So, tomorrow night is the Brit Awards. I almost forgot. Which isn’t good. I’m a music journalist after all. If I don’t care, and I’m paid to, who the hell will? Still, it’s hardly surprising that The Brits 2009 is a contender for the most irrelevant two hours on television. Just look at the nominations for Best Male Solo Artist.

Ian Brown – with the best will in the world, love him, Best Male? Hardly George Michael is he?

James Morrison – music’s answer to woodchip.

Paul Weller – how long can you trade on your backcat? Next they’ll be nominating Sir Two Thumbs Up McCartney for Best New Artist.

Streets – Mike Skinner must surely be the only viable winner, and even then, probably belongs in another category.

Will Young – see Ian Brown.

Compare that to the best International Male category – Beck, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Neil Diamond, Seasick Steve – and British music doesn’t exactly look like a hot bed of creativity, glamour or even memorable music.

With Duffy, Adele and Coldplay confirming 2008 as being one of the least exciting years for music in living memory, it’s no wonder the music industry is tanking. The always overblown U2 are opening the show, the ever stylish Pet Shop Boys are closing, but there’s a good hour and a half in the middle there that won’t have anyone on the edge of their seat.