The splintered music world truly coalesces only one night each year, the night of the Grammy Awards, and this year was united in the triumph of recovered British soul singer Adele’s trophy haul and the tragedy of Whitney Houston’s death.

The young women of country ruled the Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas last night, with Taylor Swift winning the prestigious entertainer of the year award and the night’s top nominee, Miranda Lambert, taking home four trophies.

COUNTRY trio Lady Antebellum and Canadian rock band Arcade Fire lit up the Grammy Awards, winning key prizes in a ceremony packed with upset victories and a humiliating setback for Eminem.