While Amy Winehouse dominated the Grammy Awards last week, music's biggest night in the UK was a decidedly more democratic affair.

At the Brit Awards in London this evening, Arctic Monkeys, Foo Fighters, and Take That claimed two awards apiece, sharing top honors at the British music industry's most prestigious awards ceremony.

The Arctic Monkeys won British group of the year and British album of the year prize for Favourite Worst Nightmare, the second year in a row the upstart has garnered those two awards.

The Foo Fighters, meanwhile, claimed similar honors for non-British artists, winning top international group and top international album for Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace.

Grown-up boy band Take That took the British single of the year prize for its song "Shine" and also the award for best live act. The band, which split in 1996 but reformed a decade later minus original member Robbie Williams, joked about its members' advancing years.

"I'm 37 years old, I've got an arthritic knee," band member Jason Orange said.

Winehouse, who won five Grammys earlier this month, was not up for any awards this year, as she won best British female last year. This year that honor went to Kate Nash.

Winehouse did appear at the ceremony, performing her song "Love is a Losing Game," as well as "Valerie," her song from Version, the 2007 covers album from producer Marc Ronson, who also produced Winehouse-acclaimed Back to Black album and claimed a Brit for top British male artist.

"I've never felt so British or male in my entire life," Ronson said.

Paul McCartney, who has spent the last week in court trying to settle his acrimonious divorce from Heather Mills, closed the show with a crowd-pleasing medley of hits, including "Hey Jude," "Lady Madonna," and "Live and Let Die." McCartney received a lifetime achievement award at the ceremony.

Beirut-born, London-raised Mika, whose flamboyant vocal style has been likened to Queen's Freddie Mercury, was named British breakthrough act. Kanye West and Kylie Minogue were named international solo acts of the year.

The awards are run by the British Phonographic Industry Ltd., an industry association. Most winners are selected by a vote of more than 1,000 industry members, including representatives from record companies, the media, retailers, record producers, disc jockeys, and promoters.

Brit Award winners:

British Male Solo: Mark Ronson

British Album: Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare

British Female Solo: Kate Nash

British Group: Arctic Monkeys

Best Live Act: Take That

British Breakthrough: Mika

British Single: Take That - "Shine"

International Male Solo: Kanye West

International Female Solo: Kylie Minogue

International Group: Foo Fighters

International Album: Foo Fighters - Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace

Outstanding Contribution: Paul McCartney

Critics Choice 2008: Adele