Best DJ: Fatboy Slim

Blur last won best band in 1995 when they were riding high on the huge success of their Parklife album when the NME magazine's awards were known as the Brats. This year they saw off competition from last year's winners Manic Street Preachers.

They released their comeback album 13 in March 1999, which included the eight-minute gospel-edged track Tender, named best single at the NME awards.

The promo for Coffee and TV - which featured an animated milk carton - picked up the best video title.

Prestigious awards

The titles were handed out at a star-studded ceremony at London's Mermaid Theatre, hosted by Radio 1 DJs Steve Lamacq and Mary Anne Hobbs.

Sir Paul McCartney picked up a prestigious honour for The Beatles

The Chemical Brothers, who picked up four Brit nominations on Monday, were named best dance act ahead of Fatboy Slim - although he did not go empty-handed after being named best DJ.

Readers voted hotly-tipped guitar band Muse as best new act, while Super Furry Animals were honoured as best live act.

Happy Mondays veteran Shaun Ryder was named Godlike Genius at the ceremony for his services to music.

But it was down to the act that shaped modern pop and rock, The Beatles, to be declared best band ever in a poll of readers of the influential music paper. Sir Paul McCartney turned up to pick up the award.

Godlike genuis: Happy Mondays' Shaun Ryder

Confusingly, in some categories separate awards were decided by both readers and NME staff.

The NME writers chose Travis as their artist of the year, Terris as the brightest hope, while Windowlicker by Aphex Twin was named single of the year.

Death In Vegas were the NME's dance act of the year, Mogwai were live act of the year and Supergrass picked up the Radio 1 Evening Session's session of the year title.

The best album category was one area where readers and writers alike agreed - both voted for The Soft Bulletin by American band The Flaming Lips.

Presenter Lamacq was also rewarded with his show The Evening Session being named best radio show.