At the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, it was a big night for Quebec-based band Arcade Fire who took home the award for Album of the Year. Country trio Lady Antebellum won an array of trophies including Record of the Year.
In a ceremony dominated by pop, R&B and hip-hop acts, few pundits had given the defiantly independent Montreal band any chance of taking top prize.
The band was honored for its album "The Suburbs," which topped the U.S. and Canadian charts last year.
Lady Antebellum ended up with the most awards, winning five out of its six categories, including the key song and record of the year races for "Need You Now".
Another lady--- Lady Gaga won Best Pop Vocal Album for "The Fame Monster".
Eminem, who led the field with 10 nominations, ended up with just two awards in the rap field.
Flamboyant pop singer Lady Gaga and rapper Jay-Z won three awards each, both of them beating Eminem along the way.
The winner of the best new artist prize was also a shock, as American bassist Esperanza Spalding took the honor over a pair of red-hot Canadian idols, Justin Bieber and Drake.