The Press Release Resource

• Tweet

• Tweet

The BRIT Awards 2010 with MasterCard hosted by Peter Kay takes place on 16 February at London’s Earls Court Arena and will be televised live on ITV1.

Taking BRITs-30 centre stage at Earls Court to perform live to millions of ITV viewers will be KASABIAN, LADY GAGA and JLS.

In addition the outstanding DIZZEE RASCAL will be teaming up with FLORENCE & THE MACHINE for an explosive collaboration that looks set to take its place in the BRITs 30 year history. The tune Dizzee & Florence have mashed up especially for the show is titled ‘You Got The Dirtee Love’.

Jay-Z, Cheryl Cole and Lily Allen were also announced as performers for the The BRIT Awards 2010 at London’s IndigO2, as the nominations were unveiled at the BRITs-30 live launch event hosted by Fearne Cotton.

Ged Doherty, Chairman of The BRITs Committee said, “It’s an exciting line-up.  These acts are young, vibrant and hugely talented. Each brings something different to the BRITs party. With Robbie Williams already confirmed and more surprises in store, BRITs-30 will be the music event of the year.”

Reflecting that diversity the line up is led by US sensation, the uncompromising and unpredictable LADY GAGA plus pop chart toppers JLS and UK rockers KASABIAN bringing their highly acclaimed new sound to the BRITs stage. One of the most anticipated moments is sure to be the collaboration between grime-master DIZZEE RASCAL and last years Critics’ Choice winner FLORENCE WELCH (aka Florence & The Machine).  Add to this amazing line up 2010’s ‘Outstanding Contribution To Music’ winner ROBBIE WILLIAMS, who will close the show with his usual panache, and the BRITs-30 show piece is shaping up to be one of the most exciting nights yet.

Having conquered the US, Lady GaGa stormed the UK producing 2009’s biggest selling single of the year – ‘Poker Face’.  The single along with ‘Just Dance’ were number one hits around the world earning Lady GaGa numerous coveted Grammy nominations and securing her debut album ‘The Fame’ at the top spot in four countries. Capping a breathtaking year, Lady GaGa will make her solo BRITs appearance on Tuesday 16 February following last year’s featured appearance with OCA recipients, the Pet Shop Boys.

With three studio albums under their belt, Kasabian are one of the most thrilling bands of the decade.  The Leicestershire four-piece released their track ‘Fire’ taken from their third album ‘West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum’ in June 2009 and became the highest new entry reaching the number 3 on the UK top 40.  The album itself went on to achieve critical acclaim and was named ‘Best Album of 2009’ by many music critics.  Having headlined Glastonbury’s Pyramid stage for the second time last summer, Kasabian are sure to shake the foundations of Earls Court.

Dizzee Rascal’s debut album won him the 2003 Mercury Prize Award and established him as a key player in the urban music scene.  Credited for the revival of grime music in the UK, Dizzee Rascal’s fourth and current album ‘Tongue N Cheek’ has been gaining five star reviews across the board and has been certified gold in the UK with tracks “Dance Wiv Me”, “Bonkers” and “Holiday” all reaching the number one position. The BRITs 2009 Critics Choice Award Winner Florence & the Machine’s debut album, ‘Lungs’, stormed the charts in the UK and Europe. Florence & the Machine released a succession of hit singles from the album including “Rabbit Hearts (Raise It Up)” and ‘You Got The Love” both reaching top 20 in the UK.

X Factor runners up JLS have seen their career rocket since leaving the show.  Their first single ‘Beat Again’ went straight in at number one in the UK charts and became the fastest selling debut of 2009.  The band had equal success with their second single ‘Everybody In Love’ which reached the top of the charts while their self-titled debut album – JLS sold over a million copies. Embarking on their first ever tour at the end of this month, JLS will make a welcomed appearance at The BRIT Awards 2010.
So expect a rollercoaster ride at what promises to be the most spectacular BRIT Awards yet as millions of TV viewers and over five thousand music fans partying in Earls Court witness one of the most exhilarating nights in the UK Music calendar.

