Q Awards 2009 with Russian Standard Vodka celebrate a great year in music as Oasis, Muse, Kasabian, U2, Florence And The Machine, Kings Of Leon, Dizzee Rascal and Arctic Monkeys prepare to fight it out for a golden Q.

Last year's Q Awards with Russian Standard Vodka saw Coldplay take home the prestigious Best Act in the World Today however this year they face strong opposition in the form of recently split Oasis, Muse, Arctic Monkeys and the all-conquering Kings Of Leon.

Kasabian and Florence And The Machine both crown their hugely successful year by garnering three nominations apiece.

Comenting on the nominees Q Magazine Editor-In-Chief Paul Rees highlighted the breadth of Q reader's taste, "The Q Awards prides itself on honouring the best popular music of the year and the 2009 vintage is no exception. Once again the nominations prove that great music continues to be made across a broad range of styles. The nominations are compiled from votes cast in their thousands by Q's readers, listeners, viewers and online users, so they reflect the choice of the nation's music fans."

Voting is now open! Click here to support your favourite band for the Q Awards 2009 with Russian Standard Vodka

The Nominees In Full:

Best New Act (Presented by Red Stripe)
White Lies
Friendly Fires
Empire Of The Sun
Passion Pit
The Dead Weather

Breakthrough Artist (Presented by My-Wardrobe.com)
Florence & The Machine
Lady GaGa
La Roux
Mr Hudson
Pixie Lott

Best Track
Kasabian - Fire
Muse - Uprising
Arctic Monkeys - Crying Lightning
Dizzee Rascal - Bonkers
Noisettes - Never Forget You
Lily Allen - The Fear

Best Video (Presented by Nixon Watches)
The Dead Weather - Treat Me Like Your Mother
Dizzee Rascal - Holiday
Florence & The Machine - Drumming Song
Mika -- We Are Golden
Lady GaGa - Just Dance

Best Live Act (Presented by Marshall Amplification)
The Prodigy
U2
Oasis
Kasabian
Arctic Monkeys
Blur
Take That

Best Album (Presented by Citroën)
Arctic Monkeys - Humbug
U2 - No Line On The Horizon
Florence & The Machine - Lungs
The Prodigy - Invaders Must Die
Kasabian - West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum

Best Act In The World Today (Presented by Russian Standard Vodka)
Kings Of Leon
Arctic Monkeys
Oasis
Coldplay
Muse
http://news.qthemusic.com/2009/09/post_28.html

At the beginning of the decade, pop was in full command with boy band and teen sensations Take That ruling the charts. The group scored hit after hit; many penned by band member and talented songwriter Gary Barlow. Over a period of five years, Take That sold more than 25 million records. But in 1995 the hearts of teenage girls throughout Britain were broken as Robbie Williams announced he was quitting the band, and 9 months later, the remaining members of Take That split up.

In contrast to the pop of the early nineties, bands such as Blur and Suede were emerging onto the music scene bringing with them a new movement; Britpop. Taking its influence from the guitar style of sixties and seventies groups including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and The Kinks. the songs which were quintessentially British and reflected the life and culture of the time.

Bands such as Pulp, Supergrass and Elastica also found favour and by the mid-nineties, with Cool Britannia in full swing, two rival bands ruled the Britpop world and were battling to be crowned King. Oasis and Blur split loyalties as they fought for the title, even releasing their singles ‘Roll with It’ and ‘Country House’ in the same week in August 1995. Both bands sold millions of albums and will always be credited with being the dominant force in Britpop.

The Nineties, however, didn’t just belong to the boys. In 1996, it was the turn of Girl Power and in particular, pop sensations the Spice Girls to stir things up. The group, with their ‘in yer face’ attitude took not only Britain by storm, but the rest of the world. Their debut album ‘Spice’ sold more than 23 million copies worldwide and with numerous Number Ones, awards, and even a film under their belt, the Spice Girls became of the biggest cultural icons of the Nineties and re-ignited the nation’s love for bubblegum pop all over again.

On New Years Eve, Thursday 31 December, 1400, Radio 2 will take a look back at the Great British Songbook of the Nineties.

From Take That to Spice Girls; from Oasis to Blur, we will take a trip down memory lane, playing the best British songs from that decade.

And we want your suggestions:

Which song do you feel HAS to be in the Great British Songbook of the Nineties and why? Perhaps a song conjours up a special memory for you? Or maybe you think the lyrics are the finest penned by a British songwriter?

Whatever your choice, tell us by filling in the form below and don't forget to tune in to Radio 2 on Thursday 31 December at 1400. Please note if you leave your phone number we may call you and ask you to talk about your suggested song on the progamme.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/music/great-british-songbook/1990s/