Best live band accolade for Franz Ferdinand

Published on Friday 24 February 2006 00:39

SCOTS rockers Franz Ferdinand last night beat off competition from the likes of Green Day, the Kaiser Chiefs and Oasis to win the coveted title of best live act at the NME music awards.

The Glasgow band's success marks a near-vintage month for Scottish music, coming just over a week after Fife singer KT Tunstall was named best female solo artist at the Brits. Franz Ferdinand have been acclaimed for their second album, You Could Have Had It So Much Better, but the NME award recognised their slick performance on stage as well as in the studio.

However, the night arguably belonged to Sheffield band Arctic Monkeys, who underlined their recent arrival on the music scene with three gongs.

The group, voted best breakthrough act at the Brits, last night picked up the awards for best new band, best British band and best track for their song I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor.

Leeds band the Kaiser Chiefs - three times winners at the Brits - picked up the accolade for best album for their quadruple- platinum release, Employment.

Oasis won best video for The Importance of Being Idle. Other winners at the ceremony in London last night included The Strokes (best international band) and Kanye West (best solo artist).

The NME award for "Godlike Genius" - its equivalent of lifetime achievement - went to the former Stone Roses frontman Ian Brown, who played live at the ceremony.