Ellie Goulding win Critics Choice

Ellie Goulding wins the BRITs 2010 Critics’ Choice Award

22 year old Hereford born Ellie Goulding will perform at the BRITs Nomination launch at The IndigO2 on Monday 18 January which will be broadcast on ITV2 before collecting her award live on the Earls Court stage at The BRIT Awards 2010 with MasterCard on Tuesday 16 February.

The ‘Critics’ Choice’ Award is for new British acts that the critics are tipping to break through in 2010. The shortlist and winner has been chosen by a team of experts made up of the music editors of national newspapers, key music and lifestyle magazines and music websites plus the heads of music at major radio and music TV stations. The ‘Critics’ Choice’ Award was open to artists signed to a label who are set to release their debut albums in 2010.

Previous recipients of the award have included 2009 winner Florence and the Machine whose debut album ‘Lungs’, released in July, reached number 2 in the UK Album charts.  2008’s Critics’ Choice winner ADELE was lauded by critics on both sides of the Atlantic landing her two Grammy Awards for Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for the single ‘Chasing Pavements’.

Chairman of the BRITs Committee Ged Doherty said, ‘We are delighted that with the introduction of this award, we have been able to give a platform to brand new British artists in the past two years to reach a wider audience.  We have no doubt that Ellie Goulding will follow in the successful footsteps of Adele and Florence and the Machine, we wish her all the best.’

On her BRIT win Ellie Goulding said, ‘When I found out, I had a little squeal, I had a little cry, and I had a little fall down! I didn't believe it at first, but now that it’s sunk in I am delighted and utterly honoured to have been given this award.  I couldn't be more happy and thankful to everyone right now.”

Ellie Goulding premiered her debut single ‘Under The Sheets’ on BBC Radio 1 in September.  Her ‘electro-folk-acoustic-pop’ sound was an instant hit and the single has since had massive airplay culminating in a performance on ‘Later… with Jools Holland’ on 29 October. Having toured the UK supporting Little Boots and working with Frankmusik, Ellie Goulding is currently recording her debut album due to be released in March 2010 through Polydor Records with her next single ‘Starry-eyed’ released on 22 February.

In 2009 synth-indie band Delphic toured the UK music festival circuit with praised performances at T In the Park, Reading and Leeds Festivals, Creamfields and Bestival.  The Manchester four-piece made their first TV debut on ‘Later.. with Jools Holland’ on 10 November and will release their debut album ‘Acolyte’ in January 2010.

Marina and the Diamonds is the recording name for Welsh singer/songwriter Marina Diamandis. Having played BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend as well as Glastonbury and Reading and Leeds Festival, Marina and the Diamonds first major single, ‘Mowgli’s Road’ was released in November.  Her debut album ‘The Family Jewels’ will be released in February 2010.

BRITs voting for The Academy starts today with a dedicated ‘BRITs Voting Day’ taking place on Friday 11 December where reminders will be sent to ensure that all voters are activated.  Voting closes, 3pm on Wednesday 16 December with the results being unveiled at the BRITs Nominations launch on Monday 18 January 2010 at The Indig02.