| Q Awards | |
| Awarded For: | Excellence in music |
| Presenter: | Q |
| Country: | United Kingdom |
| Year: | 1990 |
| Year2: | 2019 |
| Website: | Qthemusic.com |
The Q Awards were the UK's annual music awards run by the music magazine Q. Since they began in 1990, the Q Awards became one of Britain's biggest and best publicised music awards. Locations for the awards ceremony included Abbey Road Studios and near the end of its life, The Park Lane Ballroom.
One of the more notable events of the awards was the ceremony of 2004, at which Elton John accused Madonna of cheating fans by miming on stage, after she had been nominated for a Best Live Act award.[1] The 2001 event, was somewhat notoriously notable for Phill Jupitus stretching out the time it took to announce the "Best Producer" award, with him exclaiming "Best Producer?.... 'Would you like a cowbell in that?'", before being told off camera to get on with announcing the winner.
The Q Awards included many awards recognising a lifetime of achievement, rather than achievements over the year in question. In its last few years, the 'lifetime' awards have usually outnumbered the 'current' awards.
The awards came to an end when the magazine itself ceased publishing in 2020, blaming the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 awards ceremony would have been held at the Roundhouse and seen a performance by Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott.[2] When it was announced that the magazine was closing, Heaton was revealed to have donated a substantial amount of money to the magazine's former staff members.[2] As thanks, and for his contributions to music as a songwriter, Heaton was presented with a final Q Award.[2]
The winners of 2019 Q Awards are:[3] [4]
| Award | Winner | Nominee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Act in the World Today | The 1975 | ||
| Best Breakthrough Act | Pale Waves | ||
| Best Live Performance | Michael Kiwanuka – End of the Road Festival | ||
| Best Solo Act | Stormzy | ||
| Best Track | Lewis Capaldi — "Someone You Loved" | ||
| Best Festival/Event | All Points East | ||
| Best Album | Foals — Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost – Part 1 |
The winners of 2018 Q Awards are:[5]
| Award | Winner | Nominee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Act in the World Today | Paul Weller | ||
| Best Breakthrough Act | Goat Girl & Idles | ||
| Best Live Act | Taylor Swift | ||
| Best Solo Artist | Noel Gallagher | ||
| Best Track | Underworld and Iggy Pop — "Bells & Circles" | ||
| Best Album | Let's Eat Grandma — I'm All Ears |
The winners of 2017 Q Awards are:[6] [7]
| Award | Winner | Nominee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Act in the World Today | Ed Sheeran | ||
| Best Breakthrough Act | Rag'n'Bone Man | ||
| Best Live Act | Liam Gallagher | ||
| Best Solo Artist | Stormzy | ||
| Best Track | Kasabian — "You're in Love with a Psycho" | ||
| Best Video | Sleaford Mods — "Bunch of Kunst" | ||
| Best Album | Gorillaz — Humanz |
The winners of 2016 Q Awards are:[8]
| Award | Winner | Nominee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Act in the World Today | Muse | ||
| Best Live Act | U2 | ||
| Best Breakthrough Act | Jack Garratt | ||
| Best Solo Artist | James Bay | ||
| Best Track | Bastille — "Good Grief" | ||
| Best Video | PJ Harvey — "The Community of Hope" | ||
| Best Album | The 1975 — I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It |
The winners of 2015 Q Awards are:[9]
| Award | Winner | Nominee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Act in the World Today | Foals | ||
| Best Live Act | Royal Blood | ||
| Best New Act | James Bay | ||
| Best Solo Artist | Ed Sheeran | ||
| Best Track | The Libertines — "Gunga Din" | ||
| Best Video | Florence and the Machine — "Ship to Wreck" | ||
| Best Album | Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds — Chasing Yesterday |
The winners of 2014 Q Awards are:[10]
| Award | Winner | Nominee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Act in the World Today | Kasabian | ||
| Best Live Act | Kasabian | ||
| Best New Act | Sam Smith | ||
| Best Solo Artist | Ed Sheeran | ||
| Best Track | Paolo Nutini — "Iron Sky" | ||
| Best Video | Jamie xx — "Sleep Sound" | ||
| Best Album | Elbow — The Take Off and Landing of Everything |
