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Brit Awards 1997
Brit Awards 1997
Brit Awards 1997
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Brit Awards 1997
Date24 February 1997
VenueEarls Court
Hosted byBen Elton
Most awardsManic Street Preachers and Spice Girls (2)
Most nominationsSpice Girls (5)
Television/radio coverage
NetworkITV
← 1996 · Brit Awards · 1998 →

Brit Awards 1997 was the 17th edition of the Brit Awards, an annual pop music awards ceremony in the United Kingdom. It was organised by the British Phonographic Industry and took place on 24 February 1997 at Earls Court Exhibition Centre in London.

Performances

[edit]
Artist(s) Song(s)
Bee Gees "To Love Somebody"
"Massachusetts"
"Words"
"How Deep Is Your Love"
"Jive Talkin'"
"Stayin' Alive"
"You Should Be Dancing"
Diana Ross featuring Jamiroquai "Upside Down"
The Fugees "Killing Me Softly with His Song"
Manic Street Preachers "A Design for Life"
Mark Morrison "Return of the Mack"
Prince "Emancipation"
Sheryl Crow "Everyday Is a Winding Road"
Skunk Anansie "Teenage Kicks"
Spice Girls "Wannabe"
"Who Do You Think You Are"

Winners and nominees

[edit]
British Album of the Year
(presented by Zoë Ball) 		British Producer of the Year
(presented by Sharleen Spiteri)
British Single of the Year
(presented by Caroline Aherne) 		British Video of the Year
(presented by Frank Skinner)
British Male Solo Artist
(presented by Elton John) 		British Female Solo Artist
(presented by Naomi Campbell)
British Group
(presented by Colin Jackson and Vinnie Jones) 		British Breakthrough Act
(presented by Jo Whiley)
British Dance Act
(presented by Samantha Fox) 		Soundtrack/Cast Recording
(presented by Lenny Henry)
International Male Solo Artist
(presented by Snoop Dogg) 		International Female Solo Artist
(presented by Eddie Izzard)
International Group
(presented by Lennox Lewis) 		International Breakthrough Act
(presented by Gary Barlow and Louise Redknapp)

Outstanding Contribution to Music

[edit]

Multiple nominations and awards

[edit]

The following artists received multiple awards and/or nominations.

Two-time winner Spice Girls as most nominations and awards
Artists that received multiple nominations
Nominations Artist
5 Spice Girls
4
(5) 		George Michael
Kula Shaker
Manic Street Preachers
Mark Morrison
The Prodigy
3 Lighthouse Family
2
(9) 		Babybird
The Chemical Brothers
Jamiroquai
Joan Osborne
Ocean Colour Scene
The Presidents of the United States of America
Robert Miles
Tricky
Underworld
Artists that received multiple awards
Awards Artist
2
(2) 		Manic Street Preachers
Spice Girls

Notable moments

[edit]

Geri Halliwell's Union Jack dress and wardrobe malfunction

[edit]

Ginger Spice, Geri Halliwell, wore the Union Jack dress whilst performing onstage with the group.[1] Spicemania was at its height in the UK and the Spice Girls had just cracked the US as well, reaching number 1 with their debut single and album. Geri Halliwell captured the zeitgeist and became pin-up girl for Cool Britannia.

Halliwell was originally going to wear an all-black dress, but she thought it was too boring so her sister sewed on a Union Jack tea-towel, with a 'peace' sign on the back, so as to not offend anyone. It was worn during the Spice Girls' performance of their number one song "Who Do You Think You Are". Later on she sold her dress in a charity auction to Hard Rock Cafe in Las Vegas for a record £41,320, giving Halliwell the Guinness World Record for the most expensive piece of pop star clothing ever sold.[2] The performance won Most Memorable Performance Of 30 Years at the 2010 Brit Awards.

As well her famous Union Jack dress; Geri Halliwell wore a lengthy cut top red dress during the show. When walking up to the stage to collect their award; Geri Halliwell's right breast slipped out from her dress in front of cameras and host Ben Elton.[citation needed]

Melanie C and Liam Gallagher

[edit]

Before the ceremony, Oasis member Liam Gallagher told British media that he wasn't going to the Brit Awards because if he bumped into the Spice Girls, he would "smack them". During the group's acceptance speech for Best British Single, Sporty Spice Mel C responded to Gallagher, saying, "Come and have a go if you think you're hard enough".

