Press

Editors, ADELE, Bat For Lashes & The Hoosiers To Play Live At
BRITs Nominations Launch Party.

Kelly Osbourne and Reggie Yates To Host

MasterCard Secure Deal With BRIT Awards For The Tenth Year

The BPI, today unveiled the artists performing live at The BRIT Awards Nominations Launch Party which will be hosted by Kelly Osbourne and Reggie Yates on Monday 14 January at London’s legendary Roundhouse in Camden.

Editors, Bat For Lashes, The Hoosiers and newcomer ADELE will all be live on stage at this year’s eagerly awaited BRITs Nominations Launch Party. These live performances and reaction from newly nominated artists plus all the gossip and comment from backstage can be seen on ITV2 at 9:00pm the same day.

Winner of the newly created Critics Choice Award, ADELE, will be performing tracks from her highly anticipated debut album 19. Also taking to the stage are Birmingham’s finest indie band, Editors, whose second album An End Has A Start shot to number one in June 2007. British singer/songwriter Bat For Lashes will be playing tracks from her critically acclaimed debut Fur and Gold. Finally, The Hoosiers will be bringing their own brand of “Odd Pop” to the BRITs Nominations Launch with tracks from their chart-topping album The Trick to Life.

Following in the footsteps of this year’s hosts for the main show Sharon and Ozzy, daughter Kelly Osbourne will present the fantastic BRITs Nominations Launch Party alongside Radio 1 Chart Show’s Reggie Yates. The duo will announce the highly anticipated nominations to a star studded audience of critics, tastemakers and artists, which will include The Kaiser Chiefs and Mark Ronson.

Ged Doherty, Chairman of The BRITs Committee commented, “The BRITs launch has become an event in itself, brimming with anticipation and excitement.”

BPI Chief Executive Geoff Taylor added, “We’ve seen a lot of new British musical talent emerge in the last year, and four of our best new homegrown acts will perform at the BRITs launch – all of whom reflect the huge diversity in new British music.

“The Osbournes are making a mark on this year’s show, and with performances from four great new homegrown artists the BRITs launch should be great entertainment for both those at the Roundhouse and the people watching at home.”

The nominations for eleven awards will be announced at the BRITs Nominations Launch Party, which sees for a second year running the finalists for the British Single Award being voted for by listeners of UK Commercial Radio station listeners and The Sun Bizarre column readers, the winner of the British Live Act being decided by listeners of Radio 2 and the British Breakthrough Act voted for by Radio 1 listeners. The BRITs Academy will be voting for the remaining eight awards.

The BRIT Awards 2008 with MasterCard categories are:

• MasterCard British Album – Voted for by The Academy
• British Male Solo Artist – Voted for by The Academy
• British Female Solo Artist – Voted for by The Academy
• British Group – Voted for by The Academy
• British Single – Voted for by UK Commercial Radio station listeners and The Sun Bizarre column readers.
• British Breakthrough Act – Top five selected by The Academy. Winner chosen by BBC Radio 1 listeners.
• British Live Act – Top five selected by Live Music Forum and a specialist panel. Winner chosen by BBC Radio 2 listeners.
• International Male Solo Artist – Voted for by The Academy
• International Female Solo Artist – Voted for by The Academy
• International Group – Voted for by The Academy
• International Album – Voted for by The Academy
• Critic’ Choice – ADELE – Voted for by a team of experts made up of music critics from national newspapers, major music magazines and music websites as well as heads of music at major radio and TV stations.
• The Outstanding Contribution to Music Award – Sir Paul McCartney – gift of the BPI Council

The Academy is made up of more than 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 despite the popular misconception that “BRIT Bosses” dish out the awards, only 12% of the voting academy are drawn from major record companies.

Paul McCartney will be receiving the prestigious Outstanding Contribution to Music Award at the BRIT Awards 2008 with MasterCard, ADELE will also collect the Critic’s Choice Award, a brand new award for 2008, at the show on 20th February, 2008 at London’s Earls Court broadcast live on ITV1.

The BPI also confirmed MasterCard’s long-term commitment to The BRIT Awards with a new three-year deal. The BRIT Awards 2008 with MasterCard will see the partnership between the BPI and MasterCard enter its tenth consecutive year.

MasterCard is set to be the sole sponsor of The BRIT Awards 2008 with MasterCard and the prestigious ‘British Album Award’ for an impressive tenth year running. MasterCard’s long-term partnership with The BRITs reflects their commitment to ‘Priceless’ events. The longevity of this sole sponsor commitment is unrivalled by any other UK music awards.

Rita Broe, VP Head of Marketing UK and Northern Europe, MasterCard, explains the reasons behind the global brand’s plans: “MasterCard is proud to continue its association with the UK’s premier music event. The fact this association is entering its tenth year is testament to the strong relationship between MasterCard and the UK music industry. With consumer spending on recorded music in the UK in excess of £1.7 billion, our ongoing sponsorship of The BRIT Awards continues to build our brand and business in the UK.”

The BRITs Nominations Launch Party will take place on 14th January, 2008 and will be broadcast on ITV2 at 9:00pm the same night.

The brand new BRITs website will launch on 14th January 2008.