\nBy It’s night where careers are transformed and the next day’s hangovers are made.<\/span><\/p>\n It may be an annual celebration, but the Brit Awards 2011 stood out as one of the most memorable Brits in years. Following years of the British charts being dominated by American acts, it was the homegrown stars stealing the limelight and putting on the most talked about performances this year.<\/span><\/p>\n Aside from the high-octane performances, there were plenty of surprises too – such as folk rock singer Laura Marling beating the likes of Ellie Goulding and Paloma Faith to Best British Female.<\/span><\/p>\n Things are hotting up: A stuntman on fire runs past Plan B as he performs his hit songs She Said and Prayin’ at the Brit Awards<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The 2011 ceremony was held for the first time at the O2 Arena in Greenwich after over a decade at Earls Court, transforming the live experience.<\/span><\/p>\n This year\u2019s awards was the first time artists were invited to vote for their peers, given the event more credibility.<\/span><\/p>\n Representing the biggest group on the voting panel, perhaps this is why lesser-known acts such as Marling and Mumford And Sons landed coveted awards – no doubt paving their way to become household names in the imminent future.<\/span><\/p>\n Bringing back lots of memories for music fans who watched the Brits back in the mid-Nineties, it was only apt that the reunited Take That five-piece open the show with their new single Kidz.<\/span><\/p>\n Accompanied by a troupe of dancers dressed as riot police – which turned out to be a bit of a trend with Plan B also enlisting armoured cops for his performance – the group kicked off the night\u2019s live show with an energetic, tub-thumping routine.<\/span><\/p>\n All change: Rihanna wore a dramatic red gown before changing into a skimpy bodysuit for her performance<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Belting it out: Paloma Faith teamed up with American singer Cee Lo Green for his mega-hit Forget You<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Later going on to pick up Best British Group, Robbie Williams\u2019 record as king of the Brits continued having received more Brit awards than any other artist – 17 in total, including five with Take That.<\/span><\/p>\n But the big winner this year was rapper Tinie Tempah, who capped off a phenomenal year with two awards for Best Single and Best Breakthrough Act, which were both picked for by the public.<\/span><\/p>\n Following his double triumph, the South Londoner performed a medley of his hits, including Pass Out and Written In The Stars.<\/span><\/p>\n As well as being recognised by the music industry and his fans, the Londoner also got the chance to give something back by offering a pair of his beloved RayBan sunglasses to the Mastercard \u2018Something For The Fans\u2019 competition.<\/span><\/p>\n Something For The Fans: Competition winner George Williams accepts his signed drumskin from The Ting Tings Katie White and Jules Martino<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Caroline Fleming from Cambridge won the glasses – which Tinie wore in his no.1 Pass Out video – after composing a poem about why she deserved the shades.<\/span><\/p>\n George Williams from Southampton was another music fan on cloud nine when he won a signed drum skin by his favourite group The Ting Tings.<\/span><\/p>\n He met the Ting Tings – comprising of Katie White and Jules De Martino – at the BBC studios in London two weeks prior to the awards, where he was presented with the signed drums.<\/span><\/p>\n The meeting was a humbling experience for George, who admitted he was totally starstruck: \u2018As soon as I saw them I was speechless. I kept repeating the word \u2018wow\u2019 way too much.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n As an ex-drummer himself, George admitted the prize had made him consider about picking up the drumsticks again.<\/span><\/p>\n Don’t sell them on eBay! Bianca Konig, from Brighton, won a pair of shoes owned by Kasabian frontman Tom Meighan<\/p>\n<\/div>\n He said: \u2018I did give them up, but winning these think I may take it up again.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n But when asked if he would playing the drums given to him by the Tings Tings, he balked: \u2018I\u2019ll definitely preserve them. If I used them, the signature would wear off\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n So after meeting his idols, George – like all the other Mastercard competition winners – enjoyed a VIP experience at the Brit Awards, getting a coveted seat to watch the show and then joining everyone for the after-party.<\/span><\/p>\n Asked about his Brit Awards experience, George said: \u2018It was really good, one of the best experiences I\u2019ve ever had. The live acts were amazing. Plan B especially stood for me with the man on fire and the riot police.<\/span><\/p>\n Not only did the competition winners get a priceless bit of music memorabilia, a meeting with their idols and a night at the Brit Awards, they also got a chance for fame, appearing on the Mastercard sponsorship intros during the advert break during the live two hour show.<\/span><\/p>\n Other winners included Bianca Konig When Miss Konig accepted the shoes, Meighan joked \u2018don\u2019t sell them on eBay\u2019\u2026 which of course the Brighton lass would never do.<\/span><\/p>\n King of the Brits: Rapper Tinie Tempah took home Best British Single and British Breakthrough<\/p>\n<\/div>\n But recent research shows the music memorabilia market has changed dramatically over the years, with autographed CDs in particular not worth much.<\/span><\/p>\n Renowned British music commentator David Hepworth comprised a top 10 list of what made simple memorabilia become a ‘collectible’.<\/span><\/p>\n He revealed autographed vinyl is a sought-after item, while things can soar in value if the actual artist is dead.<\/span><\/p>\n The availability of videos on people’s mobile phones means the autograph is essentially dead, and if you manage to get hold of an item featured in a famous picture or video, the price can soar. Although some of the collectibles have already been won, there\u2019s still a chance for fans to get their hands on a priceless piece of music memorabilia.<\/span><\/p>\n Eliza Doolittle\u2019s belt, Tinie Tempah\u2019s trainers, Lulu\u2019s jacket, Anastacia\u2019s shoes, The Ting Tings\u2019 guitar, Rod Stewart\u2019s jacket and Florence And The Machine\u2019s limited-edition poster print are still up for grabs in the competition.<\/span><\/p>\n \u2022 For a chance to win, fans can check out the collectibles and enter the competition online at the dedicated website<\/span> www.somethingforthefans.co.uk<\/a>. <\/span> <\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nEmily Sheridan<\/a>
Last updated at 2:22 PM on 21st February 2011<\/p>\n
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\nreceiving Kasabian front man Tom Meighan\u2019s signed shoes and Will Farrant
\nwas chuffed with his prize of Eliza Dolittle\u2019s signed Nike trainers
\nfrom the cover of her first album.
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