Brit Awards 2014: David Bowie, Bastille and Ellie Goulding Lead the Nominations

Brit Awards 2014 Nominations: The Brits Are Coming

David Bowie proved that he still has what it takes to hold his own next to a new generation of pop stars.

The 67-year-old singer has been nominated for two Brit Awards for Best Album and Best British Male Solo artist at this year's Brit awards, with the likes of Robbie Williams and Gary Barlow not even getting a look in.

Bowie last year stunned the industry with his first release in a decade. His album, The Next Day won him a Mercury Prize nomination.

It's weird and crazy and I feel a bit overwhelmed as I always am. To be nominated at the Brit Awards is a huge honour.

- Ellie Goulding

While Bowie represents the best of a bygone era of British music, the new age of pop was represented by Bastille and Disclosure, who are each nominated for four awards at the ceremony, which takes place next month.

It promises to be a fierce fight with Bowie up against Bastille's Bad Blood, AM by Arctic Monkeys, Disclosure's Settle and Rudimental's Home for Best Album at the Brits.

Dan Smith from Bastille said: 'We're completely blown away by the four nominations. When we started the band we never thought we'd be recognised in such a way so the whole thing is an awesome surprise."

Anything Can Happen singer Ellie Goulding is flying the flag for British women in music, winning three nominations including Best British female solo artist, in which she faces competition from Birdy, Jessie J, Laura Marling and Laura Mvula.

Singer Ellie Goulding performs at The Sound of Change concert — Singer Ellie Goulding has three nominations and will perform at The Brit Awards in February. REUTERS

Goulding, who will perform live at the ceremony at London's O2 Arena, described her excitement at the nomination saying: "It's weird and crazy and I feel a bit overwhelmed as I always am.

"To be nominated at the Brit Awards is a huge honour. I will always remember how important the Brits were to me every year as a child and how exciting they were," she added.

"I'm so happy and grateful to be a part of it again this year - it really has been the craziest six months of my career."

It's amazing to receive this award. The Brits is the only music award that matters to me.

- Sam Smith

British boy band One Direction continue their bid for pop supremacy, winning nominations for two awards - Best Single and Best Group. They are also front runners for the global success award for the second year running, which is based on international sales.

The nominations announcement ceremony was held at ITV studios and hosted by Radio One DJ Nick Grimshaw and featured performances from Tinie Tempah and Pixie Lott.

"It's so amazing to see a British artist making it all over the world. I want to say good luck to all the nominees," said Tempah.

"Earthquake" from singer-songwriter Labrinth, featuring rapper Tinie Tempah came second at UK singles charts. — Tinie Tempah previosuly won the Brit award for Best Breakthrough artist. Reuters

The singer who won Best British Breakthrough act at last year's Brits was tipping Laura Mvula for the Best Album prize.

"She's one of the most incredible artists and her album is one of the best things I've heard. My money's on Ellie Gouding for Best British Female," he added.

Drake, Eminem, Bruno Mars and Justin Timberlake vie for the title of Best International Male while the nominations for Best International Female include Janelle Monae, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Lorde and Pink.

This year's Critics' Choice prize was awarded to La La La singer, Sam Smith.

The star, who performed at the nominations show said: "It's amazing to receive this award. The Brits is the only music award that matters to me. I watched Adele win this when I was 16, so it means a lot."

'Fifty Shades of Grey' Movie Soundtrack — Jessie J won is a previous winner of the Critics Choice Award. Twitter

Jessie J, who previously won the Critics Choice award shared some words of advice for Sam Smith. "My biggest advice is enjoy it all. And take photos. Things can go really fast that you dont remember it."

It will also be the last time James Cordon will be hosting the awards show. The british comic actor has hosted the show with Kylie Minogue in the past, and last year caused a sensation when he famously cut Adele's thank you speech short.

The Brit Awards 2014 will be broadcast live on ITV on 19 February and features performances by Arctic Monkeys, Bastille and Katy Perry.

BRIT AWARD NOMINATIONS 2014

British Male Solo Artist:

David Bowie

Jake Bugg

James Blake

John Newman

Tom Odell

British Female Solo Artist:

Birdy

Ellie Goulding

Jessie J