Radiohead crowned artist of the year at BT digital music awards

LONDON - Radiohead fought off strong competition from Leona Lewis, Coldplay and Kylie to be crowned artist of the year at last night's BT Digital Music Awards 2008.

The band made digital history last year when it allowed fans to choose how much they wanted to pay to download its latest album 'In Rainbows' in a "pay what you like" experiment.

Kylie took home two awards for best pop artist and best innovation for the site Kylie Konnect, which allows fans to create their own profile.

Coldplay picked up the best rock/indie artist award, as well as best official music website for Colplay.com. The band released single 'Violet Hill' on its website as a free download for six hours on the day of launch earlier this year.

Other winners included Hadouken!, who won best electronic artist/DJ, and Wiley, who scooped the best urban artist award after impressing the judges with the digital promotion for his single 'Wearing My Rolex'.

A blog site created by Oasis fan Louise Davies was awarded best music blog. The site features comedy spoof videos of actor Stevie Riks playing the two Gallagher brothers.

There were 20 awards presented on the night, 13 of which were voted for by music fans and seven by a panel of experts.

Matthew Dearden, marketing director BT Consumer, said: "The music industry is continuing to evolve, with artists and record companies seeking new ways to communicate with fans digitally.

"The BT Digital Music Awards recognises the artists and those in the industry, both established and up and coming, who are delivering the best in cutting-edge digital music entertainment."

Sugababes, British Sea Power, Ida Maria, Fightstar, and Beardyman all performed at the awards, which were held at Camden's legendary Roundhouse.  

List of winners:

Best Pop Artist
Winner: Kylie
 
Best Rock/Indie Artist
Winner: Coldplay                                    
 
Best Urban Artist
Winner: Wiley                                        

Best Electronic Artist or DJ
Winner: Hadouken!                                  
 
Best Podcast - Audio Podcast
Winner: Hospital Records Podcast

Best Podcast - Video Podcasts
Winner: The Zutons Podcast

Best Radio Station
Winner: Planet Rock

Best Music Store
Winner: iTunes

Best Music Magazine
Winner: NME.com
 
Best Music Community
Winner: Download Festival Community     
 
Best Artist Promotion
Winner: Dylan Messenger - Bob Dylan album promotion                               
 
Best Digital Service
Winner: We7                                          

Best Mobile Campaign
Winner: Red Stripe Camden Crawl 2008
 
Breakthrough Artist of the Year
Winner: Vampire Weekend                        
 
Artist of the Year
Winner: Radiohead                                  
 
Best Innovation
Winner: Kylie Konnect                             
 
Best Music Hardware
Winner: Gibson 'robot' guitar

Best Music Blog
Winner: StopCryingYourHeartOutnews.blogspot.com - Latest Oasis news
 
Best Unofficial Music Site
Winner: AvrilBandAids.com - Avril Lavigne fansite, Canada

Best Official Music Site
Winner: Coldplay.com