Gotye's international hit Somebody That I Used To Know received the record of the year, one of three prizes received by the Belgian-Australian artist. Mumford and Sons took home the album of the year prize for Babel. The English folk rockers received their honour from fellow-countrywoman Adele, who had earlier won best pop solo performance for her live version of Set Fire to the Rain.
Adele, who won six awards last year, said: "I just wanted to be part of the night, because I loved it last year, obviously. Thank you, I just wanted to say a massive thank you and send big love to all the other girls, and all us females doing this because we work so hard and we make it look so easy." Mumford and Sons had received six nominations ahead of the ceremony. In the event, though, their only other prize came for best long form music video.
Newcastle News - The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) is to take a season of plays to Newcastle, two years after its annual visits were scrapped due to funding cuts. The company had sent a season to the city every year from 1977 to 2010. It is returning for a three-week residency at the Newcastle Theatre Royal in October and November. It will take Hamlet, All's Well That Ends Well and As You Like It, the score for which is being composed by folk singer Laura Marling. "Our special relationship with the north east of England is a source of great pride to the company," said the RSC's artistic director Gregory Doran.
Marr Honoured - Former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr will be awarded with the Godlike Genius accolade at this year's NME Awards. The event takes place on 27 February at The Troxy in east London. After recording with Modest Mouse and The Cribs, Marr releases his debut solo record, The Messenger, two days before the music magazine's annual ceremony. Marr said he is "honoured" to be the next recipient of a gong that The Clash, Paul Weller and Noel Gallagher have won in recent years.
Morrissey Cancels - Singer Morrissey has been forced to cancel more shows in the US to have further treatment for a bleeding ulcer. The 53-year-old had been expected to perform on Wednesday but ongoing medical problems mean he is unable to return until later in the month. The former Smiths frontman postponed six US concerts after checking into hospital in Detroit at the end of January. Morrissey is expected to resume performing on 21 February in Denver, Colorado.
(Jim Evans)
