BRIT Award Nominations Revealed!!

The day we've all been waiting for has finally arrived!! The BRIT Award nominations have been revealed!! There aren't too many surprises here really, but there is certainly a lot of stiff competition. British Album is really a tough category...though I'm pulling for Duffy or the Ting Tings..but Coldplay and Radiohead certainly have a shot. I would love for Girls Aloud to win British Group, but I hear that's unlikely as basically any of the others are Brit favorites. I think the toughest competition comes in the British Female and International Female categories. I really couldn't predict who will win. The Adele/Duffy choice proves quite difficult in the end with both of them so deserving of the award. I wouldn't think MIA would get the statue (she has a better chance at the Grammys actually) as she hasn't had as much recognition in the UK despite how phenomenal both her albums have been. International female should in no way go to Beyonce for her latest effort, but the other 4 all have a good shot. It comes down to whether sales (Katy Perry/Pink) or freshness and indie cred (Gabriella Cilmi/Santogold) win out in the end. Kanye should absolutely win International Male, but British single will certainly be a surprise that only time can reveal!

MASTERCARD BRITISH ALBUM
Coldplay: Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends
Duffy: Rockferry
Elbow: The Seldom Seen Kid
Radiohead: In Rainbows
The Ting Tings: We Started Nothing

BRITISH GROUP
Coldplay
Elbow
Girls Aloud
Radiohead
Take That

BRITISH MALE SOLO ARTIST
Ian Brown
James Morrison
Paul Weller
The Streets
Will Young

BRITISH FEMALE SOLO ARTIST
Adele
Beth Rowley
Duffy
Estelle
M.I.A.

INTERNATIONAL ALBUM
AC/DC: Black ice
Fleet Foxes: Fleet Foxes
The Killers: Day & Age
Kings of Leon: Only By the Night
MGMT: Oracular Spectacular

INTERNATIONAL GROUP
AC/DC
Fleet Foxes
The Killers
Kings of Leon
MGMT

INTERNATIONAL MALE SOLO ARTIST
Beck
Neil Diamond
Jay-Z
Kanye West
Seasick Steve

INTERNATIONAL FEMALE SOLO ARTIST
Beyoncé
Gabriella Cilmi
Katy Perry
Pink
Santogold

BRITISH SINGLE
Adele: Chasing Pavements
Alexandra Burke: Hallelujah
Coldplay: Viva La Vida
Dizzee Rascal Featuring Calvin Harris and Chrome: Dance Wiv Me
Duffy: Mercy
Estelle ft Kanye West: American Boy
Girls Aloud: The Promise
Leona Lewis: Better in Time
Scouting for Girls: Heartbeat
The X Factor Finalists: Hero

BRITISH BREAKTHROUGH ACT
Adele
Duffy
The Last Shadow Puppets
Scouting for Girls
The Ting Tings

BRITISH LIVE ACT
Coldplay
Elbow
Iron Maiden
Scouting for Girls
The Verve

CRITICS’ CHOICE AWARD
Florence and the Machine
RUNNERS' UP
Little Boots
White Lies

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO MUSIC
Pet Shop Boys

Top of the Pops Christmas Special!

For Christmas day Top of the Pops in The UK aired a special of performances from song of the year's top artists. When I saw the list of performers expected, I literally would have sold my first born (not that I want one, but you get the idea) in order to attend. Unfortunately, I was across the pond in the US anyway. Here are some of the best performances from the show:

Girls Aloud-"The Promise"

I just NEVER get sick of this song! Good performance once again, but Nicola still looks nightmarish!

Pussycat Dolls-"I Hate This Part"

The only international artists on the show represent! I love this track, so I hope it will continue its upward movement on the charts worldwide. Nicole is a bit tired in her dance routine, but Melody's backing harmonies are a great touch.

Leona Lewis-"Run"

Not many performers actually add to a song in live performance but Leona always seems to. This performance of this epic song is absolutely stunning!

Alexandra Burke-"Hallelujah"

A fitting track for Christmas day, especially since it currently sits at #1 on the singles charts in the UK and is the fastest selling download of the year. The performance is a bit hoarse, and certainly does not top Leona in technique.

Mamma Mia Cast

This soundtrack exploded on the charts this year both in the US and UK and this performance is super fun. "Mamma Mia" always reminds me of clubbing in London as they seem to often play it. The Brady Bunch Movie-esque outfits in "Dancing Queen" are great!

Coldplay-"Viva La Vida"

This song was absolutely massive in 2008 and this performance really shows why!

Royal Variety 2008 Live Performances!

Here's an amazing performance by Leona Lewis of "Run," her Snow Patrol cover. I get CHILLS every time she goes into the first "Light Up, Light Up" bit. Enjoy her and another one of her ball gowns!



The Pussycat Dolls also performed a Medley of their " greatest hits" and would-be hits. Pretty standard for them with an amazing dance-break around 3:30.