The BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard has unveiled the three artists shortlisted for this year’s Critics’ Choice Award, a category long regarded as a launchpad for the UK’s brightest new talent.
Jacob Alon, Rose Gray and Sienna Spiro are the names in contention, revealed exclusively on BBC Radio 1’s New Music Show with Jack Saunders. The winner will be confirmed in January, ahead of the main ceremony.
Folk musician Alon – whose debut album In Limerence was nominated for this year’s Mercury Prize – reacted: “Ya beauty! Tapadh leibh for recognising my work for this award you legends! Even though I’m Scottish and Irish before I’m British, I appreciate the BRITs critics for this recognition. I really care about and believe in this music and it makes my world brighter every time it reaches someone else. Hopefully this nomination means some more beautiful people might find something in this wee album. ‘Mon the gays!!!”
Dance-pop star Gray has capped off an exceptional year with the nod, having released her debut album, Louder, Please, to acclaim.
She said: “I’m so excited for this nomination!! This moment feels like a special reminder of how far this journey has carried me and what a crazy year it’s been. One year ago, I was manifesting so hard for my album Louder, Please to travel, to find its people, to really get its light. And it did. Releasing this record has genuinely changed my life. I’m so grateful to everyone who’s been part of this journey and I can’t wait for what’s to come. Thank you BRITs.”
Singer-songwriter Spiro, who managed to reach No. 9 in the UK Singles Chart with her viral hit Die on This Hill, commented: “So beyond honoured and grateful to be nominated for this year’s Critics’ Choice BRIT Award! To think I started releasing music last year, I would never have expected this at all. Thank you so much!”
The Critics’ Choice award has a rich history of spotlighting future stars, with past winners and nominees including Dua Lipa, Adele, Florence + The Machine, James Blake, Michael Kiwanuka, Sam Smith, Jorja Smith, Griff, FLO, The Last Dinner Party, Myles Smith and many more who went on to achieve international acclaim.
The prize has reverted to its original name of Critics’ Choice for 2026, having switched to the Rising Star Award for the 2020 ceremony, “in acknowledgement of the importance of ‘critical acclaim’ to artists at this early and crucial stage of their career.”
This year’s BRIT Awards will take place on Saturday, February 28 at Manchester’s Co‑op Live arena, marking the first time the event has been staged outside London. The show will be broadcast live on ITV and ITVX.