Q AWARD WINNERS 2005

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The Special Award



John Lennon
Presented by Yoko Ono

The Inspiration Award

Bjork
Presented by Robert Wyatt

The Legend Award



Joy Division
Presented by Guy Garvey from Elbow

The Innovation In Sound Award

The Prodigy
Presented by Trevor Horn

The Outstanding Contribution To Music Award



Paul Weller
Presented by Richard Archer from Hard-Fi

Best Act In The World Today



Coldplay
Presented by Ian McCulloch

Best Video

Gorillaz - Feel Good Inc.
Presented by Sparks

The Lifetime Achievement Award

The Bee Gees
Presented by Charlotte Church

The Classic Songwriter Award



Nick Cave
Presented by Ian Rankin

The Icon Award

Jimmy Page
Presented by Paul Rees, Q editor

The Birthday Honour

Michael Eavis
Presented by Chris Martin

Best Producer



Gorillaz/Danger Mouse - Demon Days
Presented by Sharleen Spiteri

The Peoples Choice

Oasis
Presented by Jonathan Ross

Best Album



Oasis - Don't Believe The Truth
Presented by Richard Ashcroft

Best Live Act

U2

The Classic Song Award



Ray Davies
Presented by Damon Albarn

Best Track

KT Tunstall - Black Horse And The Cherry Tree
Presented by The Sugababes

Best New Act

James Blunt
Presented by Colin & Edith

Oh well, I'm rather happy with most of the special-type awards...Nick Cave, Joy Division, Bjork and suchlike. I'm not so pleased to see the mediocrity of Tunstall and Blunt being rewarded but that's the way the cocaine crumbles I s'pose. Funny to note how Albarn the rip-off merchant presented an award to Ray Davies...oooh, the cheek of him.

Anyway...best heckles of the night came from Liam Gallagher as per usual...it's good to know all is still right and proper in this fucked-up world. He reportedly goaded Chris Martin with the quality insult "Nob-head! Come on, have a pop. You're a fucking plant pot!" ...but later dismissed his comments as mere booze-fuelled "banter" and even said "I much prefer Chris Martin to Robbie Williams. He's a nice guy and I really do get a buzz off his music. He's just a bit serious that's all. He needs to lighten up a bit..." Earlier in the evening Liam had branded Robbie Williams "a twat - and a fat one at that!"...HAHA! Chris Martin's response to Liam's colourful 'banter', "We're not fighting anyone except George Bush and his guys. Although Liam is being rude, I think he's a bit charming."...oh Chris, you big poncey dullard. Take a verbal swipe at the lairy simpleton, you might even get a kick out of it. It's rock 'n' roll 'n' shit.

[Psychocandy]

I'll tackle these one at a time.

The Special Award - John Lennon

I'm neither a fan of The Beatles nor of any of their various solo and non-Beatles band outings. Whether i'm a fan or not though is besides the point. Their influence either collectively or individually (with the exception of Ringo) on many of the artists and bands that I love cannot be overstated. So fair play.

The Inspiration Award - Bjork

It seem the further this Icelandic pixie gets into her solo careet the more distance she puts between herself and current musical trends. She's about as far from middle of the road commercial blandness as it's possible to get and still be successful. This award is a well earned recognition of her talent.

The Legend Award - Joy Division

A great band. Indisputably one of the most important bands in the last thirty years. Hugely influential and sadly short lived as a result of the most tragic circumstances. I own the box set that collects together everything they recorded plus various live recordings. It's one of my most treasured possessions. A remarkable band and another well deserved award

The Innovation In Sound Award - The Prodigy

I hated their debut album but Music For The Jilted Generation and The Fat Of The Land (particularly the former) were remarkable albums that displayed a visceral understanding of the sort of music that makes you want to jump up and down and dance till you were ready to drop in a sweaty heap. Since then it's been a long downward spiral that culminated in the release of the woefully mediocre Always Outnumbered Never Outgunned (a misrepresentative title if ever there was one). But even if the timing is off they still deserve respect for the two classics they produced back when they mattered.

The Outstanding Contribution To Music Award - Paul Weller

Fair enough. The Jam were inarguably a singles band but the singles in themselves were remarkable. I'll ignore the bland whiteboy soul of The Style Council and proceed to a solo career that kicked off in fine style but hit various speed bumps in recent years (the covers album was a BAD idea). His new album is a return to the form he displayed on Wild Wood and Stanley Road so all is forgiven and this is another well deserved award.

Best Act In The World Today - Coldplay

I disagree. I do like them and I do think that they are a talented live outfit but having seen them play to a huge crowd in a huge park during the summer I have some serious reservations. They just didn't connect with the audience like I expected them to. The band themselves have expressed regret over the arena tour for the same reasons and have vowed to play only smaller indoor gigs in future. We'll see. A talented bunch. That's not in dispute but they are nowhere near the best act in the world today (cough...The Arcade Fire...cough).

Best Video - Gorrilaz' Feel Good Inc'

A great video. A well deserved win.

The Lifetime Achievement Award - The Bee Gees

If you have asked me a couple of years back what I thought of The Bee Gees my response would have been a lot less enthusiastic than it would be if you asked me today. Having listened at length to their greatet hits album I discovered that they had far greater range than I was aware of and had amassed a body of classic songs long before Grease and Saturday Night Fever were even the dimmest of lights on the horizon. Nice one.

The Classic Songwriter Award - Nick Cave

I'd have been happy if he had been given all the special awards but this one in particular is a well earned recognition of someone who has time and time again displayed a virtuoso talent for writing classic songs. A hugely underrated talent. His twin releases in 2005 were two of the finest albums i've heard in years. Long may he continue.

To be continued...

[screamer581]

I have never heard of the Q awards, but I like a lot of the winners. It's always nice to see John Lennon, Bjork, U2, and yes.. Coldplay pick up some awards. *awaits the Coldplay bashing*