The Biggest Night in British Music

The nominees for the Brits 2025 were announced yesterday (23rd January 2025). With numerous categories including 'Song of the Year', 'Album of the Year', 'Best Group' and 'Best New Artist. 

The winners will be announced during the live show on Saturday 1st March at The O2 arena, broadcast exclusively on ITV1 and ITVX and hosted by Jack Whitehall. The award this year has been designed by multi-disciplinary artist Gabriel Moses.

After Raye sweeping up last year, this year seems like it each award could go to a number of people. With some huge names and upcoming stars being nominated for awards. 

It has been a huge 12 months for British music, with The Beatles releasing new music, Brat Summers and even the Oasis reunion. Not to mention Sam Fender's meteoric rise, The Last Dinner Party and their brilliant debut album, English Teacher breaking through and Fontaines DC dropping one of the best albums in recent memory. 

There has been quite a bit of crossover this year, with the Beyond the Grooves Awards and the Brits. 

Best New Artist

Five artists have been nominated for this: English Teacher, Ezra Collective, The Last Dinner Party, Myles Smith Rachel, Chinouriri.

English Teacher have had a stellar year scooping the 2024 'Mercury Prize' and releasing one of the best debut albums of the year with 'This Must Be Texas. The Last Dinner Party also released a brilliant debut album in 2024, with the operatic, cinematic, pop rock masterpiece 'Prelude to Ecstasy'. It was also a year that saw some controversy come the bands way. With certain male audience members feeling that the bands security were being sexist. However, the band have proved themselves as one of the brightest voices in British music. This isn't the only award that they are nominated for.

Artist of the Year

10 artists have been nominated for this award across a variety of genres. Beabadoobee, Central Cee, Charli xcx, Dua Lipa, Fred again., .Jamie xx, Michael Kiwanuka, Nia Archives, Rachel Chinouriri and Sam Fender.

Charli xcx and Sam Fender are the standouts for me. Having both won a Beyond the Grooves award in 2024. Charli for me had the best year out of any artist on this list, releasing one of the decades most important pop albums in 'Brat'. 

Sam Fender has reinforced himself as one of the best guitar acts in recent memory. With the upcoming release of his third album 'People Watching' and his recent singles. He is proving that he is much more than a flash in the pan indie act. His songs have staying power. If this record is half as good as his last then fans are in for something special.

Group of the Year

Five nominees again for this award. Bring Me The Horizon, Coldplay, The Cure, Ezra Collective, The Last Dinner Party

The Last Dinner Party as mentioned earlier released one of the best debut albums of the year, and are more than deserving of a place on the list. The Cure released 'Songs of a Lost World' the bands first new music in 16 years and it was everything fans expected it to be and more. Dealing with darkness and death in the way that only The Cure can. For many it would be an unexpected nomination for a Brit. However for those of us who have heard the album. It's easy to see why they have been nominated.

International Group of the Year

Five nominees for this one and in my eyes one clear winner. Amyl and the Sniffers, Confidence Man, Fontaines D.C., Future & Metro Boomin, Linkin Park

Fontaines DC, released an absolute masterpiece of a record last year. 'Romance' is an amalgamation of everything that makes Fontaines great. Intricately crafted and considered. This is the sound of the best band in the world. In my opinion this award should be theres. 'Romance' is arguably the best album of the last 12 months. Not one song sounds the same, they are all unique and absolutely brilliant.

Alternative Rock Act

Five nominees for this one Beabadoobee, The Cure, Ezra Collective, The Last Dinner Party, Sam Fender

I can't help but feel that theirs a little repetition in the awards this year. 'The Last Dinner Party being nominated for four. Charli XCX nominated for five. 

In this category in paritcular. I feel like more artists could have been mentioned. Courteeners released some of their best work in years. Blossoms released 'Gary' the bands first work on there own record label SK2 records. Wunderhorse reinforced themselves as Britain's next great guitar band with 'Midas'

The Cure, The Last Dinner Party, Sam Fender all deserve a place on the list. Beabadoobee is huge in her own right and Ezra Collective are creating a very unique sound. I just feel like there's a couple of huge records, and acts that should have been celebrated

Song of the Year

I'm not going to comment on every song that has been nominated. Although I do think it is worth mentioning that 'Now and Then' the last song by The Beatles released in 2023 has received a nomination for Song of the Year.

With all four members coming together for one final time. Lennon and McCartney’s harmonizing vocals are back, along with Harrison’s signature guitar lines and Ringo’s unmistakable drumming.The song, titled "Now & Then," has a long and intricate history. It was written by Lennon in the 1970s after the band's breakup, as a simple piano demo with his vocals. 
In the 1990s, McCartney, Harrison, and Starr attempted to record the track, alongside "Free as a Bird" and "Real Love," which Yoko Ono had shared with them. Although "Free as a Bird" and "Real Love" were released in 1995 as part of The Beatles’ "Anthology" series, "Now & Then" was abandoned because they couldn’t separate Lennon’s vocals from the piano.

It's quite a moment that in 2025 The Beatles are still being nominated for Brit Awards. The final chapter in the Fab Four's story isn't over just yet.

I think the lists this year in all categories are great. Some huge names and up and coming artists and bands. This years Brits will be a good one.

Thank you for reading x

Jack