***

LADY GAGA, FLORENCE & THE MACHINE, LILY ALLEN AND PIXIE LOTT LEAD THE WAY AT THE BRIT AWARDS 2010 WITH MASTERCARD

JLS, Kasabian, La Roux, Dizzee Rascal, Jay-Z & Paolo Nutini also recognised by the BRITs Academy as the UK’s biggest music awards ceremony celebrates 30 years

Celebrating its 30th birthday – The BRIT Awards 2010 with MasterCard will showcase the sheer depth and diversity of British and International music talent from the past year’s big releases. The big night out in the British music calendar will take place at London’s Earls Court Arena on Tuesday 16 February and screened live to millions on ITV1.

Featured in the nominations list is an eclectic and impressive range of artists who have enjoyed success both in the UK and around the world in 2009. Their achievements have been recognised by the 1000 strong BRITs Academy. The nominations in twelve categories were announced at a media packed launch party, hosted by Radio 1’s Fearne Cotton, at London’s indigO2.

Leading the way with three BRIT nominations each are a quartet of pops finest ladies, UK’s Florence & the Machine, Lily Allen, Pixie Lott and that all American phenomenon Lady GaGa. They will be going head to head in a battle of the females. Having been crowned the most successful selling artist of 2009, with her single ‘Poker Face,’ Lady GaGa makes her BRIT Awards nominations debut with a well-deserved three nominations.  Short listed for International Female Solo Artist, International Breakthrough Act and International Album for ‘The Fame’, Lady GaGa will look to be one of the most coveted International acts at The BRITs for many years.

In the British corner, The BRITs 2009 Critics’ Choice Award winner Florence & the Machine will look to win big with three nominations for British Female Solo Artist, British Breakthrough Act and the sought after MasterCard British Album.  Her debut album ‘Lungs’ stormed the charts reaching the number two spot in the UK and 13 in Europe. Florence & the Machine released a succession of hit singles from the album including ‘Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)’ and ‘You Got The Love’ both reaching Top 20 in the UK.

Coming out on top with her critically acclaimed second album ‘It’s Not Me, It’s You’ Lily Allen takes three nominations, going up against Florence & the Machine for British Female Solo Artist, MasterCard British Album and British Single of the Year for ‘The Fear’. UK newcomer Pixie Lott has stormed the charts with her debut single ‘Mama Do’ which goes up against La Roux, JLS, Lily Allen and Cheryl Cole amongst others for British Single of the Year. Pixie is also nominated for British Female Solo Artist and British Breakthrough Act.

The Anglo American battle will be heavily fought between Dizzee Rascal and American heavy-weight Jay-Z who received double nominations.  Dizzee Rascal, heralded as bringing Grime back to the forefront of UK music – paving the way for artists such as N-Dubz and Tynchy Stryder, goes for a win in the categories for British Male Solo Artist and MasterCard British Album.  Standing in Dizzee’s way in the British Male Solo Artist category are Calvin Harris, Mika, Robbie Williams and Scotland’s finest, Paolo Nutini who is a two-time nominee. Paolo is also nominated for his superb ‘Sunny Side Up’ album in the MasterCard British Album category.

Rockers Kasabian made a well-deserved and critically acclaimed return to the forefront of the British music scene in 09. They are recognised by The BRITs Academy with two nominations in British Group and MasterCard British Album for ‘West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum’. BRIT newcomers JLS are hoping for victory with three nods for British Group, British Breakthrough Act and British Single of the Year.

Topping this off as a female dominated year critically acclaimed singer La Roux joins the ladies with two nominations for British Breakthrough Act and British Single of the Year for ‘In for the Kill’. Leading the international categories Empire of the Sun and Animal Collective both receive two nods for International Breakthrough Act and International Album.

Ged Doherty, Chairman of The BRITs Committee commented, “The BRITs goes into its 30th year with as exciting and diverse a list of nominees as any in its history, and one that reflects that music in all its guises is in good health in 2010 despite  the many challenges the industry still faces.   As it should be the competition in many of the categories is going to be intense, and will make for a very exciting night.”

To celebrate The BRIT Awards 30th anniversary, The BRITs 2010 will see two retrospective categories introduced to pay homage to the biggest selling album successes and most memorable live performances of the past 30 years.

