Brits 2006
It’s the Brit awards again, the place where the cool and cheese of the music world collide. Hosted by comeback kid Chris Evans, this year’s awards promise to be as entertaining as ever with Madonna already being “will she or wont she attend?” superdiva and hot young things the Arctic Monkeys refusing to attend at all!
Emma Farrell checks out this year’s nominees and go misty eyed over some classic Brit moments…
Emma Farrell checks out this year’s nominees and go misty eyed over some classic Brit moments…
Nominees 2006
One man bestrides this year’s Brits like a soft-rock colossus and that man is James Blunt. Appearing in no less than FIVE categories, Blunt is beloved by the Brits, but will his insipid whining win any gongs? We shall see… Equally as popular are the Kaiser Chiefs. Though they may find it difficult to capitalise on 2005’s success, their album Employment has been mega successful and one of those rare beasts that pleases Mums and little brothers alike.
In terms of the ladies, these categories are usually pretty underwhelming but this year they are brightened up by hard-drinkin', hard-livin' Charlotte Church, reborn disco-queen Madonna and mad-as-a-bag-of-hammers Kate Bush.
The Brits take place on Wednesday 15th February at Earls Court, London but you can watch them on ITV1 from 8pm on Thursday 16th.
We take a look at this year’s nominations…
British Male Solo Artist
Antony and the Johnsons, Ian Brown, James Blunt, Robbie Williams or Will Young Who hstuff wants to win: Robbie and Will both have mass appeal, but in an ideal world the mindbogglingly strange and beautiful Antony and the Johnsons would win, though the man Blunt will probably nab it. Grr.
British Female Solo Artist
Charlotte Church, Kate Bush, Katie Melua, KT Tunstall or Natasha Bedingfield Who hcstuff wants to win: The Crazy Chick herself Charlotte Church, though could indie darling KT snatch it from her?
British Group
Coldplay, Franz Ferdinand, Gorillaz, Hard-Fi or Kaiser Chiefs Who hcstuff wants to win: anyone but the increasingly tiresome Coldplay! We do love Hard-Fi though…
MasterCard British Album
Coldplay X & Y, Gorillaz Demon Days, James Blunt Back To Bedlam, Kaiser Chiefs Employment or Kate Bush Aerial Who hcstuff wants to win: Coldplay=dull, Gorillaz=YAY! James Blunt=NO! Kaiser Chiefs=maybe…Kate Bush=Did anyone actually buy it?
British Single
Coldplay Speed Of Sound, James Blunt You’re Beautiful , Shayne Ward That’s My Goal, Sugababes Push The Button or Tony Christie ft Peter Kay (Is This The Way To) Amarillo Who hcstuff wants to win: Arctic Monkeys – Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor. It isn't on the list but it SHOULD BE. What kind of selection is that? Okay, at a push the Sugababes
British Breakthrough Act
Arctic Monkeys, James Blunt, Kaiser Chiefs, KT Tunstall or Magic Numbers Who hcstuff wants to win: Arctic Monkeys. End of.
British Urban Act
Craig David, Dizzee Rascal, Kano, Lemar or Ms Dynamite Who hcstuff wants to win:the British urban scene has been a bit quiet this year, but Kano has been a standout.
British Rock Act
Franz Ferdinand, Hard-Fi, Kaiser Chiefs, Kasabian or Oasis Who hcstuff wants to win: Hard-Fi or Kasabian (who are fantastic live with a lovely light show, according to Richard hcstuff!)
British Live Act
Coldplay, Kaiser Chiefs, Franz Ferdinand, KT Tunstall or Oasis Who hcstuff wants to win: To give them their due, Coldplay were fantastic at glastonbury and have got the anthemic stadium rock to a T. The Kaiser Chiefs rock harder though…
Pop Act
James Blunt, Katie Melua, Kelly Clarkson, Madonna or Westlife Who hcstuff wants to win: Madonna, for showing all those pop wannabes how it’s done
International Male Solo Artist
Beck, Bruce Springsteen, Jack Johnson, John Legend or Kanye West Who hcstuff wants to win: While the others have all had brilliant individual hits (John Legend’s Ordinary People is lush), surfer dude Jack Johnson must surely win something for his massively played, MOR tunes.
International Female Solo Artist
Björk, Kelly Clarkson, Madonna, Mariah Carey or Missy Elliott Who hcstuff wants to win: It really has been Madonna’s year, so we should definitely honour the old bird, but hasn’t Kelly Clarkson has done well for a Pop Idol winner? Puts Steve Brookstein to shame…
International Group
Arcade Fire, Black Eyed Peas, Green Day, U2 or White Stripes Who hcstuff wants to win: You can’t beat the White Stripes, even if Get Behind Me Satan wasn’t vintage Jack and Meg. Green Day have had a storming year though, so may prove victorious.
International Album
Arcade Fire, Green Day, Kanye West, Madonna or U2 Who hcstuff wants to win: Green Day’s American Idiot has been absolutely huge, though we would love it if Madonna’s disco-tastic Confessions on a Dancefloor won.
International Breakthrough Act
Arcade Fire, Daniel Powter, Jack Johnson, John Legend or Pussycat Dolls Who hcstuff wants to win: Arcade Fire are definitely ones to watch but might be a bit obscure for the Brits. Jack Johnson has to be a favourite but it would be hilarious if the postergirls for stripper-chic, the Pussycat Dolls, won.
I predict a riot...
By refusing to play, New kids on the block the Arctic Monkeys show that they are savvy enough to know that to make your mark on the Brits you have to cause a rumpus! We look back at our fave Brits rucks…
The ultimate Brits death match. Pulp frontman and indie God Jarvis Cocker storms the stage during Micheal Jackon’s particularly nauseating performance of Earth Song. Jarvis was arrested but released without charge. What a guy.
Chumbawumba v Two Jags (1998)
They may be a “Where are they now?” band, but Chumbawumba live on in our memory and hearts as the band that tipped a bucket of ice over Deputy PM John Prescott’s head.
Robbie v Liam (2000)
“A hundred grand of your money and a hundred grand of my money…” cawed Robbie Williams, clearly still upset that Noel had called him a “fat dancer”. Sorry Robbie, but Liam would so kick your a*se. Maybe.
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