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| James Corden braves his last Brits: 'I find it nerve-racking' | James Corden braves his last Brits: 'I find it nerve-racking' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| There are tough gigs, and there are rough gigs. But according to James Corden there are few trickier gigs than compering the Brit awards. The comedian and actor is to take on the music-industry crowd again at Wednesday's ceremony in London's O2 Arena, but he has announced this will be the last time. | There are tough gigs, and there are rough gigs. But according to James Corden there are few trickier gigs than compering the Brit awards. The comedian and actor is to take on the music-industry crowd again at Wednesday's ceremony in London's O2 Arena, but he has announced this will be the last time. |
| Although he is known for his confidence, Corden, 35, admits that hosting the awards night, which he will be doing for a record fifth time, still terrifies him. "I find it really nerve-racking. It's the most nervous I ever am in my life," he told Jonathan Ross on a chatshow on Saturday night, adding: "You just think: 'Don't ruin your career tonight. Just don't say something wrong.'" | Although he is known for his confidence, Corden, 35, admits that hosting the awards night, which he will be doing for a record fifth time, still terrifies him. "I find it really nerve-racking. It's the most nervous I ever am in my life," he told Jonathan Ross on a chatshow on Saturday night, adding: "You just think: 'Don't ruin your career tonight. Just don't say something wrong.'" |
| But is the event now anything but a staged pantomime representation of rebellious youth culture, as its many critics claim? It has certainly tripped up several presenters and created some infamous scenes. | |
| In 1989, Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac and former model Samantha Fox were caught out by a stuttering autocue. In 1996, Pulp's Jarvis Cocker staged a lewd intervention during Michael Jackson's performance of Earth Song. In 1998 the jolly anarchist group Chumbawamba went down in the annals of silly antics when one of them poured iced water over the deputy prime minister, John Prescott. | In 1989, Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac and former model Samantha Fox were caught out by a stuttering autocue. In 1996, Pulp's Jarvis Cocker staged a lewd intervention during Michael Jackson's performance of Earth Song. In 1998 the jolly anarchist group Chumbawamba went down in the annals of silly antics when one of them poured iced water over the deputy prime minister, John Prescott. |
| Corden has had his own controversial moments. He has had to deal with an audience member walking between him and the camera, and was kissed on the lips by Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw. | Corden has had his own controversial moments. He has had to deal with an audience member walking between him and the camera, and was kissed on the lips by Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw. |
| Most notorious was an unfortunate incident in 2012 when Corden had to interrupt Adele, winner of the best album prize that year, midway through her acceptance speech so that Blur could perform. The next year Corden referred to the incident in his patter: "There's a global superstar who was once interrupted at an awards ceremony. Well, let me tell you, that never happens here. Not on my watch … any more." | |
| On Saturday night Ross asked Corden whether he still winced at the thought of his treatment of Adele. "She was incredibly sweet and understanding," said Corden. "It's a hard call to make, is the truth. It was just a shame that something like that should happen. For me, it was just horrible." | On Saturday night Ross asked Corden whether he still winced at the thought of his treatment of Adele. "She was incredibly sweet and understanding," said Corden. "It's a hard call to make, is the truth. It was just a shame that something like that should happen. For me, it was just horrible." |
| Yet Corden's view of the event as a potential minefield for even the most experienced presenter is at odds with widespread attitudes to the awards. In recent years the dominance of established boy bands, female soloists and veteran stars in the nominations has led indie music fans to accuse the Brits of losing contact with its roots. Two years ago Blur and Noel Gallagher of Oasis both took to the stage at the awards and music commentators saw their performances as a reminder of the glory days of 1990s Britpop – in contrast to the more recent dearth of prize-winning guitar bands. Q magazine was moved to ask if there had "ever been a worse musical climate to be a guitar band in Britain". | Yet Corden's view of the event as a potential minefield for even the most experienced presenter is at odds with widespread attitudes to the awards. In recent years the dominance of established boy bands, female soloists and veteran stars in the nominations has led indie music fans to accuse the Brits of losing contact with its roots. Two years ago Blur and Noel Gallagher of Oasis both took to the stage at the awards and music commentators saw their performances as a reminder of the glory days of 1990s Britpop – in contrast to the more recent dearth of prize-winning guitar bands. Q magazine was moved to ask if there had "ever been a worse musical climate to be a guitar band in Britain". |
