The Beatles land first Brit Award nod in 42 years as 2025 nominations are revealed

You’d be forgiven for wondering what year it is when looking at some of the names in the running for the 2025 Brit Awards.

This year’s nominations include some serious throwbacks with the likes of Coldplay, Bring Me The Horizon, The Cure, and even The Beatles all getting nods.

The Beatles’ AI-enhanced track Now and Then featuring John Lennon’s rediscovered vocals has landed the icons their second-ever song of the year nomination.

This is the first time in 42 years the group as a whole has been nominated for anything at all – even honorary awards.

Sir Paul McCartney has landed a handful of nods over the years, but his last nomination was in 1990, not including his outstanding contribution to music honour 17 years ago.

Music legends aside, unsurprisingly Charli XCX was leading the charge thanks to Brat’s success with five nominations; song, artist, album, dance, and pop.

Glastonbury headliner Dua Lipa isn’t far behind, battling for the top spot in all the same categories – minus dance act – with her album Radical Optimism.

The seven-time Brit winner is tied with Ezra Collective and The Last Dinner Party at four nominations.

Still slightly out of the mainstream, both dominated in group, new artist, and alternative/rock categories as well as securing album of the year nominations.

Rising Star winner Myles Smith could be in for a big night with nominations for best new artist and song of the year for breakout tune Stargazing.

Song of the year has plenty of chart-topping nominations like Training Season, feelslikei’mfallinginlove, Guess (featuring Billie Eilish), Backbone, and Angel of My Dreams.

Sam Ryder’s festive track You’re Christmas To Me, which was released in 2023, stands out among the hits but follows in the footsteps of Ed Sheeran and Elton John’s Merry Christmas.

Artist of the year, one of the most hotly contested categories, was overwhelmed with female vocal talents after backlash in 2023 over being too male-heavy.

Here, Dua Lipa and Charli XCX will be competing against grime stars like Central Cee and Nia Archives for the top spot, with Fred Again, Beabadoobe and Rachel Chinouriri all in the running.

Glastonbury favourite Sam Fender gets a nod here as well as in the alternative/rock act category, which is determined by public vote.

The Brits appear to have taken a leaf out of the Mercury Awards book as best new artist sees last year’s Mercury Prize winner English Teacher in the running.

They toppled The Last Dinner Party for the prize in September but are now back for round two with the added pressure of going head-to-head with fellow winners Ezra Collective.

Rachel Chinouriri and rising star nominee Myles Smith round out the category after a stunning year, with both artists also getting a song of the year nod.

International artist, group, and song are fairly expected as pop women are getting their flowers with nods for Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, Beyonce, Billie Eilish, and Chappell Roan.

Kendrick Lamar, Benson Boone, Teddy Swims, Post Malone, Noah Kahan and Hozier are also on the list as well as Stranger Things star Djo – also known as Joe Kerry.

Irish band Fontaines D.C. are up for international group, along with Linkin Park who released new music for the first time since Chester Bennington’s death with new singer Emily Armstrong.

Ariana Grande and her album eternal sunshine did not receive any nominations – a rather large but not wholly unexpected snub for the Wicked superstar.

One surprising oversight came for Kneecap, who didn’t get a single nomination, despite their acclaimed album and film.

The R&B category sees the (possibly triumphant) return of Brits titan Raye, who holds records with her epic six wins in one night, in her only nomination this year.

She’s up against girl group Flo after their acclaimed debut album and last year’s Rising Star award – as well as Jorja Smith, Michael Kiwanuka and Cleo Sol.

Central Cee has also proved a popular choice this year, with three nominations, including the coveted song and artist of the year categories.

He’s got tough competition when it comes to the public-voted hip hop, grime and rap act with Stormzy, Dave, and Little Simz – who have previously won three, two and one Brits respectively.

The Band4Band hitmaker has now been nominated for 11 Brits in three years, could he finally secure a win?

While all eyes are on the nominees, viewers will see another familiar face with Jack Whitehall hosting this year.

This will be the fifth time he has hosted the music awards show but requested that fans ‘don’t call it a comeback’.

The Brit Awards winners will be revealed on March 1, starting at 8pm on ITV and ITVX.

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