BIMM at the BRIT Awards
The 40th annual BRIT Awards ceremony recently took place at London’s O2 Arena recently, with BIMM students and staff in attendance to see the likes of DAVE, Billie Eilish, Mabel, Foals and Lewis Capaldi putting on brilliant performances, picking up awards and making headlines.
The BRITs celebrated their 40th major awards show in 2020, continuing their long history as a focal point in the UK Music Industry calendar. Numerous former BIMM students have performed onstage and received nominations and awards in previous years such as:
- George Ezra (British Male Solo Artist 2019)
- IDLES – Feat’ Drum alumnus Jon Beavis and BIMM Institute Bristol lecturer Lee Kiernan – (British Breakthrough Act 2019 – Nominated)
- Ella Mai (British Breakthrough Act 2019 – Nominated)
- James Bay (British Male Solo Artist 2016 and Rising star, 2015)
- Tom Odell (Critics’ Choice Award 2013)
- The Kooks – British Breakthrough Act 2007 – Nominated)
This year, representatives from across various BIMM Institute’s colleges played a key role in the ceremony when they were confirmed into The BPI’s official Voting Academy.
This meant that a number of key staff members and lecturers cast their votes to contribute directly towards the list of nominees and eventual award-winners at one the UK music industry’s most celebrated annual events.
BIMM Institute Director, Tony Wadsworth CBE, former Chairman of The BPI and former CEO of EMI Music UK, said: “One of the key factors in the longevity and success of the annual BRIT awards is the integrity of the voting process and the ability to make the composition of the voting academy as representative as possible of the wider music industry.”
He continued, “It’s a huge privilege for BIMM Institute, but also entirely fitting, that the academy should be enriched by music educationalists from the UK’s market leader in the provision of popular music education.“
Student involvement
Additionally, a select number of Music Journalism undergraduates from BIMM London were in attendance to cover the event in a press capacity, writing independent reviews for the likes of Decade Magazine.
One such student was Phillip Giouras, who soaked up the glamorous atmosphere with fellow BA3 student Charlotte Hall.
“I learned how such an enormous live event such as The BRITs comes together, how every small detail is taken into account, just how much goes into making the night run smoothly.” said Phillip.
“Personal highlights included Dave’s incredible performance, hearing everyone in the room gasp and then cheer at the song’s crescendo, getting to witness Billie Eilish team up with Hans Zimmer and an orchestra to perform the incredible new Bond Theme, the electricity and positivity in the room as Lizzo dominated the stage with her energetic hit-filled medley and finally getting to see some of my favourite artists receive much-deserved recognition with award wins (Foals, Tyler The Creator).”
The 40th annual BRIT Awards were an incredibly exciting reminder of why the UK Music Industry is one of the most successful in the world. BIMM was incredibly pleased to be involved with the awards once again and are already looking forward to seeing what next year’s ceremony has in store.
Are you interested in studying a course at BIMM, like our BRIT Award-winning alumni? Take a look at our brand new course options for 2020 entry.
