George The Poet, James Bay, Years & Years To Contest BRIT Award
Universal artists have swept the board in the newly-announced shortlist of three artists for the 2015 Critics’ Choice BRIT Award. Virgin’s James Bay, Island’s George The Poet and Polydor’s Years & Years will contest the prestigious title, which has previously been won at an early stage of their careers by Adele, Florence and the Machine, Ellie Goulding, Jessie J, Emeli Sandé, Tom Odell and Sam Smith.
Artists are eligible for the award, which is chosen by a panel of music business insiders, if they are due to release their debut album during 2015. The three nominees came from a long list of more than 100 artists. The Critics’ Choice Award will, as always, be announced well ahead of the ceremony, which takes place on February 25, with the winner set to be revealed next Thursday (December 4).
“I still can’t believe it,” commented singer-songwriter James Bay. “As much as I hoped, being nominated for the BRITs Critics’ Choice Award is not something I ever imagined would actually happen. What a huge honour.”
“I feel privileged to have been shortlisted for the BRITs Critics’ Choice Award,” said spoken word artist George The Poet. “I always dreamed of reaching people and this nomination shows me that I’m on track.”
Electro-pop trio Years & Years observed: “Having grown up watching the BRITs we’re unbelievably honoured and to be honest quite overwhelmed to be included in the Critics’ Choice Award. We’re so grateful to be making music and having this sort of recognition is crazy and ridiculous and nuts in a really good way. Thanks BRITs!“