We’re deep in the throws of awards show season with the Golden Globes behind us, the GRAMMYs coming up on February 10 and the Oscars still looming and there’s one thing the viewing public would love to know: what’s it actually like to be there?

Emeli Sandé, known to the entire population of the UK as their country’s highest selling artist of 2012 and known to the U.S. as the singer who was controversially cut from the summer Olympics Opening Night coverage, is getting ready for awards season herself. She’s nominated for three BRIT Awards, which she explained to Radio.com as the UK equivalent of the GRAMMYs.

“So many legends and so many amazing British artists have gone through and been acknowledged by the BRITs. It’s a big night,” Sandé said. She continued, saying the nomination that means the most to her is Best Album.

This is far from her first awards show, however, so we had to ask what it’s actually like at these affairs. Sandé’s version sounds an awful lot like the shenanigans we expect at the GRAMMYs.

“Every time I’ve been to an awards ceremony it’s quite a drunken affair usually,” Sandé admitted. “You sit around in tables and everyone’s meeting up. Everyone’s so busy throughout the year — people that you’ve worked with and different artists are all together. Usually people let their hair down. I know the BRITS are notorious for that kind of rock & roll party feel.”

And, of course, there is the important consideration of wardrobe. Every music awards ceremony, from the GRAMMYs to the BRITS boast red carpets that can be on the more experimental side of fashion.

“I think I might go all out,” Sandé said, smiling. “It’s going to be a once-in-a-lifetime kind of night. After such a busy year last year for me back home, so I think I’m just going to go full out and wear something that I’m comfortable enough to party in but also makes a statement for me and my music.”

-Courtney E. Smith, Radio.com