Cast your mind back to early 1999. Tony Blair was living it large at Number 10. The euro had just become a thing and scientists were warning us about the dangers of genetically modified foods. Elsewhere, Denise van Outen left The Big Breakfast and was replaced by Kelly Brook, the first episode of Holby City hit BBC One and people were already losing their shit over the bloody millennium.
It was a big year, only made bigger by the Brit Awards. Why? Because we have a feeling that this, the biggest annual music awards show in the country, might have peaked 20 years ago. Hear me out. These were the Top Of The Pops years. Live music was celebrated TV territory and there was none of this 'I'll just watch the best bits on YouTube and follow the rest on Twitter' malarkey. We were way more invested in our celebrities because we didn't really see or hear that much from them (social media, we're blaming you). So when events like the Brits came around, it always felt rather special to hear about a group of the world's biggest stars being popped in a room and given a load of free booze – you'll see how that worked out for Robbie Williams in a minute.
It was in this year that Whitney Houston popped across the pond to sing in the Brit arena. It was the year Stevie Wonder shared the stage with Annie Lennox, and pop heavyweights B*Witched, Billie Piper, Cleopatra and Steps got together to do a very strange ABBA tribute. It was everything. Don't believe me? See for yourself. Click through to experience the spectacle that was the 1999 Brit Awards – featuring the few '90s outfits we're not nostalgic for, one of the most underrated girl groups in history, and a few low-key celebrities you had definitely forgotten about. Enjoy.
I really hope that Jason Statham and Vinnie Jones had a quick chat on their top-of-the-range Nokias to make sure that the plan to wear all black was still on.
Photo by...Richard Young/REX/Shutterstock
Nineteen-year-old Kelly Brook, rocking the corset-choker combo, had just landed a job on The Big Breakfast alongside Johnny Vaughan.
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Yes, this was Cher's year too. Well, she wasn't nominated for anything but she belted out "Believe" like nobody's business.
Photo by Richard Young/REX/Shutterstock
Look! It's Steps! STEPS! Well, four of Steps – it seems Lee (everyone fancied Lee) was off shimmying elsewhere when this was taken but god, how happy do they all look?
Photo by Richard Young/REX/Shutterstock
All Saints lost out to Robbie Williams in the British Video of the Year category (they were nominated for "Under The Bridge") but they were invited on stage to present Natalie Imbruglia with her award for International Newcomer.
Photo by Richard Young/REX/Shutterstock
If this isn't evidence that Love Actually star Martine McCutcheon inspired Kim Kardashian's style direction, then I don't know what is.
Photo by Richard Young/REX/Shutterstock
Here is Natalie Imbruglia. She's happy because All Saints presented her with an award.
Photo by Richard Young/REX/Shutterstock
Another Level were also in attendance that year. Don't know who Another Level are? That's okay. They're the guys who sang "Freak Me". They broke up in the year 2000 and then Dane Bowers tried very hard to have a solo career.
Photo by Richard Young/REX/Shutterstock
What a jump from the last slide, amirite? We'll overlook the Union Jack suit to give the appropriate attention to dear Stevie Wonder and Annie Lennox. They did three whole songs!
Photo by Richard Young/REX/Shutterstock
Believe it or not, this is Ronan Keating in a cap, tie and pinstripe suit. Life really is a rollercoaster.
Photo by...Richard Young/REX/Shutterstock
Oh, The Corrs. Aren't they great? They performed "Runaway" (obvs) and also took home the award for best International Group. Now that I've mentioned it, I'm pretty confident that you'll have listened to "Runaway" before the day is done.
Photo by...Richard Young/REX/Shutterstock
The 5ive boys were in the running for British Breakthrough Act. They didn't win, but that's only because "If Ya Gettin' Down" and "Keep on Movin" weren't out yet.
Photo by...Tony Larkin/REX/Shutterstock
Please can we show some love for Honeyz, one of the most underrated girl groups in the history of British pop music. Their reign (generous word, I know) was short-lived, but "Finally Found" is a vibe.
Photo by...Tony Larkin/REX/Shutterstock
Classic Goldie. Repping the sunglasses in the dark because who really needs to be able to see where they're going at the biggest piss-up in the music calendar? Silly.
Photo by...Tony Larkin/REX/Shutterstock
I worshipped Billie Piper as a kid. That's a lie. I have worshipped her well into adulthood. Here we have a bold outfit choice that my mum would've rolled her eyes at, but come on. What else does one wear to the 1999 Brits at which they're nominated for two awards?
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I can sense you squinting at the screen as you strain to work out who these lot are. It's B*Witched of course! I know, hard to recognise them when they're not in the usual denim get-up but here they are having a wonderful time.
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Another beloved girl group who faded from the limelight far too quickly – Cleopatra, coming at ya. They were up for British Breakthrough Act and sadly lost out to Belle & Sebastian.
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I know what you're thinking. Is this another ambitious Louis Walsh super-group idea? No no. I don't think he was involved. But B*Witched, Steps, Cleopatra and Billie Piper did do an ABBA medley at the beginning of the ceremony. Watch it – I dare you.
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This is why Ronan was in that pinstripe suit, see? Because Boyzone decided to all wear pinstripe suits to sing "When The Going Gets Tough" for the occasion.
Photo by...Alan Davidson/REX/Shutterstock
This, my friends, is what cameras were made for. Capturing incredible moments between Fatboy Slim and Boy George.
Photo by...Alan Davidson/REX/Shutterstock
No your eyes do not deceive you. That is queen Whitney Houston at the goddamn Brits! She performed "It's Not Right But It's Okay" and it was great.
Photo by...Alan Davidson/REX/Shutterstock
Yes, Tamara Beckwith was there too!
Photo by...Alan Davidson/REX/Shutterstock
Just seeing Angela Griffin's face brings back a flurry of great TV memories. Coronation Street? She was in that. Waterloo Road? She owned that one. At this very moment, though, I really want to know why she's carrying what looks like a leaflet for a villa holiday company.
Photo by...Alan Davidson/REX/Shutterstock
Ah, Bowie. Anyone at the Brits that year was blessed with an opportunity to watch him perform live with Placebo. An honour, really.
Photo by...Alan Davidson/REX/Shutterstock
Not that this needs any introduction, but 1999 really was Robbie Williams' year. He performed "Let Me Entertain You" before taking home three awards – Video of the Year for "Millennium", Single of the Year for "Angels" and Male Solo Act – and drinking all the drinks. How did that go? Please see the sign.
Photo by...Alan Davidson/REX/ShutterstockLike what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
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