The four top acts playing at this year's BRITs Nominations Launch party have now been confirmed.Editors, Bat For Lashes, The Hoosiers and new starlet Adele will all appear live at the show. It will be hosted by Kelly Osbourne and Reggie Yates at the legendary Roundhouse in Camden on Monday 14 January.Adele won the new Critics Choice award and is being tipped for big things in 2008 with her highly anticipated debut album 19. Popular Birmingham indie boys Editors and British singer/songwriter Bat For Lashes will also perform before hit band of the summer, The Hoosiers, take to the stage with tracks from their album The Trick to Life.Following on from Sharon and Ozzy's stint as presenters of the awards ceremony last year, Kelly Osbourne will host the party with Radio 1 Chart Show DJ Reggie Yates. The duo will announce the nominations to a star studded audience of critics and artists, which will include The Kaiser Chiefs and Mark Ronson.Ged Doherty, Chairman of The BRITs Committee said: "The BRITs launch has become an event in itself, brimming with anticipation and excitement."BPI Chief Executive Geoff Taylor added: "We've seen a lot of new British musical talent emerge in the last year, and four of our best new homegrown acts will perform at the BRITs launch - all of whom reflect the huge diversity in new British music."The Osbournes are making a mark on this year's show, and with performances from four great new homegrown artists the BRITs launch should be great entertainment for both those at the Roundhouse and the people watching at home."The live performances plus all the gossip and chat from backstage will be shown on ITV2 at 9:00pm on Monday 14th February.
The BRIT awards 2008 with MasterCard categories are:
MasterCard British Album - Voted for by The Academy
British Male Solo Artist - Voted for by The Academy
British Female Solo Artist - Voted for by The Academy
British Group - Voted for by The Academy
British Single - Voted for by UK Commercial Radio station listeners and The Sun Bizarre column readers
British Breakthrough Act - Top five selected by The Academy. Winner chosen by BBC Radio 1 listeners
British Live Act - Top five selected by Live Music Forum and a specialist panel. Winner chosen by BBC Radio 2 listeners
International Male Solo Artist - Voted for by The Academy
International Female Solo Artist - Voted for by The Academy
International Group - Voted for by The Academy
International Album - Voted for by The Academy
Critics Choice - ADELE - Voted for by a team of experts made up of music critics from national newspapers, major music magazines and music websites as well as heads of music at major radio and TV stations
The Outstanding Contribution to Music Award - Sir Paul McCartney - gift of the BPI Council
The academy is made up of over 1,000 invited members from across the British music industry including critics, writers, retailers, online and student press, record companies, managers, music TV and radio producers and presenters plus live concert promoters and NUS representatives and DJs.
Only 12% are drawn from major record companies and all academy votes will be collected online before being counted by independently.
Paul McCartney will be receiving the prestigious Outstanding Contribution to Music Award with Adele collecting the Critics Choice Award, a brand new award for 2008. The show will be held on 20th February, 2008 at Londons Earls Court. It will be broadcast live on ITV1.
The BPI also confirmed MasterCards long-term commitment to The BRIT Awards with a new three-year deal. This will be the tenth year of the partnership between them.
The British music scene is thriving at the moment, with UK acts producing over half of all albums sold last year. This is the highest share since 1998. The 2008 BRIT awards are sure to be the ideal opportunity to recognise and celebrate these artists.