The 2021 BRIT Awards kicked off in spectacular fashion on Tuesday night, with Jack Whitehall taking to the stage to mark the return of live music after weeks in lockdown.
The ceremony, taking place at London’s O2 Arena, kicked off with stellar performances from Coldplay and Dua Lipa in front of a crowd of key workers who have spent months saving lives at the Covid pandemic.
Dua certainly delighted the crowd of 4,000 guests with an energetic medley of hits that began on the London Underground before launching into a stellar dance routine on the stage.
Back on stage at last! The 2021 BRIT Awards kicked off in spectacular fashion on Tuesday night, with Jack Whitehall taking to the stage to mark the return of live music after weeks in lockdown
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 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.