BRIT Awards 2013: Preview

20 February 2013, 07:19 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

Find out everything you need to know about who's performing, who's up for which award and what to look out for at this year's BRIT Awards ceremony.

The BRIT Awards 2013 is almost upon us and will see all of the biggest and best in the business competing to win one of the coveted BRITs statues when the show kicks off later today (20th February).

The 33rd ever BRIT Awards takes place later this evening at London's O2 Arena, hosted for the fourth time running by Gavin & Stacey star James Corden, and will also boast some highly anticipated performances from artists ranging from Justin Timberlake to One Direction. 

'SexyBack' singer Justin will make his UK return later today when he performs live at the BRIT Awards 2013 just weeks before the launch of his third studio album 'The 20/20 Experience', and fresh from his well received duet with Jay-Z at the Grammy Awards 2013.

Justin is widely expected to perform his brand new song 'Mirrors', which received its first play on Capital FM earlier this month, but could always throw in a curveball and perform something unexpected for the masses of Timberlake fans who will be in attendance.

View a shot of Justin Timberlake during his Grammy's performance two weeks ago below (Credit: Getty):

Other performances on the night will come from US superstar Taylor Swift, UK boy band sensation One Direction and critical darling Emeli Sande, while Robbie Williams, Mumford & Son and Ben Howard are also all expected to perform live on stage.

All eyes will be on 'We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together' singer Taylor's performance later this evening, following her widely publicised dig at Harry Styles at the Grammys, while the 'Live While We're Young' singers will be giving their first live performance of new charity single 'One Way Or Another (Teenage Kicks)'.

Taylor Swift will be looking to top her Grammys performance when she plays at the BRITs 2013 (Credit: PA):

The BRIT Awards 2013 also marks a homecoming of sorts for Robbie Williams, who will be looking to add to his 17 BRITs gongs with another for Best British Single with Capital FM with his 2012 Vodafone Big Top 40 number one 'Candy'.

The BRITs is, of course, mainly all about the awards themselves and 2013 will be no different with the likes of Emeli Sande, Rita Ora, Mumford & Sons, Rihanna and Olly Murs all up for multiple gongs later today.

The category for Mastercard British Album Of The Year will see Emeli Sande's 'Our Version Of Events' compete with Mumford & Sons' 'Babel' as well as offerings from Alt-J, Paloma Faith and Plan B to be named the best album of the past twelve months.

Could Emeli Sande walk away with multiple gongs at the BRIT Awards 2013? (Credit: PA):

Scottish singer-songwriter Emeli has a total of four nominations at this year's BRITs and will also compete to win British Female Solo Artist, against the likes of Amy Winehouse and Jessie Ware, as well as scoring two nominations in the highly competitive Best British Single with Capital FM category. 

Fifteen of the year's biggest hits will be fighting it out to win this important BRIT Award, with both Emeli Sande and Rita Ora being nominated twice in the category alongside nominees like Adele, James Arthur, Jessie J and Rudimental. 

Chart regulars like Calvin Harris, Olly Murs and Plan B are up against Ben Howard and Richard Hawley in the category for British Male Solo Artist, while British Breakthrough Act will see fresh faces like Jake Bugg, Jessie Ware and Rita Ora all vying for BRITs gold.

The BRITs will also be celebrating stars from around the world when heavyweights like Rihanna and Taylor Swift face off against Lana Del Rey, Alicia Keys and Cat Power for International Female Solo Artist at tonight's awards show, while veteran Bruce Springsteen will compete for International Male Solo Artist against up-and-comers like Frank Ocean and Gotye.

Moving away from solo artists to the groups, British Group nominees One Direction, The XX, Muse, Alt-J and Mumford & Sons are all looking like potential winners in their category, while The Script will be looking to secure a win for International Group against big name bands like The Killers and The Black Keys. 

Check out a picture of One Directon showing off their red carpet looks at the NRJ Awards 2013 last month below (Credit: Getty):

Finally, the battle to win Best Live Act will be fought between touring greats like The Rolling Stones, Muse, Coldplay, Mumford & Sons and The Vaccines. 

The BRIT Awards 2013 takes place from 8pm tonight (20th February) live from the O2 Arena in London.

You can see all the latest news, pictures, interviews and watch this year's performances at the BRIT Awards 2013 on Capitalfm.com - follow the action in real time on our live blog.

Join the conversation about this year's BRIT Awards by following @CapitalOfficial on Twitter with the hashtag #BRITSOnCapital and liking us on Facebook.