UK: THE VERVE TOP NOMINATIONS FOR THE ANNUAL BRIT AWARDS TO BE AWARDED IN LONDON'S DOCKLAND'S ARENA

Record ID: 387436

  • Title: UK: THE VERVE TOP NOMINATIONS FOR THE ANNUAL BRIT AWARDS TO BE AWARDED IN LONDON'S DOCKLAND'S ARENA
  • Date: 12th January 1998
  • Summary: FINLEY QUAYE PERFORMING
  • Embargoed: 27th January 1998 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVA5B8NUFPZ8CFDI5HNT5NTFRMOP
  • Story Text: - British rock group The Verve have topped nominations for the annual Brit Awards in February.

    The Verve led a strong field for this year's "Brits", with four nominations plus one for production, it was revealed at London's Cafe de Paris on Monday (January 12).

    The band from the northern town of Wigan, who re-formed to cut the highly acclaimed "Urban Hymns" album last year, have been nominated as best British group, for best album, best video and best single for "Bitter Sweet Symphony".

    Radiohead, Prodigy, Oasis, Texas and All Saints were also highly nominated for the awards, with three nominations apiece, plus another for production in the cases of Prodigy and Radiohead.

    The biggest surprise from the nominations announcement was the failure of the Spice Girls to make an impact on this year's awards with only one Brit mention in the best video category. Last year they won two awards.

    The Spice Girls also failed to get a mention in the recent Grammy award nominations in the United States, even though there were 40 nominations for British acts.

    Instead, the Brits list features many new names like the holders of the number one slot this week in the British singles' chart the all-girl band, All Saints. Other new names include Shola Ama, Roni Size (Mercury Prize winner), Stereophonics and Beth Orton - a change from only a few years ago when the same acts kept re-appearing year after year.

    The host of this year's awards, Ben Elton said he found the cynicism surrounding the Brit Awards "irritating" and suggested to the critics of pop songs like the recent chart success "Barbie Girl", if they didn't like it, they weren't forced to buy it.

    Pop stalwart Sir Elton John received two nominations including best British single for "Candle In The Wind '97/Something In The Way You Look Tonight", the tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales which became the biggest selling single of all time last year.

    Robbie Williams, Shola Ama, Beth Orton and Louise turned up to hear the nominations announced in London's West End on Monday.

    Robbie Williams said his nomination for best male vocal was "fantastic".

    On hearing of her nomination for best female artist for the second year running, Louise said: "I'm in great company with the other females that I'm up against ... I think it's just about going along to the awards and if you're nominated it's an honour, if you win it's a great bonus." Shola Ama said she was grateful to have been nominated and that she had had a very successful year.

    Reggae artist Finley Quaye, nominated in best newcomer category, played at the nomination ceremony.

    The lineup of acts performing on the night of the Brits is yet to be finalised though Scottish group Texas have confirmed they will play at the awards on Monday February 9 - the only one of the five best British group nominations available to do so.

    Oasis and Radiohead are on tour, the Prodigy refuse to play at award ceremonies, and The Verve are playing a charity in London that night. There is some speculation of a live video link-up.

    Fleetwood Mac, who gain the outstanding contribution award, will play the finale at the star-studded ceremony at London Arena, Docklands.

    The 1970's super-group recently reformed for a North American concert tour to mark the twentieth anniversary of Fleetwood Mac's multi-platinum "Rumours" album.

    Tubthumping anarchists Chumbawamba will also perform, as will Quaye in collaboration with Fun Lovin' Criminals.

    Other acts are being kept secret until nearer the ceremony, hosted for the second year by comedian Ben Elton and televised on ITV on Tuesday February 10.

    The full nominations are: Best British newcomer (to be chosen by Radio 1 listeners): All Saints, Shola Ama, Embrace, Olive, Beth Orton, Finley Quaye, Conner Reeves, Roni Size and Reprazent, Stereophonics and Travis.

    Best British male solo artist: Gary Barlow, Elton John, Finley Quaye, Paul Weller and Robbie Williams.

    Best British female solo artist: Shola Ama, Michelle Gayle, Louise, Beth Orton and Lisa Stansfield.

    Best British dance act: Brand New Heavies, Chemical Brothers, Eternal, Jamiroquai and Prodigy.

    Best British group: Oasis, Prodigy, Radiohead, Texas and The Verve.

    Best British single (chosen by local commercial radio listeners): All Saints, Never Ever; Blur, Song 2; Chumbawamba, Tubthumping; Eternal featuring Bebe Winans, I Wanna Be The Only One; Elton John, Something About The Way/Candle in the Wind '97; Olive, You're Not Alone; Radiohead, Paranoid Android; Texas, Say What You Want; The Verve, Bitter Suite Syphony; Robbie Williams, Old Before I Die.

    Best British Album by a British artist: Oasis, Be Here Now; Prodigy, Fat Of The Land; Radiohead, OK Computer; Texas, White On Blonde; The Verve, Urban Hymns.

    Best British Video (chosen by viewers of The Box): All Saints, Never Ever; Blur, Song 2; David Bowie, Little Wonder; Chemical Brothers, Block Rockin' Beats; Dario G, Sunchyme; Jamiroquai, Alright; Oasis, D'You Know What I Mean; Republica, Drop Dead Gorgeous; Spice Girls, Spice Up Your Life; Supergrass, Late In The Day; The Verve, Bitter Suite Symphony.

    Best British producer: Nigel Godrich/Radiohead, Liam Howlett (Prodigy), Roni Size, Stephen Street (Blur) and Youth/The Verve/Chris Potter.

    Best international newcomer: Erykah Badu, Daft Punk, Eels, Hanson and No Doubt.

    Best international male solo artist: Jon Bon Jovi, Coolio, LL Cool J, DJ Shadow and Sash(.

    Best international female solo artist: Erykah Badu, Bjork, Meredith Brooks, Celine Dion and Janet Jackson.

    Best international group: Daft Punk, Eels, Hanson, No Doubt and U2.

    Best soundtrack: The Full Monty, Men in Black, Romeo and Juliet, Space Jam and Trainspotting 2.
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