TOP BRITISH MUSICIANS

I have a self-revealing confession to make: Nowadays, I listen to more classical music than modern music.  I know, I know—there’s nothing wrong with that.  But still…I’m left feeling a little unhip and out of the loop.  I blame my musical tastes on my classical-piano-playing mother and on an old, scratchy, vinyl recording of Tchaikovsky’s "1812 Overture" that mesmerized my young self with its bombastic cannon fire.  I mean, what’s a kid to do?  But I’m digressing…

Because my musical preferences make me feel a tad old, I’ve recently developed a keen interest in pop music.  I don’t necessarily listen to it a lot, as I did when I was a teenager, but I do like knowing what’s going on.  And being an Anglophile, I’m especially interested in modern British music.  If you, too, need a Brit Pop Music 101 course, then today’s blog should help you!

In the UK, pop music gets recognized at the BRIT Awards, which are still months away, but I’m already reading scuttlebutt about them. The BRIT Awards are the equivalent of the US’s Grammy Awards.  (One difference exists: In the UK, Classic BRIT Awards give recognition to classical music at a separate ceremony; in the US, the Grammy Awards gives recognition to all musical categories, including classical.) 

The 2013 BRIT Awards will take place Tuesday, February 19 at the O2 Arena in London, and the word is out that the British actor/comedian James Corden has signed on to host the ceremony.  Also known is that James Morrison and Professor Green are at least two of the nominees for British Male Solo Artist, and Jesse J and Adele are both nominated for British Female Solo Artist. 

Two other major awards exist for British pop musicians.  One is the MTV Music Video Awards, which airs on the MTV Channel--this year, live from L.A.’s Staples Center on September 6 at 8:00 p.m., EST.

The other major award is the MTV Europe Music Awards, which airs on MTV Europe, this year live from Frankfurt, Germany, on November 11.  At these awards, British artists can compete in general categories (such as Best Female/Best Male/Best Song, etc.) or in a country-specific category (such as “Best UK & Ireland Act.”)

Below are lists of winner from last year’s BRIT Award and the MTV Europe Music Award’s “Best UK & Ireland Act”--and a selection of videos featuring some of these top pop Brits! 


2012 BRIT AWARD WINNERS

British Male Solo Artist
WINNER:  Ed Sheeran
NOMINEES:

• James Blake

• James Morrison

• Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds

• Professor Green

British Female Solo Artist
WINNER: Adele
NOMINEES:

• Florence & the Machine
  
• Jessie J
  

• Kate Bush
  

• Laura Marling
  

British Breakthrough Act
WINNER: Ed Sheeran
NOMINEES:

• Anna Calvi

• Emeli Sandé

• Jessie J

• The Vaccines

British Group
WINNER: Coldplay
NOMINEES:

• Arctic Monkeys

• Chase & Status

• Elbow

• Kasabian

MTV EUROPE MUSIC AWARDS

Best UK & Ireland Act 
WINNER: Adele
NOMINEES:

• Coldplay

• Florence and the Machine

• Jessie J

• Kasabian
  

---

<-James Morrison













 

<-Professor Green

<- Jessie J 

<- Adele 

<- Arctic Monkeys















 

<- Coldplay 

<- Ed Sheeran 

<- Rita Ora

<- Noel Gallangher's
High Flying Birds

<- Emeli Sande

<- Kasabian

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