Paolo Nutini was named Headline Performance of the Year at last night’s (14.11.11) UK Festival Awards.

The Scottish ‘ Pencil Full of Lead’ singer scooped the prize for his Headlining slot at Latitude festival earlier this year, beating Metallica, Magnetic Man and Chase and Status to the title.

Paolo said earlier this year he feels his live show has improved as he is much more confident performing tracks from his second album, ‘Sunny Side Up’, live.

He said: “On the first record I was writing the songs, performing them live, but it was quite contained. The second felt like I was really expressing myself – my back wasn’t hunched, my chest was out, I was up there singing feeling happy and confident.

“I was saying what I felt – and hopefully getting people moving and enjoying their night.”

Meanwhile, newcomer Ed Sheeran took home Best Breakthrough Artist after a summer which saw him perform at festivals across the UK including Glastonbury, Latitude and Lovebox.

Elsewhere at the awards – held at London’s Roundhouse venue – Anthem of the Summer went to dance act Chase and Status for their single ‘Blind Faith’, which was released in January, and became a staple of many DJ sets across the summer months.

Line-Up of the Year was awarded to rock festival Sonisphere, which brought The Big 4 – heavy metal bands Anthrax, Megadeth, Metallica and Slayer – to the UK for the first time.

Glastonbury was named Best Major Festival, while Fans’ Favourite Festival was named as Bestival, which takes place on the Isle of Wight.

UK Festival awards 2011, list of major category winners:

Best New Festival

Winner: Wilderness

Best Metropolitan Festival

Winner: Tramlines

Best Dance Event

Winner: Creamfields

Best Overseas Festival

Winner: Outlook (Croatia)

Best Family Festival

Winner: Beautiful Days

Best Breakthrough Artist

Ed Sheeran

Line-Up of the Year

Sonisphere

Headline Performance of the Year

Paolo Nutini at Latitude

Anthem of the Summer

Chase and Status, ‘Blind Faith’

Agent of the Year

Steve Strange

Promoter of the Year

Secret Productions

Best Small Festival

End of the Road

Best Medium-Sized Festival

Secret Garden Party

Best Major Festival

Glastonbury

Fans’ Favourite Festival

Bestival

The Lifetime Achievement Award

Steve Heap, Mrs Casey Music / Towersey Village Festival