Is it still big news?… [pullquote]Are musicians just not to be trusted?![/pullquote]And the winner is… Adele! But we don’t have time for that, Blur still need to do their 11 minute set, oh wait there isn’t time for all of that either – at least not on live TV. The Brit Awards 2012, big news in the music industry’s calendar, big news anywhere else – erm… An event when back –in-the-day, the buzz surrounding the awards would have taken priority over the preference of a sweet or savoury pancake; the infamous Blur/Oasis feud and Chris ‘finger in every TV show pie’ Evans hosting with an honest tongue. The awards fuelled so much talk and speculation you would make a concerted effort to be home to join in the fun and have something to talk about at school or college the next day. Now however, The Brits seem to have lost their oomph; there isn’t the hype around the nominees or the performers and I can’t help but wonder if it’s because the element of potential controversy is lacking, or because the format of the Brits is old hat and most obviously underwhelming. Adele’s speech being cut-off as time ran out has been the biggest talking point (for one day after) and Twitter and Facebook were alight with rants about One Direction winning best single. This seems a sad state of affairs for what is deemed ‘the biggest night in the British music calendar.’ What made the Brits great were the disorganised presenters – think Sam Fox and Mick Fleetwood in ’89 – the unpredictable musicians – Jarvis Cocker’s bum wiggling during MJ’s performance – and a range of very good performances and meaningful collaborations. Are the Brits now merely just a ‘well oiled’ twinkly event that only recognises those who’ve sold the most? Is there too much fear that the chaos of the old days (although entertaining) could return? Are musicians just not to be trusted?! And what about the winners, well deserved? I’ll leave that with you; I didn’t vote so how could I possibly dispute… Fran