The winners of 2013 Q Awards are:[11]
| Award | Winner | Nominee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Act in the World Today | Vampire Weekend | ||
| Best Live Act | Foals | ||
| Best New Act | Jake Bugg | ||
| Best Solo Artist | Ellie Goulding | ||
| Best Track | Arctic Monkeys — "Do I Wanna Know?" | ||
| Best Video | Manic Street Preachers — "Show Me the Wonder" | ||
| Best Album | Biffy Clyro — Opposites |
The winners of 2012 Q Awards are:[12]
| Award | Winner | Nominee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Act in the World Today | Muse | ||
| Best Live Act | Blur | ||
| Best New Act | Django Django | ||
| Best Solo Artist | Emeli Sandé | ||
| Best Track | Plan B — "Ill Manors" | ||
| Best Video | Keane — "Disconnected" | ||
| Best Album | Bobby Womack — The Bravest Man in the Universe |
The winners of 2011 Q Awards are:[13]
| Award | Winner | Nominee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Act in the World Today | Coldplay | ||
| Best Live Act | Biffy Clyro | ||
| Best New Act | WU LYF | ||
| Best Breakthrough Artist | Ed Sheeran | ||
| Best Male Artist | Tinie Tempah | ||
| Best Female Artist | Adele | ||
| Best Track | Adele — "Rolling in the Deep" | ||
| Best Video | Jessie J — "Do It like a Dude" | ||
| Best Album | Bon Iver — Bon Iver, Bon Iver |
The winners of 2010 Q Awards are:
| Award | Winner | Nominee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Act in the World Today | Kasabian | ||
| Best Live Act | Green Day | ||
| Best New Act | Mumford & Sons | ||
| Best Breakthrough Artist | Plan B | ||
| Best Male Artist | Paolo Nutini | ||
| Best Female Artist | Florence and the Machine | ||
| Best Track | Florence and the Machine — "You've Got The Love" | ||
| Best Video | Chase & Status — "End Credits" | ||
| Best Album | The National — High Violet |
The winners of 2009 Q Awards are:[14] [15]
| Award | Winner | Nominee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Act in the World Today | Muse | ||
| Best Live Act | Arctic Monkeys | ||
| Best New Act | White Lies | ||
| Best Breakthrough Artist | Mr Hudson | ||
| Best Track | Lily Allen — "The Fear" | ||
| Best Video | Lady Gaga — "Just Dance" | ||
| Best Album | Kasabian — West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum |
The winners of 2008 Q Awards are:
| Award | Winner | Nominee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Act in the World Today | Coldplay | ||
| Best Live Act | Kaiser Chiefs | ||
| Best New Act | The Last Shadow Puppets | ||
| Best Breakthrough Artist | Duffy | ||
| Best Track | Keane — "Spiralling" | ||
| Best Video | Vampire Weekend — "A-Punk" | ||
| Best Album | Coldplay — "Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends" |
The winners of 2007 Q Awards are:
| Award | Winner | Nominee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Act in the World Today | Arctic Monkeys | ||
| Best Live Act | Muse | ||
| Best New Act | The Enemy | ||
| Best Breakthrough Artist | Kate Nash | ||
| Best Track | Manic Street Preachers — "Your Love Alone Is Not Enough" | ||
| Best Video | Kaiser Chiefs — "Ruby" | ||
| Best Album | Amy Winehouse — Back to Black |
The winners of 2006 Q Awards are:
| Award | Winner | Nominee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Act in the World Today | Oasis | ||
| Best Live Act | Muse | ||
| Best New Act | Corinne Bailey Rae | ||
| Best Track | Gnarls Barkley — "Crazy" | ||
| Best Video | The Killers — "When You Were Young" | ||
| Best Album | Arctic Monkeys — Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not |
The winners of 2005 Q Awards are:
| Award | Winner | Nominee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Act in the World Today | Coldplay | ||
| Best Live Act | U2 | ||
| Best New Act | James Blunt | ||
| Best Track | KT Tunstall — "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" | ||
| Best Video | Gorillaz — "Feel Good Inc." | ||
| Best Album | Oasis — Don't Believe the Truth |
The winners of 2004 Q Awards are:
| Award | Winner | Nominee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Act in the World Today | Red Hot Chili Peppers | ||
| Best Live Act | Muse | ||
| Best New Act | Razorlight | ||
| Best Track | Jamelia — "See It in a Boy's Eyes" | ||
| Best Video | Franz Ferdinand — "Take Me Out" | ||
| Best Album | Keane — Hopes and Fears |
The winners of 2003 Q Awards are:
