Radio 1 listeners have voted Welcome to the DCC by Nothing but Thieves as the Hottest Record of the Year.
The indie band’s single, from their number one album Dead Club City, finished above Olivia Rodrigo’s Vampire and Miley Cyrus’s Flowers.
A total of 20 songs were up against each other for the award, with fans asked to select their three favourites from a shortlist.
Radio 1 DJ Clara Amfo unveiled Nothing But Thieves as the winners during a session at Maida Vale studios, where they also played a cover of Christmas is All Around from Love, Actually.
They said the win was “a big shock and a surprise” but was a “great way to end the year”.
They said Welcome to the DCC was not originally planned as a single, but the response to it encouraged them to release it.
Nothing But Thieves’ track doesn’t appear in The Official UK Charts Company’s list of 2023’s biggest hits, but did receive lots of airplay on Radio 1’s playlist.
It became an unofficial anthem of the station’s Big Weekend event, when DJs changed the lyrics to “Welcome to the DCC – Dundee City Council” – in honour of the host city.
Notable absences from the fan vote included Taylor Swift, and Dave and Central Cee’s record-breaking rap hit Sprinter.
Last year’s hottest record was This is Why by Paramore, and in 2021 the honour went to Sam Fender for Seventeen Going Under.
BBC Radio 1Xtra also revealed its Hot 4 2024 list this week, featuring seven acts tipped to make it big next year – AntsLive, Äyanna, Elmiene, JayO, No Guidnce, Skeete and Tyla.
DJ Target unveiled the chosen artists during a special session at Maida Vale studios.
Appearing on the network’s yearly list means the acts will be followed and supported by the station through the year.
Radio 1’s Hottest Record 2023
Full list in reverse order:
20 Nines – Calendar
19 Burna Boy – Sittin On Top Of The World
18 Ashnikko – Worms
17 Stormzy (featuring Fredo) – Toxic Trait
16 Sampha – Only
15 Mahalia – Terms and Conditions
14 Labrinth (featuring Billie Eilish) – Never Felt So Alone
13 Peggy Gou – (It Goes Like) Nanana
12 Calvin Harris with Ellie Goulding – Miracle
11 cassao x RAYE x D-Block Europe – Prada
10 Jorja Smith – Little Things
9 Chase & Status & Bou (ft. IRAH, Flowdan, Trigga, Takura) – Baddadan
8 Olivia Dean – Dive
7 Doja Cat – Paint The Town Red
6 boygenius – Not Strong Enough
5 Beabadoobee – Glue Song
4 Fred Again (featuring Obongjayar) – adore u
3 Miley Cyrus – Flowers
2 Olivia Rodrigo – Vampire
1 Nothing But Thieves – Welcome to the DCC
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