Announcing the 2026 Brits Critics’ Choice Award Nominees

The nominees for the 2026 Brits Critics’ Choice Award have been announced, highlighting emerging musical talent in the UK. The award, previously known as Brits Rising Star, is chosen by industry experts and aims to spotlight up-and-coming artists. The nominees this year are Sienna Spiro, Jacob Alon, and Rose Gray. The winner will be revealed in January, ahead of the Brit Awards ceremony on 28 February in Manchester, marking the first time the event will be held in the city. Rose Gray, an East London artist, gained recognition with her debut album ‘Louder, Please’ and has supported acts like Confidence Man, the Sugababes, and Kesha. Sienna Spiro, a soulful singer-songwriter from London, made waves with her debut single ‘Need Me’ and EP ‘Sink Now, Swim Later,’ with her latest track ‘Die On This Hill’ reaching the UK top 10. Jacob Alon, a non-binary musician from Fife, Scotland, developed their craft in Edinburgh’s folk scene and was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize with their debut album ‘In Limerence.’ They also became the first Scottish artist to be named BBC Introducing Artist of the Year. The award partnership with BBC Radio 1 has returned to the Critics’ Choice name to emphasize critical recognition for emerging talent. Previous winners include Adele, Sam Fender, and Myles Smith, who won this year’s Rising Star for his hit ‘Stargazing.’