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

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.

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.

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."

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.

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."

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

Laura Marling

Laura Mvula

British Group:

Arctic Monkeys

Bastille

Disclosure

One Direction

Rudimental

British Breakthrough Act:

Bastille

Disclosure

Laura Mvula

London Grammar

Tom Odell

Critics' Choice (already awarded):

Sam Smith

British Single

Bastille - Pompeii

Calvin Harris/Ellie Goulding - I Need Your Love

Disclosure featuring AlunaGeorge - White Noise

Ellie Goulding - Burn

John Newman - Love Me Again

Naughty Boy featuring Sam Smith - La La La

Olly Murs - Dear Darlin'

One Direction - One Way Or Another (Teenage Kicks)

Passenger - Let Her Go

Rudimental featuring Ella Eyre - Waiting All Night

British Album Of The Year:

Arctic Monkeys - AM

Bastille - Bad Blood

David Bowie - The Next Day

Disclosure - Settle

Rudimental - Home

British Producer Of The Year:

Ethan Johns

Flood & Alan Moulder

Paul Epworth

International Male Solo Artist:

Bruno Mars

Drake

Eminem

John Grant

Justin Timberlake

International Female Solo Artist:

Janelle Monae

Katy Perry

Lady Gaga

Lorde

Pink

International Group:

Arcade Fire

Daft Punk

Haim

Kings of Leon

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis