The Brits 2016: The Nominees

Announced on Thursday 14 January, the Brit Awards nominations for 2016 have simultaneously fulfilled expectations and thrown up some surprises. Adele, as anticipated, leads the charge of British artists with one nomination, including the prestigious Mastercard British Album of the Year, after her latest album 25 broke multiple records in selling over two and a half million copies during its first six weeks. Last year’s Brits’ Critics’ Choice Award winner James Bay also returns with aplomb, receiving four nominations including British Male Solo Artist and British Album of the Year. Jess Glynne, who equalled Cheryl Fernandez-Versini’s record of five number one UK singles in a year in 2015, is also up for gongs including British Breakthrough Act and British Single, but faces stiff competition in her nomination for British Female Solo Artist.

Other notable nominations include former British Female Solo Artist winner Amy Winehouse’s second posthumous nomination for that same award, following the release of the soundtrack to Asif Kapadia’s Grammy-nominated documentary Amy. Up for Best International Group are Californian outfit Eagles of Death Metal, who are recognised for their dignity and admirable spirit in the face of the tragic events at the Bataclan in Paris that shook the world on 13^th November. In that category, they will face iconic Irish rockers U2, who invited the band to play with them in Paris in an emotional performance just one month later.

Two artists featured in Coggles’ albums of 2015, Kendrick Lamar and Father John Misty, are acknowledged for their respective exceptional albums with nominations for International Male Solo Artist. The International Female Artist category is equally intriguing, placing creative maverick Björk up against Australian newcomer Courtney Barnett. Meanwhile, there is no room on the album shortlist for Ellie Goulding, whose third studio record Delirium was also her highest-charting and looked set to bring her Brits success.

The awards' event will take place at the 02 in London on 24^th February and will be hosted by double act Ant and Dec. A moving tribute to the late David Bowie is expected, and there will also be live performances from several nominees including Adele, Justin Bieber, James Bay, Jess Glynne, Coldplay, the Weeknd and Little Mix.

Aphex Twin

Calvin Harris

James Bay

Jamie xx

Mark Ronson

Adele

Amy Winehouse

Florence + the Machine

Jess Glynne

Laura Marling

Blur

Coldplay

Foals

One Direction

Years & Years

Catfish and the Bottlemen

James Bay

Jess Glynne

Wolf Alice

Years & Years

Adele – 25

Coldplay – A Head Full of Dreams

Florence + the Machine – How Big How Blue How Beautiful

James Bay – Chaos and the Calm

Jamie xx – In Colour

Charlie Andrew

Mark Ronson

Mike Crossey

Tom Dalgety

Adele – Hello

Calvin Harris and Disciples – How Deep Is Your Love

Ed Sheeran and Rudimental – Bloodstream

Ellie Goulding – Love Me Like You Do

James Bay – Hold Back the River

Jess Glynne – Hold My Hand

Little Mix – Bad Magic

Olly Murs ft Demi Lovato – Up

Philip George – Wish You Were Mine

Years & Years – King

Adele – Hello

Calvin Harris and Disciples – How Deep Is Your Love

Ed Sheeran – Photograph

Jessie J – Flashlight

Little Mix – Black Magic

Naughty Boy ft Beyoncé and Arrow Benjamin – Runnin’ (Lose it All)

One Direction – Drag Me Down

Sam Smith – Writing’s on the Wall

Years & Years – King

Drake

Father John Misty

Justin Bieber

Kendrick Lamar

The Weeknd

Ariana Grande

Björk

Courtney Barnett

Lana del Rey

Meghan Trainor

Alabama Shakes

Eagles of Death Metal

Major Lazer

Tame Impala

U2