Kaiser Chiefs lead new talent wave to Brit glory

LONDON - Kaiser Chiefs led a parade of new stars to glory at the Brit Awards today when the indie rockers landed three top prizes at the music industry's big night of the year.

In a triumphant ceremony for pop newcomers, former British soldier turned singer-songwriter James Blunt scooped two awards and the Arctic Monkeys, champions of internet marketing, were hailed as the big breakthrough act of the year.

But Madonna, fabled mother of reinvention with her best-selling dance album, showed the staying power of a veteran superstar when being picked as International Female Artist of the Year.

Acknowledging the influence of a string of British singers from David Bowie to The Pet Shop Boys, Madonna thanked loyal British fans and said "Without you I would just be another singer across the pond".

Kaiser Chiefs were picked as the Best British Group of the Year as well as winning Live Act and Rock Act statuettes.

"This means the world to us," said lead singer Ricky Wilson.

Blunt, crowning a memorable year when he emerged from pop obscurity to top the charts, was chosen as Best British Male Artist and as Best Pop Act.

The high-pitched singer quipped: "I've been accused so many times of singing like a girl. Now I've won Best British Male maybe that will remind me I should sing more like a man in future."

But the coveted Best British Album Award went to stadium stars Coldplay who have led the renaissance of new groups in Britain, the world's third largest music market after the United States and Japan.

Coldplay landed a second Brit statuette for "Speed of Sound" as Best British Single of the Year.

Lead singer Chris Martin, so overjoyed that he did a cartwheel on stage, said: "It's hard for us sometimes because we're English and we don't get to admit that we are great. So tonight we'd like to agree with you for giving us this award."

In Britain, album sales dipped 2.7 per cent last year but the fall was cushioned by the strong performance of UK artists who ensured the drop was not as sharp as the 7.2 per cent fall recorded in the United States.

Nearly half the albums sold in Britain in 2005 were by UK acts - and six of those topped the one million mark.

The diminutive KT Tunstall was chosen as Best British Female Artist of the Year and Lemar was hailed as Best British Urban Act.

Irish stars U2 swept all before them at last week's Grammys but at the Brits they lost out to Green Day who scooped the Best International Group and Best International Album awards.

On stage, one of the biggest cheers of the night was reserved for US superstar Prince. Making his first appearance at the Brits since 1997, he rolled back the years singing "Purple Rain" as purple hearts cascaded down on the crowd.

But the most spectacular performance of the night was put on by Kanye West, who was surrounded by 77 scantily clad dancers in gold G-strings and body paint.

- REUTERS