BRIT music awards to host 4,000-strong audience in UK pilot event

Some 4,000 people will attend the BRIT Awards next month, in what organisers of Britain's pop music honours said would be the first major indoor music event with a live audience as the country emerges from COVID-19 lockdown.

The ceremony, to be held on May 11 at London's O2 arena, will form part of the UK government’s Events Research Programme, looking at whether major events can take place in closed environments without social distancing.

This means audience members, of which 2,500 will be key workers who will be gifted tickets, will not have to wear face masks inside the arena but will have to provide proof of a negative lateral flow test result to enter the venue.

They will also have to take a test after the ceremony and provide contact details as part of the country's COVID test and trace system.

"This has been a long tough year for everyone and I'm delighted the night will honour the key worker heroes who have cared for us so well during that time and continue to do so," singer Dua Lipa, who is nominated for four awards, said in a statement.

"They are quite simply an inspiration. The BRIT Awards are always special and this will truly make it a night to remember."

Lipa is among several singers who will perform at the event, the first live music show at the O2 in more than a year.

Like elsewhere, the COVID-19 pandemic shut down music events with live audiences in Britain. Under Prime Minister Boris Johnson's phased roadmap out of lockdown, entertainment venues can re-open their doors next month.

"Not only will we be celebrating the brilliant music and artists that have helped us through the pandemic, but we hope it will provide a path for the return of live music that fans and artists have so sorely missed," said Geoff Taylor, chief executive of the British Phonographic Industry and the BRITs.

"We're buzzing about the show and working closely with government, the O2 and all our partners to ensure all safety measures and guidelines are adhered to."

-reuters-

Anne-Marie, Dua Lipa and George Ezra among BRIT Awards nominees

LONDON - Singers Anne-Marie, Dua Lipa, Jess Glynne and George Ezra are among the nominees for next month's BRIT Awards, Britain's annual pop music honors, in a list dominated by young talent.

Anne-Marie is in the running for 4 prizes - British Female Solo Artist, Mastercard British Album of the Year for "Speak Your Mind", British Single and British Artist Video of the Year for "2002" at the British Record Industry Trust (BRIT) awards, to be held on Feb. 20 in London.

Lipa, who triumphed with 2 wins at last year's event, is nominated in the British Single category for "IDGAF" as well as her "One Kiss" collaboration with DJ Calvin Harris. The 2 songs are also in the running for British Artist Video of the Year.

Glynne's name also featured in 4 categories including British Female Solo Artist and British Single for "I'll Be There". Chart-topper "These Days" by Rudimental featuring Glynne, singer Dan Caplen and rapper Macklemore is also nominated for British Single and British Artist Video of the Year.

The other contenders for British Female Solo Artist include Florence + The Machine, Lily Allen and Jorja Smith, last year's Critics' Choice winner. Smith is also nominated for her album "Lost & Found".

Summer hit "Shotgun" singer George Ezra got three nods: for British Male Solo Artist, for British Single and for his album "Staying at Tamara's". He will compete against Sam Smith, Craig David, Aphex Twin and Giggs for British Male Solo Artist.

The album category, the biggest prize on the night, also includes Florence + The Machine's "High as Hope" and The 1975's "A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships".

The latter are nominated for British Group alongside Arctic Monkeys, Gorillaz, Little Mix and Years & Years.

"If you look at the list, it's really fresh, really young, really diverse, really female," Geoff Taylor, chief executive of the BRIT Awards and the British Phonographic Industry, told Reuters.

"(It's) a really great list that reflects the year of music and shows just how much fresh talent is coming through." (Reporting By Marie-Louise Gumuchian and Emily Roe; Editing by Hugh Lawson)

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Bowie, One Direction up for Brit awards

LONDON - Veteran rocker David Bowie was nominated Thursday for two Brit awards alongside youngsters like One Direction, thirty years after he first won a prize at Britain's equivalent of the Grammys.

Bowie, who turned 67 on Wednesday, is in the running for best album with "The Next Day" -- his first record in a decade -- as well as best male British artist.

British-Irish pop phenomenon One Direction are also up for two prizes at the ceremony on February 19 -- best British group and best single, for "One Way Or Another (Teenage Kicks)".

They are also strong contenders for a third prize -- the global success award, which is based on international sales and which they won last year.

But it was newcomers who led the nominations, with British rockers Bastille and electro duo Disclosure competing for four awards each.

Bowie, who delighted fans last year with his surprise comeback, is at least 40 years older than any of his rivals in the male artist category -- Jake Bugg, James Blake, John Newman and Tom Odell. He won the same prize in 1984.

In the international categories, Lady Gaga, Eminem, Justin Timberlake, Katy Perry, Daft Punk and Pink are all up for prizes.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com