriter KT Tunstall performs after winning her BRIT for Best British Female Artist at the awards show in London on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2006. The biggest night in the British music calendar took place at London's Earls Court Arena.
British band Arctic Monkeys perform during their concert at Guildhall in Portsmouth, England, on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2006. Arctic Monkeys won Best British Breakthrough Act at the BRIT Awards, held the same night in London. Band members include lead singer Alex Turner, second right, guitarist Jamie Cook, right, bassist Andy Nicholson, left, and drummer Matt Helders.
Paris Hilton announces the award for Best International Album at the BRIT Awards in London on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2006. Green Day won the award for "American Idiot." The band was also named Best International Group.
Paul Weller performs after winning the Outstanding Contribution to Music Award at the BRIT Awards in London on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2006. As charismatic front man of The Jam, Weller fronted the most popular British band of the punk era, influencing legions of English rockers that ranged from his mod revival contemporaries to the Smiths in the 1980s and Oasis in the '90s.
Kanye West performs with a group of gold-leafed ladies at the BRIT Awards in London on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2006. West was named Best International Solo Male Artist at the event, which is the British equivalent of the Grammys. Other nominees in the category included Beck, Bruce Springsteen, Jack Johnson and John Legend.
Double Grammy-winner Kelly Clarkson performs barefoot at the BRIT Awards in London on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2006. Clarkson was nominated for Best International Female Solo Artist and Best Pop Act, but went home empty-handed.
Chris Martin of Coldplay performs at the BRIT Awards in London on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2006. The British band won the award for Best Album for the multimillion seller, "X&Y" and Best British Single for their hit, "Speed of Sound."
British singer-song writer James Blunt performs at the BRIT Awards in London on Wednesday Feb. 15, 2006. Blunt won the prize for Best Pop Act, beating Will Young, Madonna, Katie Melua and Kelly Clarkson. The 28-year-old former soldier was also named best British Male Solo Artist. His debut CD, "Back to Bedlam," was Britain's best-selling album of 2005.
Jack Johnson, winner of the 2006 BRIT for Best International Breakthrough Act, performs at the show in London on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2006. Johnson beat out Fire Rough Trade, Daniel Powter, John Legend and the Pussycat Dolls for the award.
Prince performs his hit "Purple Rain" at the BRIT Awards in London on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2006. It was his first appearance at the awards show since 1997. The BRIT Awards, the British equivalent of the Grammys, usually attract a sprinkling of international stars as well as top British acts.
A blonde Kelly Osbourne announces Green Day as the Best International Group at London's BRIT Awards on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2006. The awards given annually are the most prestigious awards in the British music industry.
British group Kaiser Chiefs accept their award for Best British Rock Act at the BRIT Awards in London on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2006. The band was also named Best British Group and Best British Live Act at the British equivalent of the Grammys.
Kanye West performs at the BRIT Awards in London Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2006. The awards given annually are the most prestigious awards in the British music industry. West won Best International Solo Male Artist at the event.
Lead singer Alex Turner of the British band Arctic Monkeys performs during their concert at Guildhall in Portsmouth, England, on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2006. Arctic Monkeys won the Best British Breakthrough Act at the BRIT Awards.
No, she's not singing! British actress Thandie Newton announces the Best British Live Act winner at the BRIT Awards in London on Wednesday Feb. 15, 2006. The awards given annually are the most prestigious awards in the British music industry. The winner was the Kaiser Chiefs.
British rock band Coldplay celebrates winning the BRIT for Best British Album at the BRIT Awards in London Wednesday Feb. 15, 2006. The awards ceremony comes at the end of a banner year for British music. Industry statistics released Tuesday showed that British artists accounted for just under half of all albums sold in 2005 -- the highest level since 1998. Six of the year's 10 best-selling albums were by British artists.
British urban act Lemar poses for the cameras as he arrives at the BRIT Awards in London on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2006. Lemar was named Best British Urban Act, beating out fellow nominees Craig David, Dizzee Rascal, Kano, and Ms. Dynamite.
British singer-songwriter Boy George poses for the cameras with an unidentified companion as he arrives at the BRIT Awards on Wednesday Feb. 15, 2006. Boy George, fresh from a court appearance in New York, was a presenter at the ceremony held at London's Earls Court Arena.