EC&O Venues and BRIT Award organisers the BPI have signed a deal which will see the world-famous music event remaining at Earls Court. The 2008 ceremony will take place on 20th February at the leading West London venue with Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne hosting the live event.
Nigel Nathan, Managing Director at EC&O Venues, said that rumours that the event was moving, had been greatly exaggerated. “The BRITs work well at Earls Court – due, in large amount, to its location, its flexibility of space, the venue team and the fact that we think the event is fantastic – and despite the increasing choice of venues that the BPI have, and the deals they were probably being offered, they were keen to stay with us. Naturally, we’re delighted and look forward to working with them on an ongoing basis.”
The BRITs, a UK music industry institution, were first held at Earls Court in 1996, and returned, after a two year break, in 2000. Known for its history of unpredictable rock n roll antics, The BRIT Awards 2008 is the perfect forum for television’s infamous couple. With Ozzy Osbourne’s metal mayhem and Sharon’s outspoken honesty the duo will guide millions of TV viewers and 11 thousand music fans partying in Earls Court through one of the most exhilarating nights in the UK Music calendar.
In their time at the venue, the BRITs have honoured a glittering array of talent including The Scissor Sister, Amy Winehouse, The Killers, Oasis, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Take That, Kylie, Madonna, David Bowie, Coldplay and Sting – but it’s probably for performance and controversy that the Earls Court ceremonies are best remembered.
Whether it’s Jarvis Cocker disrupting Michael Jackson’s performance, John Prescott being soaked by anarchist Danbert Nobacon, Geri Halliwell emerging from between a pair of enormous legs, or the Scissor Sisters performing with creatures from the Jim Henson Workshop, the BRIT Awards never fail to deliver surprise, excitement and spectacle.
The 2008 show is set to be another unforgettable celebration with Sharon and Ozzy at the helm. It will see the best home-grown and international musical talent honoured by the public vote and by the BRITs Academy and once again the awards will broadcast live on ITV1 from 8pm, directly from Earls Court.
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Notes to editors
For further information on EC&O Venues:
Lynne Marie Cox, Communications Manager
lynnemarie.cox@eco.co.uk / 020 7370 8838
www.eco.co.uk
EC&O Venues is the UK’s premier exhibition and conference venue manager. The business comprises Earls Court, Olympia and the Brewery, London’s leading venues for exhibitions, conferences and special events. The three venues hold over 1000 events each year, attracting over 3 million visitors and 30,000 exhibiting companies.
For more information on the BRITs please visit:
http://brits.co.uk The BRIT (British Record Industry Trust) Awards is organised by the BPI — the British recorded music industry association — which has over 400 record company members large and small who between them account for in excess of 90% of UK recorded music sales.
The BRITs - Voting Academy
The Academy is made up of more than 1,000 specially invited members from across the breadth of the UK music industry: music critics, music writers, online & student press, major & independent record companies, retailers, music TV and radio producers & presenters, music publishers, artist managers, live concert promoters, NUS representatives and DJs.
Less than a quarter of the academy's membership is drawn from the recording industry, and despite the popular misconception that "BRIT Bosses" dish out the awards, only 12% of the voting academy are drawn from major record companies.
All academy votes are collected online, and are counted and verified by official scrutinisers ERS (Electoral Reform Services).
BRIT = British Record Industry Trust
The BRIT (British Record Industry Trust) Awards is organised by the BPI – the British recorded music industry association - which has over 400 record company members large and small who between them account for in excess of 90% of UK recorded music sales.
The BRIT Awards 2008 with MasterCard will be the 28th BRIT Awards, which has raised more than £8million for The BRIT Trust charity, whose main beneficiaries are the BRIT School for Performing Arts & Technology (http://www.brit.croydon.sch.uk), Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy (http://www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk) and other selected charities.
Over 7,000 young people have been given free education and the opportunity to enter the BRIT School since its opening in 1991 and more than 10,000 children and adults have been helped by the extraordinary music therapy work carried out by Nordoff-Robbins.
The BRITs 2008 come at a time when the UK music industry is thriving creatively, with last year being a good one for home-grown talent with UK acts accounting for more than half (52%) of all albums sold in the UK - the highest share since 1998.
The BRIT Awards 2008 with MasterCard
Earls Court 1, Wednesday 20 February 2008
Televised LIVE, ITV 1 at 8pm.
Nominations Launch: Monday 14 January 2008 – The Roundhouse, London.