Music

Predictions for the BRIT Awards 2015

It’s that time of year again, folks! So as the music world prepares to descend on London’s The O2 tomorrow, music blogger Alistar Shutler makes his predictions for the 2015 BRIT Awards.

With last week’s Grammy’s managing to satisfy all expectations – a Kanye-shaped stage invasion, Taylor Swift dancing in her seat and 83 awards given out – I’m looking to the BRITs to inject a bit of unexpected fun into our annual awards calendar.

Here are the moments I think will make the 2015 BRIT Awards one to remember…

Performances
If you thought the nominations provided a who’s who of talent, then take a look at who will be performing. Madonna and Taylor Swift have both been confirmed to play live with rumours of Rihanna making a surprise appearance gathering serious pace. Sam Smith and Ed Sheeran, the golden boys of British pop, will also be performing alongside Royal Blood, George Ezra and Take That. That line-up alone should have you eagerly anticipating this year’s BRIT Awards.

Presenters
Ant & Dec are British institutions. Simple. From their Byker Grove and SM:TV Live days, to I’m A Celebrity and a career in pop music, the cheeky double act have earned their reputation as the very best at what they do. Replacing James Corden, who has presented the past four years, this is a calculated shake-up that’s expected to give the show a new lease of life. Let’s get ready to rhumble, indeed.

Ant & Dec - Let's Get Ready to Rhumble (Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway)

Speeches
Last year Alex Turner caused confusion and controversy with his rock-baiting speech, before dropping the microphone in a fit of almost rockstar excess. “That rock ‘n’ roll, eh? That rock ‘n’ roll, it just won’t go away. It might hibernate from time to time and sink back into the swamp. But it’s always waiting there, just around the corner, ready to make its way back through the sludge, and smash through the glass ceiling, looking better than ever,” the Arctic Monkeys frontman declared.

Arctic Monkeys win MasterCard Album of the Year | BRITs Acceptance Speeches

Now, with Royal Blood celebrating a No.1 album, huge support slot and a massive headline tour of their own, as well as a small matter of four nominations just one year later, it seems the Arctic Monkeys’ man was onto something.

Ed Sheeran v Sam Smith
It’s the clash that no one wanted to see (I certainly didn’t). The lovely Ed Sheeran up against the delightful Sam Smith, how can we choose?! Both have had incredible success at home and in the States, but this years’ BRIT Awards sees the pair go head-to-head in four categories, including Best British Album and Best Male Solo Artist. Gulp.

Ed Sheeran - Thinking Out Loud (Official Music Video)

International awards
The BRITs aren’t just about British music, as they act as a platform to celebrate incredible music from across the globe. Pharrell Williams is almost guaranteed a victory in the Best International Male category after the phenomenal success of Happy, though Hozier presents stiff competition.

Meanwhile, the International Group category pits 5 Seconds of Summer against Foo Fighters, The War On Drugs, The Black Keys and First Aid Kid. The nominees look pretty well balanced at a glance, but I wouldn’t ignore the power of 5SOS. Bending the rules of pop-rock with their undeniably infectious sound, surely this foursome deserve a nod from the BRITs?

5 Seconds of Summer - She Looks So Perfect

The Best International Female category proves that girls are killing it in the world of pop but does leave us with a Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Lana Del Ray, Sia and St. Vincent face-off for the Tracy Emin-designed statue. As brilliant as Queen B is, this is Taylor Swift’s year and she’s tackling it with style.

Public votes
Both the Best British Video and British Breakthrough Act categories are voted for by the public, hurrah. I’m gunning for Charli XCX to bag Best British Video, as Boom Clap helped her to score her first ever BRIT nomination. marks the first ever BRIT nomination for Charli XCX, with Boom Clap scoring her a spot in the Best British Video. One Direction’s passionate fanbase will mean they’re hot on her heels, though, while the chart-bothering success of Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars’ Uptown Funk shouldn’t be ruled out either.

Charli XCX - Boom Clap (The Fault In Our Stars Soundtrack) [Official Video]

The glitz and the gossip
We know James Bay has already won the Critics’ Choice Award but the big question remains, what hat will he wear to the ceremony? Meanwhile, a homage to Geri Halliwell’s iconic Union Jack dress, worn at the 1997 BRIT Awards, could be in store, as Charli XCX has made no secret about being a huge Spice Girls fan. True to the ceremony’s nature, everyone will be doing their best to stand out from the crowd, which usually sees the lines of fashion pushed to the very edge. And then some.

Whatever happens, The 35th BRIT Awards are guaranteed to be an evening of excitement, entertainment and the unexpected (I hope).

What are your 2015 BRIT Awards predictions? Let us know at @TicketmasterUK using #tmBlog.