Ed Sheeran and Pharrell Williams Big Winners at BBC Music Awards; One Direction, Coldplay and More Perform

Someone in the United States needs to talk to the BBC Music Awards on how to set up a music trophy show. The event, held Thursday night, featured the handing out of only four prizes, simplifying reporting and allowing viewers to avoid prizes that they don't have much interest in. Among the few winners, Ed Sheeran and Pharrell Williams received the most acclaim.

Sheeran took home the British Artist of The Year Award thanks to his new release X, which his also the UK's highest-selling album of 2014.

"I always thought my career would stop at one album, so knowing that my career will be longer than [that] is the highlight for me," he said in an interview, according to The Hollywood Reporter. "I really love my job. I don't want it to end, and even if people stop listening to the music, I'm still going to make it."

Nonetheless he was trumped on two fronts by Williams. First, the R&B crooner/producer won International Artist of The Year that, at least geographically, seems like a bigger deal than British Artist of The Year. He also won Song of The Year for "Happy," edging out Sheeran's "Smile" (which Williams also produced. He's inescapable). The performer was unable to attend due to filming commitments for The Voice but he accepted the awards via satellite link.

The last award, the BBC Introducing Act of The Year (awarded to the best new act), went to rock band Catfish and The Bottlemen.

The rest of the time, freed up by lack of actual awards, was filled with performances of course. Coldplay opened the night with "A Sky Full of Stars," Clean Bandit was joined by the BBC Concert Orchestra for "Rather Be" and One Direction brought down the house with "Steal My Girl."

Check out NME's photos from the event here.

Tags

Pharrell Williams, Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, One Direction, Clean Bandit