It’s one of the biggest nights in music anywhere in the world. Whether you watch it for the winners, the music or just because it’s on, the BRITs are back for 2016. This year they’re taking place on the 24th February at the O2 Arena in London. Ant and Dec are hosting when it’s shown live on ITV, but what’s actually happening on the night?
This year, just like last year, there are thirteen awards up for grabs, each with their own set of nominees who will be competing to try and win the trophies, which this year have been designed by Pam Hogg.
At the moment, we’re also uncertain of the nominees for this year’s Global Success Award, which was won by Sam Smith in 2015. Whilst there may be 13 awards, we currently only know of the nominees for 11. So who’s up for what at this year’s BRITs?
Impressive range of nominees
This year’s British Female Solo Artist is a battle between Adele, Amy Winehouse, Florence + The Machine, Jess Glynne and Laura Marling, whereas the male equivalent of the award sees Calvin Harris, Mark Ronson and James Bay battling Aphex Twin and Jamie xx for the award.
British Group sees groups of a range of genres nominated, with Years & Years alongside One Direction battling Blur, Coldplay and Foals for the award, whereas International Group sees Alabama Shakes, Major Lazer, Tame Impala and U2 alongside Eagles of Death Metal, who you may remember being the band that had their concert attacked during last year’s Paris Attacks.
Don’t go thinking you can take all these home now, @antanddec! We’ve got our eyes on you ? #BRITs pic.twitter.com/slajpQbYhi
— BRIT Awards (@brits) February 5, 2016
Music relies heavily on producers, and they aren’t forgotten when it comes to the BRITs. Four producers are up for the award, namely Mark Ronson (who worked on Adele’s 25 and is working on Lady Gaga’s fifth studio album due to be released later this year), Charlie Andrew (the producer behind both of Alt-J’s albums), Mike Crossey (who produced Jake Bugg’s album alongside The 1975’s albums and single ‘The Judge’ from Blurryface by Twenty One Pilots) and Tom Dalgety (who has worked with Royal Blood, The Maccabees and Simple Minds amongst others).
British Single
Then we come to the British Single award, which last year went to ‘Uptown Funk’ by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars. This year, it’s Adele’s ‘Hello’ up against other contenders including Calvin Harris & Disciples with ‘How Deep Is Your Love’, ‘Bloodstream’ by Ed Sheeran and Rudimental, ‘Love Me Like You Do’ by Ellie Goulding, ‘Hold Back The River’ by James Bay, ‘Hold My Hand’ by Jess Glynne, ‘Black Magic’ by Little Mix, ‘Up’ by Olly Murs and Demi Lovato, ‘Wish You Were Mine’ by Philip George and ‘King’ by Years & Years.
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qTH4VVMs1Y]Then, of course, we should remember the Mastercard British Album Of The Year award, which this year has five nominations. These are Adele’s 25, A Head Full Of Dreams by Coldplay, How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful by Florence + The Machine, James Bay’s Chaos And The Calm and In Colour by Jamie XX.
Public vote
So, that brings us down to the final two awards, and these are the ones where the public gets to decide who wins. Two awards are up for public vote this year; British Artist Video and British Breakthrough Act. The British Artist Video is a social vote via Twitter, and one by one nominations are being eliminated based on popularity. The aim is to keep your contender in the running by continuing to tweet using the corresponding hashtag, so check the nominations and vote for your favourite here.
Voting for the British Breakthrough Act award doesn’t open until Monday 15th February, but you will have a choice of either Catfish and the Bottlemen, James Bay, Jess Glynne, Wolf Alice or Years & Years.
So that’s the who’s who and what’s what of this year’s BRITs! The Awards will be held at the O2 Arena on Wednesday 24th February on ITV, with live performances from Adele, Justin Bieber, Coldplay and Rihanna already confirmed on the night. Let’s hope this time everything really will be alright on the night…
Are you looking forward to the BRITs? Who do you think will win? Let us know in the comments below!
