BRITs 2018
Last week the BRIT awards announced their eclectic list of this year’s nominees, with genres ranging from pop, electronic, folk to grime and rock.
HUGE ❤ to all of our BRITs 2018 nominees: Anne-Marie, Arcade Fire, Clean Bandit, Harry Styles, Little Mix, Dave, JHus, Loyle Carner, Stormzy, Rag n Bone Man, Foo Fighters, The Killers, LCD Soundsystem, Lorde, Drake, London Grammar, Wolf Alice, The XX, Paloma Faith, Royal Blood, Laura Marling, Taylor Swift, Beck, Jonas Blue AND Liam Gallagher!!
With the awards looming we look at the upcoming shows we have with those nominated.
Anne Marie
Nominated for:
- British artist video of the year – Anne-Marie – Ciao Adios
Essex-born singer Anne Marie first gained recognition when she burst on the scene with number one single Rockabye with Clean Bandit and Sean Paul. Following on from this, she’s gone from strength to strength producing chart hits such as Heavy, Either Way (a collaboration with Snakehips and Joey Badass) and scoring her first solo top 10 single in the UK, Ciao Adios. Ciao Adios is up for British Artist Video of the Year and flawlessly pairs the break-up anthem with Anne-Marie and her girl gang enjoying a holiday in the beautiful setting of Morocco. The singer is set to play her biggest headline shows to date this March.
Foo Fighters
Nominated for:
- International Group
Foo Fighters’ return last year proved that they were back and better than ever after performing an explosive headline set at Glastonbury Festival. In September, they released their 9th studio album Concrete and Gold which debuted at number one in both the US Billboard 200 and the UK’s Official Albums Chart Top 100. Their nomination for International Group is well deserved as the group continue to exceed expectations through each record and live show, affirming their status as one of the biggest rock bands in the world. Foo Fighters playing SOLD OUT shows at both London Stadium and Manchester’s Etihad Stadium this June.
Harry Styles
Nominated for:
- British artist video of the year – Sign of the Times
Last year was an exciting one for all 1D fans as Harry Styles stormed the charts by releasing his debut single Sign of the Times which entered the UK Official Singles Chart at number one. His self-titled debut album followed suit with it also debuting at number one in the Official Albums Chart. Leading on from this success, the stunning music video for Sign of the Times has earnt him a nomination for British Artist Video of the Year. The video features cinematic shots of the singer pacing the Scottish coastline before soaring over the sea whilst the song intensifies. Harry Styles will also embark on his world tour starting in March with him playing 5 UK Arena dates in April. Tickets are on sale here.
Jorja Smith
WON: Critics’ choice
Following an incredibly positive 2016 the past year has been a whirlwind for Jorja Smith, with her being tipped for success at the start of the year by publications including The Fader, i-D Magazine, Complex, The Guardian, and more the young starlet went on to be placed 4th in the BBC Sound of 2017 poll. 2017 kicked off with her first US headline tour and culminated in her releasing her debut EP and completing her first UK Headline Tour. The Critics’ Choice winner has collaborated with Drake, UK producer Preditah and most recently Stormzy and is set to tour her SOLD OUT shows in February, showing no plans of slowing down.
LCD Soundsystem
Nominated for:
- International group
Since splitting in 2011 the band reformed at Coachella 2016 subsequently headlining stages at Lollapalooza, Glastonbury and Primavera Sound with plans to record and release a new album. The American band finally released their eagerly-awaited fourth album American Dream in September which earnt widespread critical acclaim, featuring in ‘Best Albums of 2017’ lists from many music publications such as NME, Pitchfork, Q and Rolling Stone. Alongside their Brit nomination, their album has bagged Grammy nominations for Best Alternative Music Album with the song Tonite nominated for Best Dance Recording. Continuing the album’s success, the band will also be playing a show in Manchester this June.
