The 2021 BRIT Awards made history on Tuesday night as Little Mix became the first ever girl band to win British Group.
Just days after announcing their pregnancies, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Perrie Edwards took to the stage with Jade Thirlwall to accept the coveted prize, paying tribute to former bandmate Jesy Nelson while also vowing to ‘stick together’ after overcoming the ‘misogynistic’ music industry.
It came as Jack Whitehall kicked off the long-awaited return of live music as stars including Coldplay and Dua Lipa took to the stage to perform in front of an audience of key workers.
At last! The 2021 BRIT Awards made history on Tuesday night as Little Mix became the first ever girl band to win British Group
After stunning in their elegant white ensembles, Little Mix took to the stage to accept their prize, with Leigh-Anne beginning: ‘We have been together for 10 years it’s been the best years of our life, we’ve had so much fun we’ve made so many memories, we want to thank your incredible fans, Jesy.
‘It’s not easy being a female in the UK pop industry, we’ve seen the misogyny, dominance and lack of diversity, we’re proud of how we’re stuck together and we’re using our voices more than ever.’
Jade added: ‘This award isn’t just for us, it’s for Spice Girls, Sugababes, All Saints girls aloud, all the incredible girls bands we love you.’
Ahead of Coldplay’s opening performance, host Jack received a grilling from the Line Of Duty duo Vicky McClure and Martin Compston about who would be kicking off the ceremony.
But despite channelling their AC-12 alter-agos, the funnyman failed to spill the beans, meaning the pair had to call in reinforcements – Handforth Parish Council’s Jackie Weaver.
Despite Jack’s insistence she ‘didn’t have the authority,’ Jackie furiously terminated their video chat, before beginning the live awards show.
Coldplay then kicked off the show with an incredible pre-recorded performance on the River Thames.
The band, fronted by lead singer Chris Martin, 44, performed their new single Higher Power from a barge in front of the O2 ahead of the live event, presented by Jack Whitehall.
Tell us! Ahead of Coldplay’s opening performance, Jack received a grilling from the Line Of Duty duo Vicky McClure and Martin Compston about who would be kicking off the ceremony
Going on all out for the opening act, Coldplay opted for futuristic dancing holograms and sparkling fireworks for the showcase, which was filmed outside the O2 last month.
The performance included the use of jaw-dropping holograms, adding to the sci-fi theme after the band unveiled their new single last week by streaming it on board the Internation Space Station.
The band’s stellar showcase then moved into Dua’s jaw-dropping performance, which began as she made her way to the O2 on the Underground at Charing Cross station.
The hitmaker delivered a medley of her hits Physical, Pretty Please, Hallucinate and Don’t Start Now in a Union Jack inspired ensemble, after channelling Amy Winehouse with her eye-catching look on the red carpet.
Up first was the award for British Breakthrough Artist
The 2021 Brit Awards marked the first major indoor music event in over a year as bosses released 2,500 free tickets to key workers.
The Brit Awards took place in front of a live audience of 4,000 people at London’s The O2 six days before the next phase of lockdown lifts.
The ceremony broadcast live on ITV, celebrated the return to live music and nominee Dua Lipa promised those attending that it would ‘be a night to remember’.
The indoor ceremony and live show formed part of the Government’s scientific Events Research Programme, and will use enhanced testing approaches to examine how events can take place without the need for social distancing after all restrictions are lifted on June 21.
Working closely with the Government to adhere to safety guidelines, this means The BRITs, was the first live music show at The O2 in over a year, with 4,000 tickets being up for grabs- just one fifth of the venue’s 20,000 capacity.
The BRITs will play an important role in paving the way for the return of live music at scale as the UK emerges from the past year’s restrictions.
Audience members were not socially distanced or required to wear face coverings in the arena, but were required to follow existing Government guidance when travelling to the venue and adhere to rules set out by the event organisers.
Among the rules, attendees had to provide proof of a negative lateral flow test result to enter the venue.
As part of the wider scientific research on the trial events, attendees were also be asked to take a test after the event to gather further evidence on the safety of indoor settings, reduced social distancing and the removal of non-pharmaceutical interventions like face coverings.
The show awarded Taylor Swift – who made history as the first ever female to be given BRITs Global Icon Award at the ceremony.
The 11-time Grammy Award winner, 31, joined former winners Elton John, Robbie Williams and David Bowie in being given the award in recognition of her impact on music across the world and incredible repertoire and achievements to date.
In numbers provided by Official Charts Company, Taylor is the UK’s biggest selling artist of the year to date in 2021 and has sold over 114m albums worldwide with total global audio + video streams reaching 78b.
Taylor is the only artist in history to have four consecutive albums – Speak Now, RED, 1989 and reputation – sell over one million copies in their week of release.
She is also the only artist to have nine albums each sell at least half a million copies in a single week, with Fearless, Speak Now, RED, 1989, reputation, Lover, folklore, evermore, Fearless (Taylor’s Version).
Taylor was also nominated for a second BRIT award this year for International Female Solo Artist, her sixth BRIT nomination to date.
The Icon gong is the highest accolade given and is reserved for truly exceptional artists – following on from Elton, Robbie and David.
Nominations were unveiled in March, with Celeste, Dua Lipa, Joel Corry and Young T & Bugsey joining Arlo Parks in receiving three nominations each, and Jessie Ware, J Hus, Bicep, AJ Tracey up for two awards as with Headie One.