www.brits.co.uk
ECLECTIC LINE-UP OF TALENT TO PERFORM AT THE 2004 BRIT AWARDS with MASTERCARD AS 2004 NOMINATIONS ARE ANNOUNCED.
THE DARKNESS, BLACKEYED PEAS, BUSTED, DIDO, MUSE, 50 CENT and DURAN DURAN head up list of performances
The most anticipated music event in the UK calendar is almost upon us, and its set to be a rocking year celebrating the best in Pop, Rock, Dance and Urban Music. Unveiled today the full list of Nominations (see attached) and the first batch of artists confirmed to perform live at The 2004 BRIT Awards with MasterCard at Earls Court, London. The show will be broadcast as live on ITV1 on 17 February 2004 in the UK and seen in over 30 countries world wide.
Lined up to take to the stage this year are the most talked about British rock band of 2003 THE DARKNESS. In 2003 The Darkness, who almost single-handedly revived the spirit of British rock n' roll glamour, enjoyed an incredibly successful year claiming the Number One spot with their debut single I Believe In A Thing Called Love and their debut platinum album Permission to Land.
Next up, performing for the first time at a major awards ceremony, are BUSTED who are out to shock and surprise all their fans with a very unusual performance more details to follow. Matt Willis, James Bourne and Charlie Simpson have hit the top of the charts five times to date, including two number ones with You Said No and Crashed The Wedding. Their second album A Present For Everyone shot straight in at number two when it was released in November 2003 and is this week still at No. 8.
DIDO, who in 2002 picked up the coveted Best British Album and also the Best British Female award has now established herself as a global Brit megastar, having sold a staggering eight million copies of her 2003 album, Life For Rent. Released in September, the album this week sits firmly at number one in the UK. Her return to the stage at the Earls Court ceremony will be Didos first major live TV appearance of 2004.
Flying the flag for the new breed of British rock bands we have MUSE. 2003 was a huge year for Muse clocking up a number one album Absolution, two hit singles, a sell out Europe wide arena tour, ten press front covers and critical acclaim from all of the UKs rock critics. You can be sure that The 2004 BRITS with MasterCard will bring them further into the limelight and establish them as one of the best British bands of the decade.
Rap superstar and Eminem protege 50 CENT adds to the star studded line-up with whats set to be another blockbuster performance. Having sold more records than any other American artist in 2003, 50 Cent makes his BRIT Awards debut to showcase his remarkable success and delight the growing hordes of rap/urban fans throughout the world.
Another of this year's chart successes, the LA hip-hop collective BLACK EYED PEAS, renowned for their incredible live shows, will be making their debut appearance at The 2004 BRIT Awards. Their current album Elephunk has stormed the charts selling over 2 million copies worldwide and included the No.1 smash Where Is The Love and the top 3 hit Shut Up.
As previously announced, DURAN DURAN will be honoured by the BPI with The 2004 BRIT Awards Outstanding Contribution to Music Award. The band have sold over 70 million records during a career spanning over 25 years, and made their first UK performance in 13 years with the original line up of Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, John Taylor, Andy Taylor and Roger Taylor, at the London Forum in October 2003.
Today's nominations launch will be broadcast this evening on ITV2 at 9pm. In the lead-up to the main event fans will be able to tune into the 'BRITS Are Coming' pre-shows broadcast on ITV1 on 24 & 31 January and 7 & 14 February (see TV listings for transmission times). On the night itself viewers can see the excitement build with 'The BRIT Awards - The Stars Arrive', direct from backstage at the BRITS, broadcast exclusively on ITV2, and get an insider's view of the afterparty with 'The BRIT Awards - Party On' broadcast exclusively on ITV2 after the event.
The BRITS official website is the only place to go for up to the minute BRITS news and gossip. You can access loads of information on BRIT awards gone by and enter incredible competitions with prizes money just cant buy. Whats more, there are exclusive interviews with the worlds biggest music stars. www.brits.co.uk will also take you backstage at the BRITS launch, rehearsals and show day. Nowhere else can bring you all the gossip on all the stars.
The 2004 BRITS magazine is bigger and better than ever, and boasts exclusive interviews with esteemed artists including Christina Aguilera, Will Young, The Darkness, Busted, Sean Paul, plus The 2004 Outstanding Contribution To Music winners, Duran Duran. You can also find a full list of nominees, a report on last years show, and a chance to win tickets to The BRIT Awards 2004. Over 540,000 copies of the magazine will be distributed free to the public via record retail outlets nationwide in early February. If you would like to receive a copy of the magazine, please contact LD Communications.
For the fourth year running The BRIT Awards will be CarbonNeutral® with Future Forests. The carbon dioxide emissions created from putting on the show, and by the millions of viewers watching on TV, will be neutralised by climate friendly projects.
The 2004 BRIT Awards with MasterCard will be held at Earls Court on Tuesday 17 February and broadcast as live on ITV1.
