While Lady Gaga gave Grammy audiences a rapid-fire medley of David Bowie hits, Lorde went for a more subdued approach at last night’s BRIT Awards. After Bowie’s band ran through an instrumental selection of the late music and fashion icon’s recognizable hits, Lorde, who Bowie once called “the future of music,” took the stage and delivered a powerful rendition of “Life On Mars“.
At the British awards ceremony, Bowie was presented with a posthumous Icon award, which was
introduced by Annie Lennox and accepted by actor Gary Oldman.
“We are all coming to terms with the magnitude of David’s passing,” Oldman said on stage. “The world lost a man, an artist of transcendent talent… David, you were mortal, but your potential was superhuman, and your remarkable music is living on. We love you, and we thank you.”
Bowie’s backing band ripped through a selection of hits, like “Space Oddity,” and “Rebel Rebel”, before Lorde stepped up and sang “Life On Mars”.
Even Bowie’s song, Duncan Jones, who criticized Gaga’s performance, was impressed.
“Just… beautiful. Thank you,” he tweeted.
Read Lorde’s lengthy statement posted in the hours after Bowie’s passing last month, and watch her tribute to the Duke below…