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Damon Albarn, Ed Sheeran, James Blake and Calvin Harris have been included in Debrett's annual list of the 500 Most Influential people in Britain.
Society bible Debrett's, best known for guiding newlyweds through the minefield of hat etiquette and the proper way to address to minor royalty, have compiled their annual list of 500 people influencing modern Britain. Somewhat surprisingly, a number of Gigwise favourites have been included
Ed Sheeran is singled out for particular praise, although bizarrely his ability to sell out Wembley Stadium solo for three nights isn't mentioned. "He’s managed to cover every landscape, singing with everyone from Sir Elton John to Wayne Rooney," his entry reads. "He’s entirely modern but with such versatility that few playing musicians remain unfamiliar with his work. Following a meteoric rise to stardom, Sheeran is as at ease with the kings as he is on the street."
Watch Ed Sheeran talk to Gigwise below
Albarn is described in equally glowing terms - even though one suspect's Debrett's is not a title the Blur frontman would have much time for. "Musician, multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter and record producer Damon Albarn is arguably the cleverest musician of his generation, on every level imaginable."
Perhaps the most surprising addition to the list is Mercury winner James Blake. For those unfamiliar, Debrett's explained: "The unassuming James Blake is the ultimate musician’s musician. Artists across the board, from hip hop to indie, are obsessed with his pervasive sound."
Other musicians in the list include One Direction, Calvin Harris and Sam Smith (whose toilet cleaning past does, perhaps unsurprisingly, get a mention).
Also included in the list include Simon Cowell, iTunes' Oliver Schusser, BPI chief executive Geoff Taylor, director of BBC music Bob Shennan, Radio One's Ben Coper and the chief exectuives of Sony, Warner and Universal. Concert promoter Simon Moran, BPI chief executive Geoff Tatloe are also included.
The annual list aspires to be the ‘definitive list of the 500 most influential and inspiring people in Britain today’. Read the full list over at debretts.com
