Year-in, year-out, we can rely on the BRIT awards to serve up an endless source of entertainment, like a spigot spouting forth a faithful formula of pop royalty, awkward hosting jokes, and outrageous outfits. And this year was no exception with production turned up to 100, as well as several standout performances.

We look at the 7 best moments from the 2019 BRITs…

We say Hugh Jackman. You say… Wolverine, probably. Who knew the guy had so much range? But in the light of the incredible success of his latest film The Greatest Showman (the soundtrack has broken the record for the longest-running number one album of the decade), the Australian actor decided to pull it out of the bag by opening the BRITs. Big. Move. And it was a dazzling spectacle, complete with acrobats and Jackman in a silver tux. Naturally.

The Carters (oh hey, Bey and Jay) swiped the award for Best International Group. Even though the pair didn’t make it across the pond to attend the awards ceremony, a short acceptance video showed the pair recreating their iconic “APES**T” music video. This time though, rather than the camera panning out in front of the Mona Lisa in the Louvre in Paris, the Carters are seen in front of a glorious portrait of Megan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, which they turn to face at the end of the clip. We stan.

In the light of the #MeToo movement, and what feels like fresh allegations cropping up everyday about various male artists, the 1975 decided to address misogyny in the music industry in their acceptance speech for Best British Group. Quoting an essay written by journalist Laura Snapes, Matty Healy addressed the audience: “I just want you to listen to me for one sec. Just a couple of sentences that a friend of ours, Laura Snapes, said this, and I thought we should all really think about it. Male misogynist acts are examined for nuance and defended as traits of ‘difficult’ artists, [while] women and those who call them out are treated as hysterics who don’t understand art.” The group also won Best British Album for their record A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships.

When dance producer and DJ success Calvin Harris took to the stage to accept his speech for Best British Producer, quizzical murmurs simultaneously flooded the arena. Firstly, shock at Harris’ undeniable glow-up over the years (Hair! Teeth! Tan!), and then a unanimous: “Did you know Calvin Harris was Scottish?” Hailed from the rural market town Dumfries, we’d failed to notice over the years that he rocks a thick Scottish accent. The internet reacted accordingly.

I was today years old when I found out that Calvin Harris is Scottish #BritAwards2019

— Fay (@FayLouiseLoewy) February 20, 2019

Every year at the BRITs we know can expect a fab barrage of performances, and this year the production level was turned up all the way to the max. Kicking off the show was an unlikely performance from Hugh Jackman, then George Ezra, Jorja Smith with an emosh set, The 1975 on a treadmill, Jess Glynne taking off her makeup live in front of millions of viewers, Dua Lipa and Calvin Harris on a huge makeshift outdoor hill, and Little Mix with a crowd-pleasing performance of “Woman Like Me.”

Jibes. Jibes abound. To say that this year’s host comedian Jack Whitehall went in was an understatement. From trying to incite arguments (between Little Mix and Piers Morgan), to awkward questions (Shawn Mendes was reminded of his recently-released and palpitation-inducing Calvin Klein ads), to even straight-up disses (he introduced George Ezra by calling him the “Prius of pop”), the audience was in perpetual gasp-mode.

Back in 1977, The Beatles were one of the first acts to receive the honour of Outstanding Contribution at the BRITs. And this year, to take the lifetime achievement was pop babe Pink, who celebrated the award with an electric performance flanked by fire and rain elements (yep!). Bastille’s Dan Smith also made an appearance on stage to add to the wow-factor.