LONDON, UK (Top40 Charts/ BRIT Awards) The BRIT Awards with MasterCard will take place on Tuesday 21st February at The O2 in London for the second year running, after a triumphant first year in the world's most successful music venue. The 2012 Awards will also see winners presented with an exclusive trophy designed by Sir
Peter Blake, for one year only.
This is the second year the BRITs have asked that their 'blank canvas' trophy be designed by a leading British creative individual - last year fashion designer Dame Vivienne Westwood adorned the coveted statue. Sir Peter is responsible for some of the most iconic album sleeves of all time including The Beatles - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Paul Weller - Stanley Road, Oasis - Stop The Clocks and the single sleeve for the Band Aid single Do They Know It's Christmas?
Sir Peter Blake said: 'I am very proud to be this year's designer for the iconic BRIT Award trophy. It is wonderful to be a part of this most important and exciting music event, honouring the greatest of talents shaping our musical landscape. I've enjoyed the creative challenge to honour such leading performers enormously.'
The BRIT Awards are also proud to announce the return of one of the most talented and talked about British actors/writers/producers and presenters James Corden. James who is currently winning five star reviews in the play One Man, Two Guvnors will take time out of his hectic schedule to return for the second year in a row.
Speaking about The BRITs James said: 'I enjoyed presenting the show so much last year so being asked back for the third time is a real honour. Ever since I was a teenager I've loved the BRIT Awards. As a music fan I feel totally privileged to have the best seat in the house. I can't wait.'
BRITs Chairman David Joseph said: 'We are delighted to be back at The O2 for a second year and also to welcome James Corden back again as our host, he did a fantastic job last year. We feel hugely honoured that Sir Peter Blake accepted the challenge of designing the trophy this year - the result is incredible. Having created possibly the world's most iconic album sleeve with The Beatles, Sir Peter's work is synonymous with the best of British music."
2011 saw a raft of changes that marked a new era for the legendary awards that saw them become more iconic and relevant than ever before. Following this year's event the charts were dominated by BRIT artists. In the official albums chart, seven of the Top 10 albums were either by BRIT winners, performers or nominees. In the iTunes chart nine of the top 10 albums were BRIT winners or performers.
Adele's stunning rendition of 'Someone Like You' became the most talked-about performance this year. Following the BRITs the single climbed 46 places in the charts, reaching number one, where it spent five weeks in total. Like last year, the main focus of the awards will be on the all-new MasterCard British Album Of The Year Award. The night will showcase and highlight the incredible world-class albums released by British artists over the course of the year. This year's triumphant winner was Mumford & Sons for the critically acclaimed 'Sigh No More'.
Another significant change from previous years came by way of the Voting Academy, which, for the first time in the awards' history, invited artists to sit on the academy and cast votes. The Academy is made up of invited members from across the breadth of the UK music industry, from music critics to radio producers, music publishers, promoters, record companies, retailers and NUS representatives. With all 2011's winners and nominees being invited to join the panel for 2012, artists are now the single largest group represented.
Guests and viewers alike were this year treated to a magnificent array of performances which showcased the creme de la creme of both British and international talent in Take That, Adele, Rihanna, MasterCard British Album Of The Year Award winners Mumford & Sons, Plan B, Arcade Fire, Tinie Tempah and Cee Lo Green with guest performer, Paloma Faith. 2012 will see more amazing and exciting performances brought to the stage with tickets going on sale from today.
Through MasterCard's Priceless London campaign, MasterCard cardholders are being offered a priority window of one week to purchase their seats http://www.pricelesslondon.co.uk.
More details of the 2012 Awards will be announced soon.
