Brit Awards 2013: music stars gear up for open ceremony at O2 Arena in London

Music stars from Britain and beyond are gearing up for this year’s Brit Awards in London.

Scots singer Emeli Sande is hot favorite to win best British album and female, while folk rockers Mumford and Sons are tipped for best British group.

Stadium rockers Muse will open the ceremony at the O2 Arena.

There will also be performances from Robbie Williams, One Direction, Taylor Swift and Justin Timberlake, but it is not clear whether Adele will turn up.

The best-selling singer famously showed her annoyance when one of her victory speeches was cut short last year.

Brit Awards chairman David Joseph has said he will make amends, telling the Guardian: “I can hint that something is going to happen this year to right that wrong.”

Adele is the bookmakers’ favorite to win the best British single prize for her Bond theme Skyfall, but she is rumored to be in the US rehearsing for an appearance at the Oscars on Sunday.

Emeli Sande has four nominations, including two in the best single category. She is returning to the event a year after picking up the Critics’ Choice accolade for rising stars.

Speaking on the red carpet, she said: “I’ve been here for the last three years and you go from nobody knowing who you are, to Critics’ Choice last year, and now to be here just feels great.”

There are three nods apiece for Mercury Prize winners Alt-J and Mumford and Sons, who took the album of the year trophy at the Grammy Awards in the US last weekend.

Other nominees include Amy Winehouse, who is posthumously shortlisted for best British female, and The Rolling Stones, who are up for best live act, 35 years after they were shortlisted for the first ever Brit Awards.

Singer-songwriter Ben Howard is tipped to take home best British male, while pop star Rita Ora leads the contenders in the British breakthrough category.

The winners all receive a trophy designed by controversial British artist Damien Hirst.

One Direction will give the first live performance of their Comic Relief single, a medley of Blondie’s One Way Or Another and The Undertones’ Teenage Kicks.

Taylor Swift is said to be putting together a fire and ice-themed set, while Timberlake is bringing along the big band that accompanied him at the Grammy Awards.

Hosted by comedian James Corden for the third time, the Brits ceremony will be broadcast live on ITV from 20:00 GMT.

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