Radiohead nominated as 'best band in the world'

Radiohead, the first British group to top the album charts on both sides of the Atlantic in three years, were named yesterday as a contender for "best band in the world".

Radiohead, the first British group to top the album charts on both sides of the Atlantic in three years, were named yesterday as a contender for "best band in the world".

They will battle it out with Blur, Travis, Manic Street Preachers and Stereophonics, all British bands, for the title in the Q Awards, whose shortlist was announced.

The awards are a much smaller affair than the Brits or the Mercury Music Prize but they have nevertheless rapidly gained status in the music industry. Travis and newcomers Coldplay top the nominations list, each competing for a trio of awards at the annual ceremony on 31 October.

Coldplay are up for best new act, the best new album for Parachutes and their track "Yellow" - a top-five hit this summer - is in the running for best single. Travis' other nominations are for best video (Coming Around) and best live act.

The Mercury Music Prize winner, Badly Drawn Boy - aka Damon Gough - is up for best album for The Hour of the Bewilderbeast against Primal Scream (Exterminator), Doves (Lost Souls), Muse (Showbiz) and Coldplay.

Robbie Williams gets just one mention in the shortlist. His album Sing When You're Winning earned a best-producer nomination for Guy Chambers and Chris Power.

The awards - organised by the music magazine Q and sponsored by the Orangemobile-phone network - are to be televised for the first time on Channel 4 on 4 November.

The success of Radiohead's release Kid A has brought relief to the British music industry, which was despairing of regaining credibility in America, where there has been an unprecedented loss of interest in British bands.

A music-industry survey by Billboard magazine found that respondents felt that British bands did not have sufficient "work ethic" and were reluctant to tour across America or participate in the necessary promotional work.