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Brit Awards 1997

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Brit Awards 1997 was the annual ceremony organised by the to recognise outstanding achievements in the British and international recorded music of 1996, held on 24 February 1997 at in and hosted by comedian . The event featured performances by major artists including the , who delivered a medley of "Wannabe" and "Who Do You Think You Are?", the with a career-spanning medley, performing "", and a duet between and . Among the highlights, the dominated the British categories by winning Best British Single and Best British Video for "", while Geri Halliwell's appearance in a custom-made mini-dress during their performance became an iconic symbol of Cool Britannia-era pop culture. The received the Outstanding Contribution to Music award, honouring their decades-long influence on pop and . Other key winners included for Best British Album (Everything Must Go) and Best British Group, as Best International Female, and the for Best International Group, reflecting the year's blend of British rock resurgence, American pop-rock, and hip-hop influences. The ceremony also featured political undertones, such as ' advocating for comprehensive education during their acceptance, and a presentation by Trainspotting author in support of dockers, adding a layer of to the festivities. Broadcast live on ITV, the event was noted for its smooth execution and entertaining moments, including host 's banter and a humorous cocaine gag by Mrs. Merton, though it lacked the major controversies of prior years.

Background

Overview

The 1997 Brit Awards marked the 17th annual ceremony organized by the (BPI) through its subsidiary BRIT Awards Ltd, aimed at recognizing excellence and achievements in the British and international recorded across various genres. The event served as a prominent platform to honor contributions to , and emerging styles, fostering a sense of industry camaraderie and public celebration. In 1997, the ceremony captured the zeitgeist of British music's resurgence, particularly the peak of Britpop—a movement led by bands emphasizing and guitar-driven sounds—alongside the explosive rise of girl groups like the , who embodied a bold, empowering pop aesthetic amid the "" cultural wave. This context positioned the as a of the UK's musical dominance on the global stage, blending homegrown talent with international influences to reflect broader shifts in and media. The overall atmosphere highlighted British artistry's flair while incorporating global elements, underscoring the night's emphasis on innovative and commercially successful acts.

Award Categories

The 1997 Brit Awards featured a range of categories recognizing achievements in British and international , encompassing solo artists, groups, albums, singles, videos, and specialized honors. These categories were determined through a voting process conducted by members of the (BPI) and selected music industry professionals, who evaluated entries based on releases from the previous year. No significant changes or introductions to the category structure occurred in 1997 compared to previous years, maintaining the established format focused on commercial success and artistic impact as defined by the BPI. Eligibility for British categories required artists, albums, singles, or videos to originate from the , with nominees selected from chart performance data compiled by the and submitted to voters. International categories extended recognition to non-UK artists and works, similarly based on global impact during the eligibility window, while the category honored cast recordings or film scores. The Outstanding Contribution to Music served as a lifetime achievement award, selected by a special committee within the BPI to honor enduring influence on British music. The full list of categories presented at the 1997 ceremony is as follows:
CategoryDescription
Best British Male Solo Recognized the top male solo from the based on solo releases.
Best British Female Solo Honored the leading female solo from the .
Best British GroupAwarded to the outstanding -based group.
Best British NewcomerCelebrated emerging British talent making a breakthrough.
Best British AlbumFor the best studio album by a British or group.
Best British SingleFor the top single released by a British act.
Best British VideoRecognized innovative or impactful music videos by British .
Best British Dance ActHonored excellence in from the .
Best British ProducerAwarded to a producer for outstanding production work.
Best International Male Solo For the top male solo from outside the .
Best International Female Solo Honored the leading female solo from outside the .
Best International GroupFor the best group from outside the .
Best International NewcomerCelebrated emerging international talent.
Best /Cast RecordingFor outstanding film or stage .
Outstanding Contribution to A special lifetime achievement award.

Ceremony Details

Date and Venue

The 1997 Brit Awards ceremony was held on 24 February 1997. The event took place at the Earls Court Exhibition Centre in , a prominent venue for large-scale . This exhibition centre, with a capacity of approximately 19,000 for concerts including standing areas, provided ample space for the awards show, audience seating, and stage setups, making it ideal for high-profile events. Leading up to the ceremony, preparations featured red carpet arrivals outside the venue, where artists and guests posed for photographs and conducted interviews, heightening excitement through widespread media coverage in newspapers and television broadcasts.

