Belfast band Snow Patrol stole the limelight from a host of Irish and international acts tonight as they scooped two top awards at the Meteor Ireland Music Show.
The band, which finally broke into the top of the charts with their third album, Final Straw, fought off stiff competition to walk away with the accolade for best Irish band and best Irish album in Dublin's packed Point Theatre.
There were 17 Meteor Ireland Music Awards handed out in a star-packed extravaganza hosted by comedian Ed Byrne - five of which were chosen by members of the public.
Rapper Snoop Dogg got almost 8,000 music fans dancing as he came out on stage first leading the way for a host of hot acts.
The thousands of fans watched performances from top international and Irish acts including Paddy Casey, The Thrills, The Devlins, Bell X 1, Aslan, Brian McFadden and Delta Goodrem, Westlife, Declan O'Rouke and Hollywood star Juliette Lewis and The Licks.
The audience were also in for a surprise as Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood made a surprise guest appearance on stage with Irish band The Thrills.
Westlife emerged as the public's favourite choice for best pop act, while Today FM's Ray D'arcy won the award for best Irish DJ on the airwaves.
There was a stellar cast presenting awards as well, including model Caprice, hot starlet Samantha Mumba, Westlife manager Louis Walsh, Coronation Streetactor Tommy Harris and comedian Des Bishop.
Natural Born Killers star Juliette Lewis presented the award for best Irish male to Paddy Casey, whose album Living has gone platinum. Casey thanked his band for their hectic past year.
Juliet Turner, whose album Burn The Black Suitwas a firm hit, won best Irish female.
Dublin band Aslan, headed by Christy Dignam, were given the lifetime achievement award in recognition of their contribution to Irish music over the past 22 years.
Some of the most keenly sought-after awards were those voted on by the public, and included best Irish DJ, best Irish pop act, best Irish band, female and male. On the international front, PJ Harvey took best international female while Morrissey got best international male. Glasgow-based Franz Ferdinand scooped best international group and album, while upcoming Irish rockers The Chalets won the best new Irish band.
Planxty, including Christy Moore, Donal Lunny, Liam O'Flynn and Andy Irvine, scooped the best folk act. The Angels of Mons were given the 2FM Hope for 2005 awards, while The Killers scooped the best visiting live performance for their gig at the Olympia theatre.
The humanitarian award went to Adi Roche, who founded the Chernobyl Children's Project. She has worked for the best part of two decades to bring young people from radiation-stricken Belarus to Ireland for recuperation.
John Hughes, the musician and manager of The Corrs, was presented with the Meteor industry award.
PA