Muse and Kasabian win top NME Awards

Kasabian won two NME trophies a week after picking up a Brit Award

Muse and Kasabian tied for the top honours at the NME Awards in London, winning best British band and best album respectively.

Paul Weller was saluted by the rock community when he was bestowed with the Godlike Genius title at the ceremony.

But Oasis, who were up for three main awards, were snubbed by the magazine's readers after their split last year.

They lost out to old rivals Blur in the best live event category, while Arctic Monkeys were named best live band.

NME editor Krissi Murison said 3.6 million votes had been cast to determine this year's winners.

Muse beat Oasis, Arctic Monkeys, Biffy Clyro and Kasabian to the best band trophy, and singer Matt Bellamy said the win was "a great surprise".

"I didn't expect to win that one at all," he said. "It's very humbling to win that." The band also won best website.

Paul Weller was joined on stage by Oasis guitarist Gem Archer (right)

Kasabian were given a second prize for best album artwork for West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum.

Oasis were also up for best video, but that went to Biffy Clyro for The Captain.

Noel and Liam Gallagher were not at the ceremony, but the band's guitarist Gem Archer was on stage, performing as part of Weller's band.

Weller was presented with his honorary accolade by The Clash guitarist Mick Jones and Primal Scream frontman Bobby Gillespie.

Introducing the former Jam and Style Council star, Gillespie said: "He wrote some of the most beautiful and poetic songs about being young and British."

Weller responded: "I'm embarrassed that people said so many nice things about me. They're all true."

He then closed the show with a rendition of his hits and his new single 7+3 Is The Striker's Name.

Britpop rivals Jarvis Cocker (left) and Damon Albarn were reunited on stage

Earlier, ska legends The Specials had been presented with another honorary award, for outstanding contribution to music.

Six members of the group - minus founder and principal songwriter Jerry Dammers, who has fallen out with his former bandmates over their reunion - accepted the accolade from Damon Albarn.

The Blur and Gorillaz singer said seeing The Specials on TV when he was young had "genuinely changed my life".

"I love this band. They were an incredibly important part of my life when I was growing up," he said.

Blur's own reunion gig in Hyde Park, London, last summer, was voted best live event.

The group's drummer Dave Rowntree, who is due to stand for Parliament for Labour in the Cities of London and Westminster seat at the general election, joked that the NME prize was "the only thing I'm likely to win this year".

Shane MacGowan unveiled his "alternative" Haiti benefit single

Lady GaGa received the best dressed prize, but fans also named the Brit Award winner the worst dressed star.

Former Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan appeared at the event to introduce an "alternative" charity single for the victims of the Haiti earthquake.

Johnny Depp plays guitar on the cover of Screamin' Jay Hawkins' classic I Put A Spell On You, while Nick Cave, Chrissie Hynde and Paloma Faith also took part.

Its video received its premiere at the ceremony and the single will be available to download from Monday. Proceeds will go to the charity Concern.

Lily Allen performed a duet with cult guitar band The Big Pink, while Welsh songbird Marina and the Diamonds teamed up on stage with rock group Biffy Clyro.

Former Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker hosted the show, with the venue transformed into a Victorian mansion's wood-panelled library.