Emeli Sandé scoops four Brit Award nominations

By BRIAN FERGUSON
Published on 10/01/2013 19:00

SCOTTISH songstress Emeli Sandé has attracted more Brit Award nominations than any other artist, capping an incredible breakthrough over the past 12 months

• Emeli Sandé lands four Brit Award nominations, more than any other act

• Sandé was UK’s biggest selling artist of 2012

The Aberdeenshire soul singer has landed four - one more than indie darlings Alt-J and folk favourites Mumford & Sons.

Sande was the UK’s biggest selling artist last year, and performed at both the opening and closing ceremonies of the London Olympics.

Just 12 months ago she was named the rising star of the British music scene by picking up the “critics’ award” at the Brits. She was also named best solo artist at the Q Awards in October.

Sande also had the honour of appearing at open-air concerts to welcome the Olympic torch around Scotland, including at Edinburgh Castle, George Square, in Glasgow, and Dundee’s Baxter Park.

She was little known 18 months and only released her debut single in August 2011. Her debut album went straight in at number one last February.

Sande will be up against both Alt-J, the Mercury Prize winners, and Mumford & Sons in the British album of the year category, along with Paloma Faith and Plan B.

Her rivals for best British female artist include the late Amy Winehouse, Bat For Lashes, Jessie Ware and Paloma Faith.

Sande has been nominated twice in the best single category - once for her own hit Next to Me and the other for Beneath Your Beautiful, which she appeared on with Labrinth.

She will also be performing at next month’s ceremony, along with Muse, Robbie Williams, Mumford & Sons, Ben Howard and One Direction.

“It’s a really good feeling,” she said of the Brits nominations. “It feels great, a bit scary, because you never know, you might not win anything.

“It feels great to have this acknowledgement and recognition. And to come back here after winning the critics’ choice and to be nominated is really, really cool.”

Other Scottish hopes rest with Dumfries-born Calvin Harris, who is up for best British male against Ben Howard, Olly Murs, Richard Hawley and Plan B.

The Rolling Stones, who made a dramatic combeack onto the music scene last year, are in the running for best British live act, along with Coldplay, Mumford & Sons, Muse and The Vaccines.

The last time Mick Jagger and co were nominated at the Brits was in 1996 and they were actually nominated in the very first Brit Awards in 1977.

The best British group will be contested by Alt-J, Mumford & Sons, Muse, One Direction and The xx.

Sande’s rivals in the best single category include Adele for her title track for the Bond film Skyfall, Robbie Williams’ Candy, and Coldplay and Rihanna, with their hit Princess China.

Alt-J will be competing in the British breakthrough act category with Ben Howard, Jake Bugg, Jessie Ware and Rita Ora.

In the international categories, Alabama Shakes, The Black Keys, Fun, The Killers and The Script are shortlisted for best group while best artist nominees include Bruce Springsteen, Jack White, Alicia Keys and Rihanna.

Brit Awards: full list of awards and nominees

British Breakthrough act

Top 5 selected by Voting Academy. Winner identified by public vote promoted by brits.co.uk and BBC Radio 1.

Alt-J

Ben Howard

Jake Bugg

Jessie Ware

Rita Ora

British Female solo artist

Amy Winehouse

Bat for Lashes

Emeli Sandé

Jessie Ware

Paloma Faith

British group

Alt-J

Mumford & Sons

Muse

One Direction

The xx

British live act

Coldplay

Mumford & Sons

Muse

The Rolling Stones

The Vaccines

British Male solo artist

Ben Howard

Calvin Harris

Olly Murs

Richard Hawley

Plan B

British producer of the Year; in association with The MPG Awards

Damon Albarn

Jake Gosling

Paul Epworth

British single

Adele - Skyfall

Alex Clare - Too Close

Coldplay & Rihanna - Princess of China

DJ Fresh Ft Rita Ora - Hot Right Now

Emeli Sandé - Next To Me

Florence & The Machine - Spectrum

James Arthur - Impossible

Jessie J - Domino

Labrinth Ft Emeli Sandé - Beneath Your Beautiful

Olly Murs Ft Flo Rida - Troublemaker

Rita Ora Ft Tinie Tempah - R.I.P.

Rizzle Kicks - Mama Do The Hump

Robbie Williams - Candy

Rudimental Ft John Newman - Feel The Love

Stooshe - Black Heart

Critics’ choice - In association with War Child

Tom Odell

Aluna George

Laura Mvula

International Female solo artist

Alicia Keys

Cat Power

Lana Del Rey

Rihanna

Taylor Swift

International group

Alabama Shakes

The Black Keys

The Killers

Fun

The Script

International male solo artist

Bruce Springsteen

Frank Ocean

Gotye

Jack White

Michael Buble

Mastercard British album of the Year

Supported by The Sun Bizarre Column.

Alt-J - An Awesome Wave

Emeli Sandé - Our Version Of Events

Mumford & Sons - Babel

Paloma Faith - Fall To Grace

Plan B - Ill Manors

Brits global success award

The winner of this Award will be announced at the Show on Wednesday 20th February.

Special Recognition award

War Child