Rejoice, Source readers, because awards season is HERE! It all kicked off last week with the BAFTA shortlist announcement, closely followed by the noms for our absolute favourite ceremony of the year – the BRITs.
While the ceremony isn’t quite as rock ‘n’ roll as it was back in the day, with Spice Girl Mel C challenging Liam Gallagher to a fight and Jarvis Cocker pulling a moonie mid-performance from Jacko, the BRITs mark our favourite date in Britain’s musical calendar. And with the Arctic Monkeys, 1D, Katy Perry and Ellie Goulding all confirmed to play the big event on 19 February, and rumours of Queen Bey coming along too, this year is sure to be a memorable one.
But who’s going to walk away from it all with the coveted shiny statues? We whipped out our crystal ball (or mulled it over with the help of a packet of Digestives) to predict who’s winning what at this year’s BRITs…
British Male Solo Artist
John Newman
Jake Bugg
Tom Odell
David Bowie
James Blake
A toughie, mainly because David Bowie’s on the list and his comeback this year was amazing. Likewise, Jake Bugg, the world’s least impressed pop star, has wowed with his second album Shangri La. But last year’s Critics Choice Tom Odell’s spine-tingling-ly awesome debut album has wowed musos, fans and industry bigwigs alike – he’s got to be onto a winner.
British Female Solo Artist
Ellie Goulding
Jessie J
Laura Marling
Laura Mvula
Birdy
It’s been a golden year for Ellie Goulding – from her collab with sueprstar DJ Calvin Harris to her Children in Need single, Ellie’s an unstoppable force and we reckon she’ll come out on top in this category.
British Group
Disclosure
One Direction
Rudimental
Arctic Monkeys
Bastille
Sorry One Direction, we know you’re huge and everyone fancies you, but you’re no Alex Turner, are you? And for that reason, it’s got to be the Arctic Monkeys – the very definition of amazing British indie rock. And they’re incredible live too.
British Breakthrough Act
Disclosure
Bastille
Laura Mvula
London Grammar
Tom Odell
London Grammar’s hauntingly beautiful tunes have been the soundtrack to our lives for months now, while Bastille’s Of the Night has been one of the most inspired covers of the year – but for us, this is all about Disclosure. Not many acts can release tune after tune after tune and seemingly do no wrong, but these guys have done exactly that.
British Single
Bastille – ‘Pompeii’
Calvin Harris Feat. Ellie Goulding – ‘I Need Your Love’
Disclosure Feat. AlunaGeorge – ‘White Noise’
Ellie Goulding – ‘Burn’
John Newman – ‘Love Me Again’
Naughty Boy Feat. Sam Smith – ‘La La La’
Olly Murs – ‘Dear Darlin’
One Direction – ‘One Way Or Another (Teenage Kicks)’
Passenger – ‘Let Her Go’
Rudimental Feat. Ella Eyre – ‘Waiting All Night’
John Newman, you are a vocal powerhouse and you MUST pick up this gong. If you don’t, we’re staging a protest.
Mastercard British Album Of The Year
Rudimental – ‘Home’
Disclosure – ‘Settle’
Arctic Monkeys – ‘AM’
Bastille – ‘Bad Blood’
David Bowie – ‘The Next Day’
Possibly the toughest category at this year’s BRITs. Despite Bastille’s Bad Blood being OUR album of the year, we reckon the judges will sway towards Rudimental – and deservedly so. Home is a beaut from start to finish.
International Male Solo Artist
Justin Timberlake
Bruno Mars
Eminem
Drake
John Grant
Unrivaled hottie Justin Timberlake gets our vote – a truly triumphant return to form after a lengthy musical career break. Just try listening to Mirrors without swaying from side to side. It’s impossible. The mark of a banger of a track.
International Female Solo Artist
Katy Perry
Lady Gaga
Pink
Lorde
Janelle Monae
Our heart says Katy Perry (because Roar is the best song to sing in the shower ever) but our head says Lorde – this newcomer’s debut single Royals has been everywhere since its release, and album Pure Heroine is hugely impressive – and she’s only 17.
International Group
Daft Punk
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Haim
Kings Of Leon
Arcade Fire
2013 was the year where Daft Punk brought disco back – and they did so with aplomb. However, we’d like to see the French duo pipped at the post by the coolest girl band to hit the scene in eons – the fabulous Haim. The edgy vocals, catchy hooks and completely unique sound of debut Days Are Gone make these Californian sisters our favourite for the award.
Watch the BRIT Awards, 19 February on ITV
