CELESTE'S STAR IS ON THE RISE

Polydor signing Celeste—Interscope is her U.S. label— has won the inaugural BRITs 2020 Rising Star Award, and is the first artist announced to perform at the BRIT Awards in February. It’s the second year in a row that UMG imprint Polydor has won the developing artist gong.

Celeste was up against Dirty Hit signing Beabadoobee and Insanity's Joy Crookes. Previously titled Critics’ Choice, the winner of Rising Star receives a performance slot on the main show for the first time in BRITs history next year.

Celeste signed to Polydor last year and has since garnered critical acclaim for a string of singles including “Lately,” “Father’s Son” and latterly “Strange,” which was heavily supported at Radio 1.

She has sold out every London show this year—including three dates at Omeara—and supported the likes of Michael Kiwanuka, Janelle Monae and Neneh Cherry, as well as duetting with Paul Weller. She recently announced a U.K. headline tour for next April, selling out the 2k capacity Shepherd's Bush Empire in a matter of days. Management is Atlas Artists and CAA reps her for the world excluding North America.

Polydor artist Sam Fender was the winner of last year’s Critics’ Choice Award, and has since hit the top of the U.K.’s Official Albums Chart with his debut. He’ll play two dates at the 10.4k capacity Alexandra Palace in March next year.