award music

At a party in London's Park Lane Hotel, the names of the candidates for the main British music award, the Brit Awards, were announced. BORIS BARABANOV reports.

The Brit Awards ceremony, which will be held on February 9 at Earls Court, will be the 25th anniversary. Hence the unprecedented excitement. The musical year turned out to be rich in terms of new bright names. Music fans who choose to cast their vote on the website or otherwise face a difficult choice. The list of candidates is traditionally divided into a section of domestic British idols and international stars.

Scots Franz Ferdinand appear in five nominations (Kommersant wrote about them on October 30): “Best British Group”, “Best British Album”, “British Breakthrough”, “Best British Rock Group” and “Best British Live Band”. This is the best result. Muse has one less nomination. Natasha Bedingfield, Keane, Joss Stone, Jamilia, The Streets, Snow Patrol, Kasabian, Scissor Sisters and Maroon 5 have three mentions each in the lists of contenders for the Brit Awards. Almost all are new names. Perhaps the main thing on the list of nominees is the abundance of debutants. Almost everything that was interesting in English music in 2004 was done by newcomers; The vast majority of artists mentioned among the contenders for the award released their first album during the reporting period, rarely their second. The young and early ones simply crushed the recognized leaders.

The only category in which experienced gentlemen prevail is called International Male Solo Artist. Here, mega-rapper Eminem competes with Brian Wilson (Beach Boys), who released his sensational 2004 album Smile, and Tom Waits, who rarely appears in any context associated with the music establishment. But even in this category, the ubiquitous American hip-hoppers Usher and Kaney West are hot on their heels. But the Brit Awards still won’t be complete without nods to the classics. Especially for the anniversary of the award, five songs have been identified, from which the best in a quarter of a century will be chosen. Here they are: "Wuthering Heights" by Joy Division, "Songs about Jane" by Kate Bush, "We Are The Champions" by Queen, "Angels" by Robbie Williams, "Leave Right Now" by Will Young. The prize for outstanding contribution to music will be presented to Sir Bob Geldof, who released his last sane independent recording in 1992 and has since been of interest largely for the charitable projects he initiated.

In honor of the quarter-century anniversary, it was decided to lengthen the Brit Awards ceremony by 30 minutes compared to the usual timing due to special concert performances. The groups Scissor Sisters, Keane, Franz Ferdinand, Green Day, Joss Stone, duets of Snoop Dogg and Pharell Williams, Lemar and Jamilia, Natasha Bedingfield and her brother Daniel will appear on stage, it is expected that Sir Bob Geldof and Bono from U2 will also present a joint performance . The concert will once again be hosted by controversial radio host Chris Evans.

Franz Ferdinand - Britain's favorites