| Whether or not the Brits manages to regain its credibility and edge, there is evidence in the 2014 nominations that the youth may be stirring at last. Not only do British Phonographic Industry figures out this month suggest that rock albums are back – with Bastille, Arctic Monkeys and Jake Bugg all big last year – but younger artists now dominate the nominations. | Whether or not the Brits manages to regain its credibility and edge, there is evidence in the 2014 nominations that the youth may be stirring at last. Not only do British Phonographic Industry figures out this month suggest that rock albums are back – with Bastille, Arctic Monkeys and Jake Bugg all big last year – but younger artists now dominate the nominations. |
| The shift may be hard to spot, however, because of the presence of David Bowie, who is nominated in two categories, 30 years since his first win and 10 since his last nomination. The 67-year-old is favourite to win the best British male award, despite challenges from Mercury award-winner James Blake, John Newman, and singer-songwriters Bugg and Tom Odell. | The shift may be hard to spot, however, because of the presence of David Bowie, who is nominated in two categories, 30 years since his first win and 10 since his last nomination. The 67-year-old is favourite to win the best British male award, despite challenges from Mercury award-winner James Blake, John Newman, and singer-songwriters Bugg and Tom Odell. |
| Since recent hits from former Take That colleagues Robbie Williams and Gary Barlow came too late for the Brits, the only other representatives of the "dinosaur club" are Arctic Monkeys, and they have only been around since 2006. | Since recent hits from former Take That colleagues Robbie Williams and Gary Barlow came too late for the Brits, the only other representatives of the "dinosaur club" are Arctic Monkeys, and they have only been around since 2006. |
| Bastille have received four nominations, though admittedly they are far from being a guitar band. Fast-rising electronic duo Disclosure also have four. Soul ensemble Rudimental have three, as does Ellie Goulding, aged 27. Katy Perry, 29, is up for best international female and will be performing on the night. | Bastille have received four nominations, though admittedly they are far from being a guitar band. Fast-rising electronic duo Disclosure also have four. Soul ensemble Rudimental have three, as does Ellie Goulding, aged 27. Katy Perry, 29, is up for best international female and will be performing on the night. |
| The youth quotient gets a boost from perhaps the surest bet of the night: One Direction. Thanks to their high sales, the boy band are a shoo-in for the global success award and may win the audience vote awards for best single and best British video. Striking one for the veterans, the event is also due to be the venue of one of Prince's special London performances. The 55-year-old singer announced his extra London dates at a "secret" acoustic gig in London on Friday night. | |
| Although sales of rock, rather than pop, music benefit from a "long tail" effect, with 40% of the most successful 10,000 albums falling into this category, the biggest albums of any given year are often by pop artists. (The five biggest sellers of 2013 were Emeli Sandé, One Direction and three Now compilations.) | Although sales of rock, rather than pop, music benefit from a "long tail" effect, with 40% of the most successful 10,000 albums falling into this category, the biggest albums of any given year are often by pop artists. (The five biggest sellers of 2013 were Emeli Sandé, One Direction and three Now compilations.) |
| The cultural dominance of pop in recent years is put down to the attention it gets from talent shows such as The X Factor and The Voice or in polls such as the BBC's Sound of 2014, but when it comes to downloads, it is pure dance that tends to lead the pack, according to the top 10 lists reported last year by streaming service Spotify and music app Shazam. | The cultural dominance of pop in recent years is put down to the attention it gets from talent shows such as The X Factor and The Voice or in polls such as the BBC's Sound of 2014, but when it comes to downloads, it is pure dance that tends to lead the pack, according to the top 10 lists reported last year by streaming service Spotify and music app Shazam. |
| As with all trends, pop music fashions swing around every few years. But with an audience of fresh-faced youngsters in front of him, it is hard to see why Corden expects to feel so frightened. | As with all trends, pop music fashions swing around every few years. But with an audience of fresh-faced youngsters in front of him, it is hard to see why Corden expects to feel so frightened. |
| Perhaps, as he suggested to Ross, his decision to step down from the show after this year is a response to this new, youthful landscape. "I feel like, as a show, it should always be young and fresh," he said. "As an event, it doesn't benefit from someone doing it the same every year. There's lots of award shows that do, but this isn't one." | Perhaps, as he suggested to Ross, his decision to step down from the show after this year is a response to this new, youthful landscape. "I feel like, as a show, it should always be young and fresh," he said. "As an event, it doesn't benefit from someone doing it the same every year. There's lots of award shows that do, but this isn't one." |