Top rockers in U.K.: Franz Ferdinand
Franz Ferdinand warmed up for the Grammys by taking key honors Wednesday in the Brit Awards, the U.K.’s top music competition.
The Scottish band was named best British rock act and best British group.
Franz Ferdinand will perform in the opening segment of Sunday’s Grammy telecast, where it is nominated for group rock performance, short-form video and alternative album
Rapper the Streets (Mike Skinner) was named best British male solo artist at the Brit ceremonies in London, and Joss Stone won as British female solo artist and urban act.
The rock duo Muse took the award for best British live act, and Keane for best British album and breakthrough act.
In a BBC2 radio listeners poll for best British song of the past 25 years, Robbie Williams’ “Angel” outpaced a field that included Queen’s “We Are the Champions” and Joy Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart.”
Band Aid founder Bob Geldof was honored for his “outstanding contribution to music,” but a Band Aid 20th anniversary record lost out to Will Young’s “Your Game” for best British single.
International winners included the Scissor Sisters (for best group, breakthrough group and album), Eminem and Gwen Stefani.
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