January 05, 2009

By By Andre Paine, London

Australian teenage pop act Gabriella Cilmi will perform at the Brit Awards Nominations Launch, held Jan. 20 at London's Roundhouse.

U.K. alternative act Florence & The Machine, winners of the 2009 Critics' Choice Brit Award, will also play the event. A debut album is set to be released by Island this year.

British rock-pop act Scouting For Girls will also appear at the event, hosted by Radio 1 Chart Show DJ Fearne Cotton. The show will be broadcast with backstage interviews at 8pm on Jan. 20 on ITV2.

Nominations for the 11 awards will be announced at the launch. The Brit Awards is staged at London's Earls Court on Feb. 18 and will be screened live on ITV1.

Ged Doherty, chairman of the Brits Committee and chairman/CEO of Sony Music Entertainment U.K.,said in a statement: "The Nominations Launch party has firmly established itself as a major night for music in its own right. It's a great platform for Florence & The Machine to show why she has won the Critics' Choice Award this year, while the presence of Gabriella Cilmi and Scouting For Girls will ensure a vibrant and exciting night for all. We thank ITV for their continued support."

Subscribe to Billboard magazine today!