• Countdown to Polish Grammys
  • 09.05.2011

A former winner of the Polish version of Pop Idol looks set to sweep the board at tonight's Fryderyki awards, often dubbed the Polish Grammys.

 

Twenty four year-old Monika Brodka has notched up nine nominations, including Songwriter of the Year, Vocalist of the Year and Artist of the Year.

  

However, not till after 7 pm tonight will music aficionados know the final outcome, with prizes being handed out at a glitzy media gala hosted at Warsaw's Fabryka Trzciny centre.

 

Other acts that look well-placed include eclectic instrumentalist Czeslaw Mozil, who has seven nominations up his sleeve, and Thrash Metal ambassadors The Acid Drinkers, with six.

  

The so-called “Frederics” were launched in 1995, taking their name from Poland's most famed musical son, Frederic Chopin (Fryderyk in the Polish spelling).

 

Votes are cast by the so-called Phonographic Academy, which is made up of over 800 artists, music journalists and professionals within the industry.

  

The awards also take in classical and jazz music, and there's a special award for best album by a foreign act, this year championing Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, The Kings of Leon, Peter Gabriel and Sade. (nh)