This year’s British Group category is hugely varied – there’s an indie powerhouse, a global boy band phenomenon and three hot new acts all in the running. So which way will the judges go?
Since emerging back in 2005 with their introductory belter I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor, Sheffield sons Arctic Monkeys have consistently enjoyed both critical and commercial success. Tonight could definitely be theirs, with fifth studio album AM still fresh in the judges' mind.
The set - which topped the UK and international album charts on its release last autumn - proved that even in the current challenging climate for guitar groups, Alex Turner’s band are still leaders of the pack.
Could the quartet repeat their 2007 BRITs triumph tonight and scoop the awards for both British Group and British Album? The bookies certainly think so.
It may not be a dead cert though. Uber-boy band and general world conquering force One Direction should not be underestimated. Their massive success just keeps on building and the past 12 months have been yet another whirlwind for the quintet.
The Official Charts Company reported that 1D’s third studio album Midnight Memories was the UK’s biggest and fastest selling long player of 2013.
Meanwhile, other highlights included the release of their movie One Direction: This Is Us and the Take Me Home world tour.
The super-catchy hits continued too with Best Song Ever, Kiss You and Blondie/Undertones mash-up One Way or Another (Teenage Kicks) all making it big across the globe.
Since emerging back in 2005 with their introductory belter I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor, Sheffield sons Arctic Monkeys have consistently enjoyed both critical and commercial success. Tonight could definitely be theirs, with fifth studio album AM still fresh in the judges' mind.
The set - which topped the UK and international album charts on its release last autumn - proved that even in the current challenging climate for guitar groups, Alex Turner’s band are still leaders of the pack.
Could the quartet repeat their 2007 BRITs triumph tonight and scoop the awards for both British Group and British Album? The bookies certainly think so.
It may not be a dead cert though. Uber-boy band and general world conquering force One Direction should not be underestimated. Their massive success just keeps on building and the past 12 months have been yet another whirlwind for the quintet.
The Official Charts Company reported that 1D’s third studio album Midnight Memories was the UK’s biggest and fastest selling long player of 2013.
Meanwhile, other highlights included the release of their movie One Direction: This Is Us and the Take Me Home world tour.
The super-catchy hits continued too with Best Song Ever, Kiss You and Blondie/Undertones mash-up One Way or Another (Teenage Kicks) all making it big across the globe.
Elsewhere, dance music was massive in 2013 and leading the British charge were Surrey siblings Guy and Howard Lawrence, aka Disclosure, with their album Settle.
The debut offering featured pairings with some of the UK’s brightest new stars - AlunaGeorge appeared on White Noise while Latch introduced BRITs Critics’ Choice Award and BBC Sound of 2014 winner Sam Smith.
Another highlight, the big tune F For You with Howard on vocals, was since reworked with R&B superstar Mary J. Blige.
Collaboration has also contributed to the massive success of Hackney foursome Rudimental, who hit the top spot last year with their debut album Home.
The set features rising stars John Newman and Ella Eyre respectively on euphoric chart-toppers Feel The Love and Waiting All Night.
However, with a seemingly lower profile than their competitors, the Londoners seem like outsiders to lift the trophy tonight.
Last but by no means least are Bastille, the group built around quiffed frontman Dan Smith.
Their fusion of indie, pop and electro makes them tricky to pigeon hole - which could be why they have resonated so much.
Bastille’s single Pompeii was one of the biggest songs of the year while the success of their debut album Bad Blood proved they were more than one-hit wonders.
Read the full list of nominees here
The debut offering featured pairings with some of the UK’s brightest new stars - AlunaGeorge appeared on White Noise while Latch introduced BRITs Critics’ Choice Award and BBC Sound of 2014 winner Sam Smith.
Another highlight, the big tune F For You with Howard on vocals, was since reworked with R&B superstar Mary J. Blige.
Collaboration has also contributed to the massive success of Hackney foursome Rudimental, who hit the top spot last year with their debut album Home.
The set features rising stars John Newman and Ella Eyre respectively on euphoric chart-toppers Feel The Love and Waiting All Night.
However, with a seemingly lower profile than their competitors, the Londoners seem like outsiders to lift the trophy tonight.
Last but by no means least are Bastille, the group built around quiffed frontman Dan Smith.
Their fusion of indie, pop and electro makes them tricky to pigeon hole - which could be why they have resonated so much.
Bastille’s single Pompeii was one of the biggest songs of the year while the success of their debut album Bad Blood proved they were more than one-hit wonders.
Read the full list of nominees here
