The Pistolas Triumph At Diesel-U-Music Awards

The Pistolas emerged as best live act last night at the Diesel U-Music Awards. The act were full of praise for the awards themselves, claiming that "what they're doing pushes music forward". They also took the chance to remind the industry that there is life outside of London. "There's a whole scene outside of London, come down and see Norwich!"

The awards, which started in 2001, have gone from strength to strength in promoting new music, with previous winners such as Tom Vek. The night was staged at super-club Canvas in the heart of King's Cross, and was presented by BBC Radio One's Edith Bowman. Guests included the cream of the British music industry ranging from The Paddingtons and El Presidente on Zane Lowe's table, to Bez, Ian McCullock and Rowetta sharing a bottle at Normski's table.

The other genre winners on the night were as follows:
Electronic: Chalk
Rock: The Pistolas
Leftfield: Shuffle
Hip Hop: Riddla
Drum & Bass: Genetics
DJ: Luke Ashworth
VJ: Inside us All

The awards represent UK music which has the potential to reach the top. "All the winners are inspiring, how can we choose?" blurted one guest enjoying the free champagne. DJ winner Luke Ashworth had his first club residency at the tender age of thirteen, and was clearly delighted to be there. Chalk dedicated their award to their late manager, while Riddla declared the award was the first recognition he'd had in his whole life. Genetics thanked Diesel "for actually listening to my stuff".

Mark E. Smith's The Ball won the contribution to music award, and Gang of Four won rapturous applause for the Lifetime Achievement Award. They took the chance to celebrate how controversial they were. "We were banned by the BBC, banned by radio and thrown off Top of the Pops," Andy Gill declared to a foot-stomping audience.

The Magic Numbers (whose idea of black tie is a black t-shirt and black cords) entertained at the after party, as well as The Paddingtons and Damien Lazarus while the crowds boogied into the small hours. NME editor Connor McNicholas declared the awards were "about the music that's big in five years." With The Pistolas performing a fiesty set, and citing Sonic Youth and The Clash as their influences, we can only hope for more.