Dave Hogan/Getty ImagesSo much for crafting a rock-star attitude. Chris Martin, he of the newly crowned Best Act in the World Today, has reverted back to his humble beginnings.
Coldplay captured the two most prestigious gongs at the Q Awards Monday in London, Best Album for Viva la Vida, or Death and All His Friends, and the sure-to-be-disputed Best Act in the World Today.
While accepting the album prize, Martin boasted that Coldplay is "the greatest band in the world." But it didn't take Martin long to retract the claim.
"Well, not quite the biggest band," the frontman said. "U2 are on holiday. Radiohead are on holiday."
Coldplay, meanwhile, was on a roll.
The outfit-coordinated Martin-fronted group returned to the stage later in the ceremony to accept the coveted award for Best Act in the World.
"I don't think we're the best act in the room, let alone the world," he said. (No wonder Gwynnie loves him.)
Although Coldplay clearly made the most of its evening, other winners included Duffy, who won the award for Breakthrough Artist, Keane, Vampire Weekend, the Kaiser Chiefs, the Last Shadow Puppets, Adam Ant, who won the Q Icon Award, and Meat Loaf.
One of the more touching moments came after Pink Floyd's David Gilmour was honored with the Outstanding Contribution to Music Award, which he dedicated to his late bandmate Richard Wright.
Gilmour gave a toast to the keyboardist, imploring the crowd to stand and raise their glasses to his memory and legacy.
"There's all sorts of music that I will not be able to play again without him," Gilmour said. "That's a source of sadness for me."
Both nominees and winners for the awards are voted on by readers of Q, Britain's monthly music magazine.