Coldplay Are Crowned the ‘Best Band in the World’

Coldplay were officially crowned the world’s best band at the Q Awards last night.

The globally-renowned group took home two awards from the event in London, which celebrated this year’s top musical triumphs.

The band, lead by Exeter-born frontman Chris Martin, were up for four awards – the largest number of nominations at the ceremony – for their album, single, video and the group as a whole.

They walked away with the coveted award for the Best Act in the World Today, along with Best Album for their fourth studio album, Viva La Vida or Death and all his Friends.

The album soared to the top of the UK charts when it was released in June and has since topped album charts in 36 countries around the world. It also became the most paid-for downloaded album to date.

Lead singer Martin collected the Best Act award, which the band beat off competition from rock giants Oasis, Metallica, Kings of Leon and Teignmouth-based Muse to win.

He said: "We’re not cool. We’re the biggest band in the world. Okay, U2 are on holiday and Radiohead are on holiday also."

Martin grew up in Whitestone near Exeter and boarded at boy’s school Sherborne in Dorset. He left the Westcountry to attend University College, London, where he met his band-mates.

Awards were also won by a variety of old and new musicians, including Welsh singer Duffy, 1980s pop star Adam Ant and Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour.

(c) 2008 Western Morning News, The Plymouth (UK). Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.