The 40th annual edition of the BRIT Awards aired last night, with the usual glitz and glamour on full display. For its special anniversary, the show trotted out everyone from Rod Stewart to Courtney Love to Tom Jones to mark its colourful history. Yet the Awards looked as much to the future as it did to the past with a host of politically-charged speeches from presenters and winners alike.

The evening was notable for its somber undertones, the death of presenter and British showbiz fixture Caroline Flack calling into question how vibrant the awards could manage to be. Harry Styles, Flack’s one-time ex, appeared on the red carpet wearing a black ribbon on his (usually ostentatious) lapel. Returning host Jack Whitehall remembered her as soon as the mic was in his hand: “She was a kind and vibrant person and she will be sorely missed.”

It set the theme for a show that recognized many injustices. Several jabs about the lack of female nominees peppered the broadcast, while Album of the Year winner Dave performed “Black” with changed lyrics that called attention to Grenfell Tower, Meghan Markle's struggles, and the 2019 London Bridge terror attack. Of Boris Johnson he crooned: “It is racist even if it doesn’t feel racist, the truth is our Prime Minister is the real racist.”

Tyler, the Creator did not hold back either, announcing in his acceptance speech for Best International Male Solo Artist, “I want to give a special shoutout to someone who made it where I couldn’t come to this country five years ago, I know she’s at home p*ssed off. Thank you, Theresa May!”

Brief moments of levity came in the form of celebrities starstruck over each other: Jack Whitehall spilling a drink on Harry Styles, Billie Eilish squealing “Thanks Sporty!” to an amused Mel C.

The most heartwarming acceptance speech of the night went to Best Female Solo Artist Mabel, who announced to the crowd that it was 30 years ago to the day that her mother Neneh Cherry won two Brit Awards herself.

Lewis Capaldi took home the awards for Best New Artist, Song of the Year, and—if it were a category—best acceptance speeches. His off-the-cuff, “Thank you very f**king much,” and “Thanks to my grandmother for...dying? I don’t know, I’ll see you later,” enthralled a slightly restless audience.

The show ended sweetly with a tongue-tied and shell-shocked Dave stumbling towards the stage, thanking God, his mother, and even Hans Zimmer. As ever, he made sure to pay tribute to his humble Streatham roots: “Everyone that comes from the place that I come from...all my young kings and queens that are chasing their dreams, I’m just a guy. You can do anything that you put your mind to.”