Liam Gallagher
Nominated for:
- British male solo artist
2017 saw the release of Liam Gallagher’s debut solo album As You Were, his first musical release since Beady Eye’s BE in 2013. After an extensive promotional campaign before its release, As You Were debuted at number one in the UK’s Official Albums Chart. The album also managed to outsell the rest of the UK albums chart combined proving his Brit nomination for British Male Solo Artist needs no explanation. Liam will be playing a SOLD OUT stadium concert this August in his hometown of Manchester at Manchester Lancashire County Cricket Club
Little Mix
Nominated for:
- British Single – Little Mix – Touch
- British Artist video of the year – Touch
At last year’s awards, Little Mix won their first Brit for their single Shout Out to My Ex before completing a sold-out world tour and continuing to dominate the UK charts with top ten singles Touch, Power feat. Stormzy and No More Sad Songs. This year they’ve earned themselves another British Single nomination for Touch with the song also nominated for British Artist video of the year. The video was directed by Paris Goebel and Director X with the latter known for shooting striking and distinctive videos for top artists such as Drake, Rihanna and Justin Bieber as well as directing other Little Mix music videos Hair and Black Magic. The video oozes girl power with the group dancing through a pastel coloured maze, capturing the energy shown in their live performances. This July you can see the group perform on their huge UK stadium tour. Tickets are on sale from here.
Paloma Faith
Nominated for:
- British female solo artist
Four studio albums later and Paloma Faiths’ distinctive voice and style still prove to be timeless. The release of fourth album The Architect debuted in the UK’s official albums chart at number 1 and features a range of acclaimed co-writers, producers and collaborators including: Sia, John Legend, Jesse Shatkin, TMS, Starsmith, Tobias Jesso Jr., Eg White, Rag’n’Bone Man, actor Samuel L. Jackson and journalist and activist Owen Jones. The Architect has also helped her earn a Brit nomination for British Female Solo Artist – an accolade with the singer has previously won in 2014. Paloma embarks on a UK Arena Tour this March.Tickets are on sale here.
Rag n Bone Man
Nominated for:
- British male solo artist
- British single – Human
- British album of the year – Human
Rag N Bone Mans’ unique, baritone voice had him tipped for an exciting 2017 after winning British breakthrough artist and being named critics’ choice at last year’s Brits. His debut album ‘Human’ sold an astonishing 650,000 copies in the UK in under 5 months with the single ‘Human’ becoming Number 1 on iTunes in over 40 countries, selling nearly 4 million copies in the process. Last summer saw him play sold out shows across Europe and the UK as well as festival performances at Glastonbury, Bestival and TRNSMT. Rag N Bone Man is headlining a Sounds of the City show at Manchester’s Castlefield Bowl this June. Tickets on sale here.
Taylor Swift
Nominated for:
- British artist video of the year – ZAYN and Taylor Swift – I Don’t Wanna Live Forever
- International female solo artist
Needing no introduction, Taylor Swift has established herself as one of the biggest artists on the planet, winning a constant stream of awards for her honest and personal song writing. The songstress’ latest album, Reputation was named the biggest selling album in the US in 2017, subsequently earning her a Brit nomination for International Female Artist. Her collaboration with Ex- One Directioner Zayn Malik for the single I Don’t Wanna Live Forever, was written with Taylor’s regular producer Jack Antonoff and featured on the soundtrack for Fifty Shades Darker. The combination was an instant hit, with the video amassing over 430 million views on YouTube and earning them a Brit nomination for best artist video of the year. Taylor will be playing two stadium shows this June in Manchester and London. Grab tickets here.
The Killers
Nominated for:
- International group
The release of their lead single The Man from latest album Wonderful Wonderful saw The Killers play a surprise set at Glastonbury Festival in June and sell out their Hyde Park British Summer Time show in record time. The beloved rock band conquered the European festival circuit with a crowd pleasing set of hits, before heading back stateside to headline Lollapalooza in Chicago. The American Rock band have recently completed an incredible sold out UK Arena Tour, truly deserving their Brits nomination for International Group. The band are playing two stadium shows in Bolton and Swansea this June. Tickets on sale from here.
Be sure to vote for your favourites HERE!