Host and Presenters

The 1997 Brit Awards were hosted by British comedian Ben Elton. Elton, celebrated for his sharp stand-up routines and contributions to acclaimed comedy series such as The Young Ones and Blackadder, infused the ceremony with his characteristic wit through opening monologues and on-stage banter that poked fun at celebrity culture and the music scene. Several prominent figures served as presenters, enhancing the event's star-studded atmosphere. Songwriter presented the Outstanding Contribution to Music award to the , highlighting their enduring legacy in . handed out the British Video of the Year award to the for "," delivering it with his trademark observational humor. , performing in her iconic Mrs. Merton persona, presented the British Single of the Year award, also won by the for "," adding a layer of satirical to the proceedings. Elton's hosting style, marked by quick-witted interactions with these presenters, helped maintain an energetic pace throughout the evening.

Performances

List of Performers

The 1997 Brit Awards showcased a diverse lineup of live performances from leading artists of the era, highlighting both established icons and rising stars. The performers delivered a mix of their hit singles and medleys, contributing to the ceremony's energetic atmosphere at in . Several acts, including the who received the Outstanding Contribution to Music award that evening, tied their sets to award moments. The complete roster of performers and the songs they performed is as follows:
PerformerSong(s) Performed
Medley: "To Love Somebody", "", "Words", "How Deep Is Your Love", "Jive Talkin'", "", "" (performed as part of their Outstanding Contribution award presentation)
featuring "Upside Down"
The Fugees"Ready or Not"
""
""
Prince"Emancipation" (medley including "We March")
""
"" (cover of )
"" and "Who Do You Think You Are"

Notable Performances

The opened the ceremony with an energetic medley of "" and "Who Do You Think You Are," a high-octane display of synchronized and empowering lyrics that encapsulated their ethos and marked a pivotal moment in pop culture. This lip-synced performance, delivered with infectious enthusiasm, reinforced their status as global icons at the peak of their fame, following the massive success of their debut album . The Bee Gees' set served as an emotional capstone to their Outstanding Contribution to Music award, featuring a medley of signature disco-era hits such as "To Love Somebody," "Massachusetts," "How Deep Is Your Love," "Jive Talkin'," "Stayin' Alive," and "You Should Be Dancing." The brothers' harmonious delivery evoked nostalgia and celebrated their four-decade career, blending ballad introspection with upbeat grooves to underscore their influence on pop and dance music. Prince brought a contrasting edge with his innovative rendition of "Emancipation," incorporating guitar-driven funk and interpolations of "1999" and "We March," performed alongside his band in a lip-synced format that highlighted his experimental style amid the evening's predominantly pop-oriented acts. This international flair, combined with contributions from artists like and , contributed to the ceremony's diverse musical palette, drawing praise from audiences and critics for bridging , R&B, rock, and global influences in a vibrant showcase of 1997's music landscape.

Awards

Winners and Nominees

The 1997 Brit Awards honored outstanding achievements in music released during 1996, with winners determined by votes from over 1,000 members of the (BPI) voting academy, comprising industry professionals such as record labels, publishers, and managers. The following table lists all standard categories, their winners, and the full slate of nominees.
CategoryWinnerNominees
British Album – Everything Must Go – K; – Ocean Drive; – Older; –
British Dance Act; ; ;
British Female Solo ArtistGabrielleDina Carroll; Donna Lewis; Louise; Eddi Reader
British Group; ; ;
British Male Solo ArtistMick Hucknall; ; Sting; Tricky
British NewcomerAlisha’s Attic; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;
British ProducerAbsolute and Richard Stannard; ; Hugh Jones; Tricky
British Single – "" – "You’re Gorgeous"; – ""; – "Lifted"; – ""; – ""; – ""; Oasis – "Don’t Look Back in Anger"; – "Firestarter"; – "Born Slippy"
British Video – "Say You’ll Be There" – "Setting Sun"; – "Good Enough"; – ""; – ""; – ""; Orbital – "The Box"; – "Breathe"; – "Firestarter"; – ""
International Female Solo Artist; ; ;
International Group; The Presidents of the United States of America; R.E.M.; Smashing Pumpkins
International Male Solo ArtistBeckBryan Adams; Babyface; Robert Miles; Prince
International NewcomerRobert MilesFun Lovin’ Criminals; ; The Presidents of the United States of America; The Tony Rich Project
Soundtrack/Cast RecordingTrainspottingEvita (Madonna/Various Artists); La Passione (Chris Rea); Dangerous Minds (Various Artists); Mission: Impossible (Various Artists)

Outstanding Contribution to Music

The Outstanding Contribution to Music award at the 1997 Brit Awards was presented to the , recognizing their decades-long influence on pop and music. This non-competitive lifetime achievement honor, established as one of the ceremony's most prestigious accolades, was first given in 1977 to during the inaugural event commemorating the centenary of recorded sound. The —comprising brothers Barry, Robin, and —were celebrated for their enduring impact, having sold over 200 million records worldwide by that point, with iconic hits such as "" from the 1977 soundtrack defining the era and achieving global chart success. The award was presented by lyricist at the Earls Court Exhibition Centre in on 24 February 1997, highlighting the Gibbs' contributions to British music over four decades, from their early hits to their resurgence in the and . Following the presentation, the performed a medley of their classics, underscoring their live performance legacy.

