Bombay Bicycle Club Bag King Gong at Artrocker Awards

What a royal love-in the Artrocker Awards were.

So often long, drawn-out, back-slapping affairs, these were a breath of fresh air – and no-one had a bad word to say about each other.

Held in the darkened depths of XOYO just off Silicon Roundabout (aka Old Street), they were organised, but not over stage-managed, laid-back but not falling over and concise but not perfunctory, showcasing the best in old and new pop, indie and rock.

Bombay Bicycle Club walked off with the big gong – the band of the year.

Tribes bagged single of the year, quite rightly, for ‘We Were Children’.

For those on the lookout for the next big thing, long-haired Irish rock boys Mojo Fury graciously accepted the new blood award.

Meanwhile Radio 1 presenter Jen Long did a grand job of entertaining the muso crowd during the afternoon affair, which was was oiled with free booze and star turns.

The biggest cheer was reserved for pop royalty in the form of a revitalised Gary Numan who won the legend award – and for The Charlatans’ Tim Burgess who humbly accepted his icon award.

Those leather-clad rock’n’rollers The Jim Jones Revue were judged to be the best live band. And Plan B came to the stage, looking like a dapper Cockney gangster in his beige crombie, to give a heartfelt speech as to why Gavin Watson deserved the photographer of the year award.

With the Sailor Jerry and ginger ale slipping down a treat, the single concession to glamour came when Battles accepted their award for international band of the year…via video.

For his Hotel Shampoo, Super Furry Animal Gruff Rhys scored the award for another biggie, best album – delivering an unintentionally funny, halting acceptance speech, which the crowd loved.

Despite the free booze and the opportunities for mayhem that can give rise to, nothing untoward took place. Everyone was just too busy…well, getting along.

This is how all award shows should be.

Best of the rest…

Reissue of the year – The Jesus and Mary Chain, ‘Psychocandy’
Best artwork­ – Boxes
Heavy band of the year – The Computers
Best video – Is Tropical, ‘The Greeks’
Best electro act – John Foxx and the Maths
Best festival – 1,2,3,4 Shoreditch Festival

By Gareth Thomas