Emeli Sande is definitely on the rise this year. The singer/songwriter has been nominated for two Ivor Novello awards, one of the highest honors for a musical artist. The singer, who rose to prominence with her debut album Our Version of Events in 2011, has had a string of high profile performances lately, most notably during the summer Olympics last year. The prestigious songwriting awards would be just the latest addition to her already impressive record. Sande’s song Next To Me is in the running for best song musically, as well as lyrically, along with "Laura" by Bat For Lashes and Jake Bugg's "Two Fingers".

The annual award ceremony, now in its 58th year, has long been heralded as one of the industry’s most prestigious events, largely because the voting is done by composers, songwriters and industry professionals. They will be handed out at a ceremony at the Grosvenor House hotel in central London on Thursday 16 May. The list on nominees also includes Mercury Prize laureates Alt-J with “Fitzpleasure” up for best contemporary song along with Plan B's “Ill Manors” and “Pelican” by the Maccabees. Some of the other awards to be given out on the night include best original film score, songwriter of the year and international achievement.

Emeli Sande, Hammersmith Apollo, London
Sande performing at Hammersmith Apollo in London