Nominations and Wins

Multiple Nominations

The received the most nominations at the 1997 Brit Awards, totaling five across key categories that underscored their rapid ascent in the British music scene. These included Best British Group, Best British Single for "," Best British Video for "," Best British Breakthrough Act, and Best British Album for their debut album . This haul positioned them as frontrunners, reflecting the group's explosive popularity following their 1996 debut and the cultural phenomenon of "," which dominated pop trends that year. Other artists also secured multiple nominations, signaling the diversity of British rock and pop influences in 1997. earned three nods: Best British Group, Best British Album for Everything Must Go, and Best British Single for "." Oasis received a nomination for Best British Single for "", highlighting the enduring rivalry and the band's grip on mainstream rock audiences. These multiple entries illustrated 1997's blend of established acts and newcomers, with the ' dominance exemplifying the shift toward youth-oriented pop amid the tail end of Britpop's peak. The nominations' emphasis on breakout successes like the mirrored broader music trends, where accessible, empowering anthems overshadowed more introspective rock narratives, setting the stage for pop's global resurgence. While several multi-nominees converted bids into wins—detailed further in the multiple awards analysis—the sheer volume of nods for these acts amplified the ceremony's role in crowning 1996's cultural touchstones.

Multiple Awards

At the 1997 Brit Awards, only two acts achieved multiple wins: the and the , each securing two awards in competitive categories. The won for British Group and British Album for their 1996 release Everything Must Go, which marked a commercial breakthrough and an unlikely comeback following the disappearance of guitarist the previous year. These victories highlighted the band's evolution from punk provocateurs to mainstream rock staples, boosting their profile and affirming the album's critical and commercial success, which included multiple top-charting singles. The Spice Girls claimed the British Single award for "Wannabe" and the British Video award for "Say You'll Be There," their hits that epitomized their ethos. These wins, coupled with their high-energy performance mashing up "Wannabe" and "Who Do You Think You Are," underscored their dominance in British pop, cementing their status as global icons and propelling their multimedia empire forward in an era of youth-driven cultural shifts. No other artists received more than one competitive award that evening, emphasizing the standout achievements of these two groups amid a diverse field of nominees.

Notable Moments

Geri Halliwell's Union Jack Dress and Wardrobe Malfunction

At the 1997 Brit Awards held on 24 February, , known as Ginger Spice of the , made a bold fashion statement by wearing a custom-made mini-dress during the group's performance of "Who Do You Think You Are." The dress, which she designed herself with assistance from her sister Karen who handled the sewing, was created just two nights before the event using a -patterned tea towel attached to a black base designed by , featuring a low rectangular neckline and a peace symbol on the back to emphasize themes of over mere . This outfit symbolized British pride and the vibrant energy of 1990s pop culture, aligning with the "" movement, and was paired with red boots for added flair. Later in the ceremony, while accepting the Best British Video award for "" on behalf of the , Halliwell experienced a in a separate red, floor-length dress, where the garment slipped, briefly exposing her breast before co-winner quickly covered her. This incident, captured on camera, added to the evening's chaotic energy but was swiftly managed without derailing the group's triumphant moment. The itself became an enduring icon, auctioned in 1998 at in for £41,320 (including buyer's premium) to [Hard Rock Cafe](/page/Hard Rock Cafe) co-founder , with proceeds benefiting Sargent Cancer Care for Children; at the time, it set a record as the most expensive piece of pop star clothing sold at . Culturally, the ensemble encapsulated 1990s pop excess and female empowerment, sparking widespread media coverage, fashion imitations, and debates about celebrity wardrobe risks, while influencing subsequent motifs in British pop aesthetics.

