A lineup of major artists performed at this year's BRIT Awards, which was one of the first mass events to take place in the U.K. since the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
The awards ceremony was hosted by Jack Whitehall at London’s O2 Arena, and was broadcast live on ITV and YouTube. About 4,000 audience members attended. Everyone had to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test upon entry, but no one was required to socially distance or wear masks.
The roster of 2021 BRIT Award performers included Coldplay, Elton John and Olly Alexander, Rag‘n’Bone Man and P!nk, Olivia Rodrigo, Dua Lipa, The Weeknd, Griff, Arlo Parks, and Headie One.
Check out the clips of all the performances below!
Coldplay
After recently debuting their new song, "Higher Power" at the International Space Station, Coldplay opened the awards ceremony by performing the single next to the Thames River. There were lots of colored fireworks, cool drone shots, and even some dancing aliens.
Rag'n'Bone Man and P!nk with The NHS Choir
Rag'n'Bone Man and P!nk closed out the 2021 BRIT Awards with a mesmerizing performance of their collaboration "Anywhere Away From Here." P!nk performed from a huge projector screen, and the duet was powered by a band and the NHS Choir. All proceeds from "Anywhere Away From Here" sales will go toward the Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Charity and NHS Charities Together.
Elton John and Olly Alexander
Yet another collaboration Sir Elton John has done this year, the legendary musician teamed up with Years & Years' Olly Alexander to perform a show-stealing cover of Pet Shop Boys' classic "It's a Sin." The stage transformed into a massive maze of EDM dancers and drag queens, while the song itself is a tribute to the LGBTQ+ community persevering through the AIDS epidemic.
Olivia Rodrigo
Rising teen pop singer Olivia Rodrigo performed her hit single "drivers license" for the crowd. The vulnerable act comes just before the release of Rodrigo's first album, SOUR, which will be out May 21.
Dua Lipa
Just like at this year's Grammy Awards, pop princess Dua Lipa took home some wins at the BRIT Awards. She received awards for Best British Album and Best British Female Solo Artist. And just like at the Grammys, Dua gave a visually stunning live performance. Singing a medley of her greatest hits off Future Nostalgia, her performance opened at a tube station, had several colorful neon lights, and featured a horde of talented dancers.
The Weeknd
Last night, The Weeknd won the BRIT Award for Best International Male Solo Artist. Teamed with Oneohtrix Point Never, he performed his After Hours hit "Save Your Tears." The song has come back into popularity recently following The Weeknd's remix of the song with Ariana Grande. While Ariana wasn't present at the BRIT Awards, The Weeknd's stormy rendition of the song was enough to captivate the crowd.
Griff
The BRIT Award's Rising Star recipient Griff performed her song "Black Hole" in an empty portion of London's O2 arena. Griff eventually joined her bandmates at the front of the stage, where a gaping black hole was projected on the screen behind her.
Arlo Parks
Acclaimed new artist Arlo Parks got much-deserved recognition last night when she received the award for Breakthrough Artist. She gave an emotional yet calming performance of her song "Hope," which touched on themes of depression and the coronavirus pandemic. She even gave a spoken word section of the song towards the end, and covered the stage with several sunflowers.
Headie One
Headie One did a medley of songs from his album, Edna. He opened his performance with the AJ Tracey collaboration “Ain’t It Different.” The U.K. rapper then did “Princess Cuts” with Young T and Bugsey.
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Article Image: A smartphone showing the BRIT Awards logo. (rafapress via DepositPhotos.)
