Radiohead best act in Q awards ... again

Radiohead were hailed as the greatest band since U2 yesterday when they were voted the best act in the world for the third successive year at the Q Awards.

Radiohead were hailed as the greatest band since U2 yesterday when they were voted the best act in the world for the third successive year at the Q Awards.

The band, from Oxford, were honoured last night by readers of the music magazine at a ceremony at the Park Lane Hotel in London.

But Thom Yorke, the lead singer, and his bandmates still have some way to go before matching the achievements of U2 in the eyes of Q readers; the Irish rockers were voted best band in the world for four successive years (1990-93) and have subsequently won other awards in minor categories.

Coldplay were frozen out of last night's proceedings despite being nominated for four awards. The band, who won awards in previous years for their albums Parachutes and A Rush of Blood to the Head, were passed over in the best act, best video, best live act and best single categories.

Christina Aguilera, who won the best single award for her track "Dirrty", flew in from the US for the ceremony.

Robbie Williams's concerts at Knebworth helped him win the best live act category, while Blur collected the best album award for Think Tank. The Q icon award was given to the American alternative rockers Jane's Addiction.

Muse were honoured in the innovation category and Scott Walker of the Walker Brothers was invited to the ceremony to collect a special award for his contribution to music.

Eighties bands also fared well. Dexy's Midnight Runners, who are embarking on a new tour, were given the songwriting award, the Cure won a prize for inspiration and Duran Duran were honoured for lifetime achievement.

Gareth Grundy, Q's deputy editor, said the year in music had been one of change rather than retrospection.

"There has been lots of exciting new stuff coming through," he said.

He pointed to the fact that bands such as the Thrills (who won best new act), Electric Six (best video for "Gay Bar") and the Darkness (nominated but unsuccessful) were not well known at the start of the year.

Mr Grundy said Radiohead and U2 could not afford to rest on their laurels. "Everything is changing and it is exciting for the future," he said.

"It seems that within the space of an album you are on the mainstream radar, if you are good enough. It gees up the old fellas a bit, they have got a lot less breathing space."

The Winners

Best new act: The Thrills

Best video: Electric Six ­ 'Gay Bar'

Inspiration award: The Cure

Best live act: Robbie Williams

Songwriter award: Dexy's Midnight Runners

Best producer: Nigel Godrich

Best single: Christina Aguilera ­ 'Dirrty'

Best album: Blur ­ 'Think Tank'

Best act in the world: Radiohead (pictured)

Icon award: Jane's Addiction

Lifetime achievement award: Duran Duran

Special award: Scott Walker

Innovation award: Muse