Melanie C and Liam Gallagher Confrontation

During the 1997 Brit Awards held on February 24 at London's Earls Court Exhibition Centre, a heated exchange unfolded between Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher and Spice Girls member Melanie C, highlighting the era's cultural clash between Britpop and pop music. Prior to the ceremony, Gallagher announced he would boycott the event, telling reporters, "If I bump into the Spice Girls, I will smack them," reflecting his band's ongoing public disdain for the group as emblematic of manufactured pop in contrast to Oasis's raw, working-class rock ethos. As the accepted the award for Best British Video for "," , known as Sporty Spice, seized the moment to respond directly to Gallagher's threat, declaring from , "Liam, come and have a go if you think you're hard enough!" The retort, delivered with defiance amid the group's celebration of their multiple wins that night, was broadcast live and immediately became one of the ceremony's most memorable soundbites. The incident stemmed from a broader rivalry between Oasis and the , fueled by the movement's rockist attitudes that dismissed female-led pop acts as inauthentic and commercialized, amplifying gender dynamics in the mid-1990s British music landscape. Although Gallagher did not attend and no physical altercation ensued, the verbal standoff garnered extensive media coverage, underscoring the competitive tensions between established rock bands and emerging girl groups. In later reflections, Melanie C has described the moment as an empowering stand against bullying and dismissive male-dominated attitudes in the industry, noting in a 2020 interview that the '90s Brits were "so much more rock'n'roll" and recounting her first personal encounter with Gallagher as lighthearted, where he playfully raised his fists before they developed a friendly rapport. The two acts eventually reconciled, with members attending Oasis concerts in subsequent years, signaling the end of their long-standing .

References

  1. https://www.brits.co.uk/history/the-brits-1997/
  2. https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/backstage-at-the-brits-and-everyone-s-looking-for-charlie-rock-1270620.html
  3. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/people/story-behind-iconic-union-jack-dress-geri-halliwell-wore-brits/
  4. https://time.com/4382880/spice-girls-20th-anniversary-wannabe/
  5. https://whenthingsgopop.com/2022/05/08/spice-girls-1997-brit-awards/
  6. https://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2012/feb/22/brit-awards-winners-list-2012
  7. https://www.musewiki.org/London_Earls_Court_Exhibition_Centre
  8. https://www.gettyimages.com/photos/brit-awards-1997
  9. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ben-Elton
  10. https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/brit-awards-20-years-ago-geri-halliwell-union-jack-dress_uk_58ad7f2be4b04a0b274e5b1f
  11. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dc6Tg-4rlJE
  12. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uIbj4v9yZo
  13. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8lA_UYS1-s
  14. https://www.uncut.co.uk/news/ten-years-ago-this-week-14-41996/
  15. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIHZdr8hrKo
  16. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6vOPGlsX-8
  17. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ainTdItpH3I
  18. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsnYOxNO4uA
  19. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_plB6u-P3tk
  20. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JW9aA_StoY
  21. https://musicforstowaways.wordpress.com/2014/02/04/the-brit-awards-1997/
  22. https://www.facebook.com/OfficialSkunkAnansie/videos/teenage-kicks-brit-awards-1997/4744789028919631/
  23. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4c11XUeaC8
  24. https://www.attitude.co.uk/uncategorised/its-been-20-years-since-the-spice-girls-iconic-1997-brit-awards-performance-291680/
  25. https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/culture/a26158/the-most-iconic-brits-moments/
  26. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/bee-gees/1997/earls-court-london-england-5bc1ef88.html
  27. https://princevault.com/index.php?title=24_February_1997
  28. https://www.brits.co.uk/voting-academy/
  29. http://www.beegees.co.uk/aboutbeegees.htm
  30. https://chartmasters.org/cspc-bee-gees-popularity-analysis/
  31. https://www.billboard.com/lists/brit-awards-nominations-most-in-a-year-raye-robbie-williams-dua-lipa/
  32. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3077975.stm
  33. https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/wales/entries/1230b6fe-7cc0-3583-98ab-c8dfcdc6b1d9
  34. https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/articles/0cbdea6f-9bda-4f8d-bf31-ede8949d0051
  35. https://www.vogue.com/article/ginger-spice-union-jack-dress-story
  36. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/news/sisters-got-great-union-jack-tea-towels-geri-halliwell-created/
  37. https://www.cnn.com/style/article/geri-halliwell-union-jack-dress
  38. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/172717.stm
  39. https://www.nme.com/features/music-interviews/melanie-c-new-album-eminem-elton-john-trans-girl-power-2762778
  40. https://www.capitalfm.com/events/brits/news/fights/
  41. https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/90s-pop-stars-most-toxic-30592174
  42. https://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/848909/spice-girls-reunion-at-oasis-concert-after-feud/
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