Emeli Sande, JLS, Trey Songz, Labrinth, Conor Maynard to play MOBOs

With just days until the eyes of the world turn to Liverpool for the 17th Annual MOBO Awards on Saturday 3rd November, some of the hottest acts are preparing to put their best foot forward for an electrifying night of music.

British TV and radio personality Miquita Oliver and BAFTA-winning actor, director and rapper Adam Deacon will oversee the action on the night as hosts. Guest presenters will be jetting in from across the globe to show their support for the annual Awards.

Five-time MOBO Award nominated Plan B will be on hand to present the Best Female Act Award and the multi-nominated global superstar Rita Ora is flying in from the American leg of her tour especially to hand out the gong for Best Hip Hop / Grime.

Dionne Warwick's success in the music industry has been stratospheric. Throughout her 50 years in the business, her poise, elegance and strength of character have led the way for waves of female vocalists to break into the mainstream. Dionne's heartbreaking delivery and unique vocals make her instantly recognisable as one of the leading voices in the business. MOBO is proud to welcome Dionne as its guest of honour and present the leading lady with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

TLC were one of the all-time biggest R&B girl groups and enjoyed colossal global success throughout the 1990s. The tragic death of Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes – host of the MOBO Awards in 2000 – marked the start of the group's hiatus from the industry. MOBO are proud to welcome Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins, and Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas to this year's ceremony where they will be honoured with a MOBO Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music.

The MOBO Awards has supported the multi-platinum, world renowned Emeli Sandé from the very beginning of her career, so it is only fitting that Emeli will return to the Awards with five nominations for Best Female Act*, Best R&B/Soul, Best Video for My Kind Of Love, Best Song* for Next To Me and Best Album for Our Version Of Events. Emeli is set to wow the crowd with a special opening performance of her powerfully emotive single, My Kind of Love.
JLS have spent the past three years riding high with four albums and countless sell-out arena tours. Aston, J.B., Marvin and Oritsé will arrive in Liverpool in style on a specially chartered easyJet flight for a performance of their newest single Hottest Girl in the World. The group are also in the running to add to their bulging trophy cabinet with a nomination for Best Video for Do You Feel What I Feel.

Trey Songz has melted hearts across the world with his super smooth vocals - having spent the past 10 years travelling the globe with his own brand of R&B, he is set to deliver a star performance of his smash single Simply Amazing.

Under the wing of his mentor Ne-Yo, Conor Maynard has been making huge waves in the charts with three top five singles under his belt and a number one album, and he'll be taking to the stage with a medley. Labrinth has launched a full assault on the music scene, taking on the charts with his own take on urban pop, and he will perform a mash up of his biggest hits on the night.

Wiley, widely regarded as one of the founding fathers of grime, will take to the stage with guests Skepta and Ms. D to perform his first number one single in a 15-year-long career, Heatwave. He'll also be playing his second 2012 smash single, Can You Hear Me.

Misha B burst onto the UK's television screens in 2011 and her talent could not be tamed. She has gone on to storm the music scene with her fresh and fun style which will be showcased on the night with a banging version of her debut single, Home Run.

Singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer, Angel is regarded as one of the industry's best kept secrets. MOBO are proud to showcase his emerging talent and he will perform his 2012 top ten single Wonderful at the Awards.

Stooshe have won over critics and fans with their Motown inspired hits and lashings of attitude. As well as picking up a nomination for MOBO Best Newcomer in association with HTC, the three-piece will draw the evening to a close with a special performance of their latest single, a cover of TLC's Waterfalls with endorsement from T-Boz and Chilli.
MOBO Founder Kanya King MBE says: "The level of originality and creativity shown across this year's nominations is staggering. As if having some of the world's biggest stars in the industry wasn't enough, we're honoured to host some true legends in music who have made it possible for today's talent to flourish.

Arena and VIP tickets for the MOBO Awards on Saturday 3rd November at the Echo Arena Liverpool can be purchased at www.mobo.com/tickets where hotel information can also be found.

* 'Best Newcomer in association with HTC'
* 'Best Female Act in association with Tresor Paris'
* 'Best Song in association with PRSforMusic'