'It's good to be back...' said Bono, at the end of a full-throttle performance of 'Get On Your Boots' to open up tonight's 2009 BRIT Awards in London.

And if the band weren't up for any awards or presenting any, it seemed like half the award winners that did head to the stage could have told their own U2 stories.

Kings of Leon, who played legendary support slot on the opening leg of the Vertigo Tour in 2005, won 'Best International Group'. Kanye West, another friend of the band, who also played support on Vertigo, won 'Best International Male Artist'.

Just last week, Elbow, who won 'Best British Group' saw their beautiful cover of Joshua Tree classic 'Running To Stand Still' released on the new War Child album, the charity which helps children in areas of conflict.

And then Brandon Flowers, who used to go to U2 shows in his home town of Las Vegas before he even started The Killers, turned up onstage with a very fine commendation of Pet Shop Boys who were receiving the award for 'Outstanding Contribution to Music'.

All we needed in their closing medley of hits was a nod to their own hit cover of 'Where The Streets Have No Name'.

And then there was Girls Aloud... but try as we might, we just couldn't think of any connection.