The BRITs British Group category for 2016 has to be one of the widest open of the lists this year, featuring five very different but worthy bands, any of which could easily find themselves up on the podium.
Hot favourites Coldplay have already walked off with the trophy on three past occasions and must be strongly fancied to pick up a fourth best group gong.
The quartet released their seventh studio album A Head Full of Dreams in December last year which unusually for the band, saw them playing chart bridesmaid to Adele’s 25 which had locked itself into pole position around the world.
Among the album’s producers are Norwegian super-team Stargate, famous for their work with pop acts ranging from S Club 7 and Blue, to the likes of Rihanna and Katy Perry in more recent times.
While the album received mixed reviews, there is no denying Coldplay’s long standing appeal and ability to fill stadiums worldwide, which has steadily grown ever since their 2000 debut set Parachutes.
Of course, also surely a big contender in the best group category are electro-pop threesome Years & Years, who won the BBC Sound of 2015 poll last year and have more than delivered on that promise.
Prior to their triumph, the band had been picking up momentum with highlights including a quirky video for their 2014 single Real, starring British actor Ben Whishaw of Spectre and London Spy fame.
Led by charismatic front man Olly Alexander, the trio had also made chart appearances with Desire as well as Sunlight, a collaboration with DJ and producer The Magician.
However, it was after the BBC award that the band’s career completely exploded, with chart-topping single King, one of the biggest tunes of 2015 and still residing in the Top 100 after 47 weeks.
A banger with an anthemic chorus, it paved the way nicely for debut album Communion which stormed to top of the chart and delivered further hits with Shine and Eyes Shut.
However, uber boy band One Direction should never be underestimated, despite losing a member when Zayn Malik made a sudden exit from the group last year.
1D’s fifth studio offering Made in the A.M. was the second fastest selling album in the UK last year and has seen them continuing to win critics over with a move towards a slightly more mature pop sound.
While the album has spawned hits Drag Me Down, Perfect and History, the foursome are set to disappear on a hiatus, so this might be their last BRITs appearance for some time.
Meanwhile, Foals are the only act making their debut in the category thanks to their fourth studio album What Went Down, which reached number three on the UK albums chart.
While the Oxford band’s previous 2013 disc Holy Fire had more of an indie disco feel about it, as displayed on the supremely funky My Number, their latest album is more of a stadium rock flavoured set.
Although the group have been consistently successful and lauded by critics since 2008, could this be the year in which their efforts are recognised by the BRITs establishment?
Finally, making their fourth appearance in the category are Britpop godfathers Blur who won the title in 1995 over Oasis, only for the situation to be reversed the following year.
Last year saw Blur release their first studio album in twelve years with The Magic Whip, which not only topped the charts but won them glowing reviews.
If the BRITs decide to honour a much-loved British band that have enjoyed longevity, yet continue to morph and take on new influences, it could be Damon Albarn and company who are standing on the stage come February 24.
Hot favourites Coldplay have already walked off with the trophy on three past occasions and must be strongly fancied to pick up a fourth best group gong.
The quartet released their seventh studio album A Head Full of Dreams in December last year which unusually for the band, saw them playing chart bridesmaid to Adele’s 25 which had locked itself into pole position around the world.
Among the album’s producers are Norwegian super-team Stargate, famous for their work with pop acts ranging from S Club 7 and Blue, to the likes of Rihanna and Katy Perry in more recent times.
While the album received mixed reviews, there is no denying Coldplay’s long standing appeal and ability to fill stadiums worldwide, which has steadily grown ever since their 2000 debut set Parachutes.
Of course, also surely a big contender in the best group category are electro-pop threesome Years & Years, who won the BBC Sound of 2015 poll last year and have more than delivered on that promise.
Prior to their triumph, the band had been picking up momentum with highlights including a quirky video for their 2014 single Real, starring British actor Ben Whishaw of Spectre and London Spy fame.
Led by charismatic front man Olly Alexander, the trio had also made chart appearances with Desire as well as Sunlight, a collaboration with DJ and producer The Magician.
However, it was after the BBC award that the band’s career completely exploded, with chart-topping single King, one of the biggest tunes of 2015 and still residing in the Top 100 after 47 weeks.
A banger with an anthemic chorus, it paved the way nicely for debut album Communion which stormed to top of the chart and delivered further hits with Shine and Eyes Shut.
However, uber boy band One Direction should never be underestimated, despite losing a member when Zayn Malik made a sudden exit from the group last year.
1D’s fifth studio offering Made in the A.M. was the second fastest selling album in the UK last year and has seen them continuing to win critics over with a move towards a slightly more mature pop sound.
While the album has spawned hits Drag Me Down, Perfect and History, the foursome are set to disappear on a hiatus, so this might be their last BRITs appearance for some time.
Meanwhile, Foals are the only act making their debut in the category thanks to their fourth studio album What Went Down, which reached number three on the UK albums chart.
While the Oxford band’s previous 2013 disc Holy Fire had more of an indie disco feel about it, as displayed on the supremely funky My Number, their latest album is more of a stadium rock flavoured set.
Although the group have been consistently successful and lauded by critics since 2008, could this be the year in which their efforts are recognised by the BRITs establishment?
Finally, making their fourth appearance in the category are Britpop godfathers Blur who won the title in 1995 over Oasis, only for the situation to be reversed the following year.
Last year saw Blur release their first studio album in twelve years with The Magic Whip, which not only topped the charts but won them glowing reviews.
If the BRITs decide to honour a much-loved British band that have enjoyed longevity, yet continue to morph and take on new influences, it could be Damon Albarn and company who are standing on the stage come February 24.