The ‘BRITs Memorable Performance of 30 Years’ Award will see a shortlist of stunning  live performances from BRITs history showcased on a special ‘BRITs Hits 30’ television special broadcast by ITV1 on Saturday 23 January hosted by Mel B. Once aired, viewers will be able to vote online through the itv.com/brits and gm.tv websites with the winner being announced at the main show on 16 February at Earls Court.

Also to Celebrate its 30th Anniversary, The BRIT Awards 2010 will include the ‘British Album of 30 Years’ – where the top 10 best selling albums, that have also won British Album categories over the past three decades, will be voted by Radio 2 and 6 Music listeners

The BRIT Awards 2010 with MasterCard will also celebrate The BRITs Producers’ Award. The nominees, Jim Abbiss, Paul Epworth, Ethan Johns and Steve Lillywhite have been shortlisted by members of the Music Producers Guild and the presentation will be made in advance of the BRITs ceremony at the MPG Awards at London’s Café de Paris on February 11. Last year’s recipient was Bernard Butler.

As previously announced, the culmination of The BRIT Awards 2010 with MasterCard ceremony will see Robbie Williams presented with the highly coveted Outstanding Contribution to Music Award. Robbie will close the 2010 show with a stunning live performance.

***

Notes to editors

The BRITs – Voting Academy **

The Academy is made up of 1,000 specially invited members from across the breadth of the UK music industry: music critics, music writers, online & student press, major & independent record companies, retailers, music TV and radio producers & presenters, music publishers, artist managers, live concert promoters, NUS representatives and DJs. Less than a quarter of the academy’s membership is drawn from the recording industry and only 12% of the voting academy is drawn from major record companies.

All academy votes** are collected online, and are counted and verified by official scrutinisers ERS (Electoral Reform Services).

BRIT – British Record Industry Trust

The BRIT (British Record Industry Trust) Awards is organised by the BPI – the British recorded music industry association – which has over 400 record company members large and small who between them account for in excess of 90% of UK recorded music sales.

The BRIT Awards 2010 with MasterCard will be the 30th BRIT Awards, which has raised more than £10.8 million for The BRIT Trust charity, whose main beneficiaries are the BRIT School for Performing Arts & Technology
(http://www.brit.croydon.sch.uk) the only free performing arts school in the UK, Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy (http://www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk) and other selected charities which match the mission criteria.

Over 8,000 young people have been given free education and the opportunity to enter the BRIT School since its opening in 1991 and more than 10,000 children and adults have been helped by the extraordinary music therapy work carried out by Nordoff-Robbins.

The BRITs Committee 2010,
The steering group that puts the show together, is made up of: Ged Doherty Chairman (Sony Music), Jason Iley (Universal Music), Miles Leonard (EMI), Max Lousada (Warners), Mike Smith (Columbia Records), Ben Beardsworth (XL Recordings), Geoff Taylor (BPI), Julian Wall (BPI), Maggie Crowe (BRIT Awards Ltd) and Helen Terry (BRITs TV).

The BRIT Awards 2010 with MasterCard will be produced for the sixth consecutive year by Helen Terry for BRITs TV.

The BRIT Awards 2010 with MasterCard hosted by Peter Kay takes place on 16 February at London’s Earls Court Arena and will be televised live on ITV1.

About MasterCard Europe MasterCard Europe is the entity responsible for managing MasterCard Worldwide’s business in Europe, for Europe. With headquarters in Waterloo, Belgium, MasterCard Europe works in 51 European countries, stretching as far afield as the eastern border of Russia. Through its network of local offices, MasterCard Europe can understand and meet the diverse needs of customers in the very different types of markets throughout Europe, enabling people to do business in their own way in their own language.

About MasterCard Worldwide MasterCard Worldwide advances global commerce by providing a critical economic link among financial institutions, businesses, cardholders and merchants worldwide. As a franchisor, processor and advisor, MasterCard develops and markets payment solutions, processes approximately 21 billion transactions each year, and provides industry-leading analysis and consulting services to financial-institution customers and merchants. Powered by the MasterCard Worldwide Network and through its family of brands, including MasterCard®, Maestro®and Cirrus®, MasterCard serves consumers and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. For more information go to www.mastercard.com.

For further press information, journalists please contact:

Print/Online – LD Communications nadine.bibi@ldcommunications.co.uk

TV/Radio – Scream Promotions claire@screampromotions.co.uk or tony@screampromotions.co.uk