| Award | Winner | Nominee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Act in the World Today | Radiohead | ||
| Best Live Act | Robbie Williams | ||
| Best New Act | The Thrills | ||
| Best Track | Christina Aguilera — "Dirrty" | ||
| Best Video | Electric Six — "Gay Bar" | ||
| Best Album | Blur — Think Tank |
The winners of 2002 Q Awards are:
| Award | Winner | Nominee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Act in the World Today | Radiohead | ||
| Best Live Act | The Hives | ||
| Best New Act | The Electric Soft Parade | ||
| Best Single | Sugababes — "Freak like Me" | ||
| Best Video | Pink — "Get the Party Started" | ||
| Best Album | Coldplay — A Rush of Blood to the Head |
The winners of 2001 Q Awards are:
| Award | Winner | Nominee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Act in the World Today | Radiohead | ||
| Best Live Act | Manic Street Preachers | ||
| Best New Act | Starsailor | ||
| Best Single | Ash — "Burn Baby Burn" | ||
| Best Video | Gorillaz — "Clint Eastwood" | ||
| Best Album | Travis — The Invisible Band |
The winners of 2000 Q Awards are:
| Award | Winner | Nominee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Act in the World Today | Travis | ||
| Best Live Act | Oasis | ||
| Best New Act | Badly Drawn Boy | ||
| Best Single | David Gray — "Babylon" | ||
| Best Video | Kelis — "Caught Out There" | ||
| Best Album | Coldplay — Parachutes |
The winners of 1999 Q Awards are:
| Award | Winner | Nominee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Act in the World Today | Blur | ||
| Best Live Act | Stereophonics | ||
| Best New Act | Basement Jaxx | ||
| Best Single | Travis — "Why Does It Always Rain on Me?" | ||
| Best Album | The Chemical Brothers — Surrender |
The winners of 1998 Q Awards are:
| Award | Winner | Nominee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Act in the World Today | Manic Street Preachers | ||
| Best Live Act | Roni Size & Reprazent | ||
| Best New Act | Gomez | ||
| Best Single | Catatonia — "Road Rage" | ||
| Best Album | Massive Attack — "Mezzanine" |
The winners of 1997 Q Awards are:
| Award | Winner | Nominee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Act in the World Today | Oasis | ||
| Best Live Act | The Prodigy | ||
| Best New Act | Fun Lovin' Criminals | ||
| Best Album | Radiohead — OK Computer |
The winners of 1996 Q Awards are:
| Award | Winner | Nominee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Act in the World Today | Oasis | ||
| Best Live Act | Pulp | ||
| Best New Act | Alanis Morissette | ||
| Best Album | Manic Street Preachers — Everything Must Go |
The winners of 1995 Q Awards are:
| Award | Winner | Nominee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Act in the World Today | R.E.M. | ||
| Best Live Act | Oasis | ||
| Best New Act | Supergrass | ||
| Best Album | Blur — The Great Escape |
The winners of 1994 Q Awards are:
| Award | Winner | Nominee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Act in the World Today | R.E.M. | ||
| Best Live Act | Pink Floyd | ||
| Best New Act | Oasis | ||
| Best Album | Blur — Parklife |
The winners of 1993 Q Awards are:
| Award | Winner | Nominee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Act in the World Today | U2 | ||
| Best Live Act | Neil Young | ||
| Best New Act | Suede | ||
| Best Album | Sting — Ten Summoner's Tales |
The winners of 1992 Q Awards are:
| Award | Winner | Nominee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Act in the World Today | U2 | ||
| Best Live Act | Crowded House | ||
| Best New Act | Tori Amos | ||
| Best Album | R.E.M. — Automatic for the People |
The winners of 1991 Q Awards are:
| Award | Winner | Nominee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Act in the World Today | R.E.M. / U2 | ||
| Best Live Act | Simple Minds | ||
| Best New Act | Seal | ||
| Best Album | R.E.M. — Out of Time |
The winners of 1990 Q Awards are:
| Award | Winner | Nominee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Act in the World Today | U2 | ||
| Best Live Act | The Rolling Stones | ||
| Best New Act | They Might Be Giants | ||
| Best Album | World Party — Goodbye Jumbo |
At the 2006 Q Awards, Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner criticised the choice of Take That for the "Idol" award. Commenting on the winners of the night, he said: