Bangkok Post

The New York trio Fun had been among the favourites to triumph at the 55th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Centre in central Los Angeles, thanks to their leading six nominations.

Nate Ruess, lead singer of Fun, performs at the 55th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California on Sunday night. (Reuters photo)

In the end they had to settle for best new artist and song of the year for their feel-good anthem "We Are Young".

Another top contender Frank Ocean had to be content with a single victory for his album "Channel ORANGE" which was named best urban contemporary album, plus another award for best rap collaboration with Jay-Z and Kanye West.

Indie rockers The Black Keys won Grammys for rock performance, rock album, rock song and producer of the year for the band’s Dan Auerbach, while the best pop vocal album went to Kelly Clarkson's Stronger.

In other awards last year’s big winner, Adele, collected the pop solo performance trophy for "Set Fire to the Rain", the Zac Brown Band won best country album for "Uncaged" and Carrie Underwood grabbed the prize for country solo performance. Colombian singer Juanes won for best Latin pop album.

As usual the performances at the 55th annual Grammy Awards were as notable as the awards, with Taylor Swift opening the show in a Cirque du Soleil-style performance of her hit single "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together".

Other performers included Rihanna, Sting, Kelly Clarkson, Dierks Bentley and Miranda Lambert, The Black Keys, Fun, the Lumineers, Mumford & Sons, Frank Ocean, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Jack White, Alicia Keys, Maroon 5 and Justin Timberlake.

"Welcome to the greatest music show on Earth," host LL Cool J said.