Radiohead top Q Awards again
Guitar band Radiohead were today named best act in the world for the second year running at a respected music awards show.
Despite releasing only a live album in the past year, the band beat heavyweights such as Oasis and U2 to the title at the Q Awards.
Oasis were left empty-handed even though they had headed the nomination tally for Q magazine’s annual bash by making the shortlist for three titles.
They lost out in the best single category to Sugababes for chart-topper Freak Like Me, while the best live act title – for which Oasis were also nominated - went to Swedish punk-pop act The Hives.
Radiohead enjoyed huge success – particularly in the US – with their last two studio albums, even though they left many fans baffled by their experimental direction.
The Oxford quintet has kept a low profile at home for the last 12 months as they recorded new tracks and played just a handful of festival dates.
The prized best album title went to Coldplay for A Rush Of Blood To The Head, beating Doves, Beth Orton, Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Vines. They have now won the title for both their albums with debut Parachutes taking the prize in 2000.
Among the winners of honorary titles were hip-swinging chart veteran Tom Jones who landed the Q Merit Award for his career stretching nearly four decades.
The booming Welsh singer revitalised his standing in recent years with Reload, his album of duets which featured collaborations with Cerys Matthews of Catatonia and Stereophonics.
Electronic pioneers Depeche Mode, who became a huge stadium-conquering act in the US despite an often lukewarm response at home in the UK were recognised with the Q Innovation Award.
Echo And The Bunnymen, who spearheaded the Liverpool post-punk scene and turned gloomy psychedelia into a chart commodity, were given the Q Inspiration Award.
The full list of winners for the Q Awards 2002 are:
* Best new act – Electric Soft Parade.
* Q merit award – Tom Jones.
* Best single – Sugababes, Freak Like Me.
* Best video – Pink, Get The Party Started.
* Best producer – Moby (for his own album, 18).
* Q innovation award – Depeche Mode.
* Best live act – The Hives.
* Best album – Coldplay, A Rush of Blood to the Head.
* Q inspiration award – Echo And The Bunnymen.
* Q classic songwriter award – Jimmy Cliff.
* Best act in the world today – Radiohead.
