The BRIT Awards 2021: Everything you missed from the big night

What an amazing show!

Author: Alex RossPublished 4th Jan 2022

Although the ceremony was postponed to May 2021 from its regular February date, The BRIT Awards 2021 with Mastercard took place on the evening on Tuesday 11th May, and it certainly didn't disappoint!

Although it may have looked a little different to normal, organisers were determined for the show to go ahead and there was even 4000 fans in attendance as part of the Government's live events pilot scheme.

With Jack Whitehall returning to host the show for the fourth year running, there was epic performances, amazing red carpet looks and massive wins for certain artists.

When were The BRIT Awards 2021?

The 41st BRIT Awards took place on Tuesday 11th May 2021. Although the ceremony normally takes place in February, organisers took the decision to move it back amid the global pandemic. Geoff Taylor, Chief Executive, BPI & BRIT Awards Ltd said, "We want to make sure that The BRITs delivers the outstanding production levels, superstar performances and live excitement that make it the biggest night in music.

"We believe that the best way to achieve this in 2021 is to move the show back a few months to May, and we are already at work planning a spectacular event that will remind us how important music has been in getting us all through these difficult times. I would like to thank our labels, ITV, AEG and Mastercard and all our partners for their fantastic support."

Who won a BRIT Award in 2021?

British Group: Little Mix

Nominees:
BICEP
BIFFY CLYRO
LITTLE MIX
THE 1975
YOUNG T & BUGSEY

Breakthrough Artist: Arlo Parks

Nominees:
ARLO PARKS
BICEP
CELESTE
JOEL CORRY
YOUNG T & BUGSEY

Female Solo Artist: Dua Lipa

Nominees:
ARLO PARKS
CELESTE
DUA LIPA
JESSIE WARE
LIANNE LA HAVAS

Male Solo Artist: J HUS

Nominees:
AJ TRACEY
HEADIE ONE
J HUS
JOEL CORRY
YUNGBLUD

British Single with Mastercard: Harry Styles - 'Watermelon Sugar'

Nominees:
AJ TRACY AND AITCH ft TAY KEITH: 'RAIN'
220 KID AND GRACEY: 'DON'T NEED LOVE'
DUA LIPA: 'PHYSICAL'
JOEL CORRY ft MNEK: 'HEAD & HEART
HARRY STYLES: 'WATERMELON SUGAR'
HEADIE ONE ft AJ TRACEY AND STORMZY: 'AIN'T IT DIFFERENT'
NATHAN DAWE ft KSI: 'LIGHTER'
REGARD AND RAYE: 'SECRETS'
S!MBA ft DTG: 'ROVER'
YOUNG T & BUGSEY ft HEADIE ONE: 'DON'T RUSH'

International Female Solo: Billie Eilish

Nominees:
ARIANA GRANDE
BILLIE EILISH
CARDI B
MILEY CYRUS
TAYLOR SWIFT

International Male Solo: The Weeknd

Nominees:
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
BURNA BOY
CHILDISH GAMBINO
TAME IMPALA
THE WEEKND

International Group: HAIM

Nominees:
BTS
FONTAINES D.C.
FOO FIGHTERS
HAIM
RUN THE JEWELS

Mastercard Album: Dua Lipa - 'Future Nostalgia'

Nominees:
ARLO PARKS: 'COLLAPSED IN SUNBEAMS'
CELESTE: 'NOT YOUR MUSE'
DUA LIPA: 'FUTURE NOSTALGIA'
J HUS: 'BIG CONSPIRACY'
JESSIE WARE: 'WHAT'S YOUR PLEASURE'

BRITs Global Icon: Taylor Swift

American artist Taylor Swift become the first ever female winner of the BRITs Global Icon award, following in the footsteps of Elton John, Robbie Williams and David Bowie.

Rising Star: Griff

Nominees:
PA SALIEUA
RINA SAWAYAMA

The nominations for The BRIT Awards 2021 were announced via a live stream at 4pm on Wednesday 31st March. The likes of Dua Lipa, Harry Styles, Little Mix and Joel Corry all picked up noms.

For 2021, there was a new team behind choosing the BRIT nominations. Rebecca Allen and Selina Webb said of the new team, "However the world is looking come May, our ambition is not for a 'normal' BRITs but a show which truly reflects the spirit of the past year.

"Working alongside the 2021 BRITs Committee, we have an exceptional creative team with Sally, Es and Yinka to deliver the best and most exciting show possible - a BRITs about collaboration, culture and community as well as a celebration of some of the brilliant music which is helping us all through."

The BRIT Awards 2021 red carpet:

Dua Lipa


Little Mix


Dua Lipa


AJ Tracey


Olivia Rodrigo


Griff


Dua Lipa


Billy Porter


Maya Jama


AJ Odudu


People Just Do Nothing cast: Allan Mustafa, Hugo Chegwin, Steve Stamp and Asim Chaudhry


Arlo Parks


Arlo Parks


Rag'n'Bone Man


Joel Corry


Olly Alexander


Mabel


Sheridan Smith


Young T & Bugsey


Young T & Bugsey


Boy George


Headie One


Jack Whitehall


Olivia Rodrigo


Olivia Rodrigo


Celeste


HAIM


Jessie Ware


AJ Tracey


Rag'n'Bone Man


Adam Lambert


RAYE


RAYE


RAYE and Regard


Olly Alexander


Regard and RAYE


Olly Murs


MNEK


Where were The BRIT Awards 2021 held?

Just like it has been since 2011, the 2021 BRITs were held at The 02 Arena in London.

It was announced in mid-April that a 4000-strong crowd, made up of 2500 key workers, will also be permitted as part of the Government's live events pilot scheme.

Audience members attending the indoor ceremony will not be socially distanced or be required to wear face coverings once seated, however they will need proof of a negative lateral flow test result to enter the venue and will be required to provide details to NHS Test and Trace and follow Government guidance while travelling.

Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, added, "The BRITs are always a big night in the music calendar, but this year's awards will be particularly special. Music connected us when we were separated by this pandemic and now it's going to help bring us back together again.''

Who presented The BRIT Awards 2021?

In March it was announced that comedian Jack Whitehall would once again host the BRIT Awards. The 2021 ceremony will be the fourth time in a row he's hosted!

Jack said of winning the gig again, "I must be doing something right to be invited back to host the BRITs! After the events of the past year, I think we can all do with a big night of music and entertainment, and I'm excited to be part of the show on 11th May.”

Clara Amfo and Maya Jama hosted the Backstage show. The BRITs Backstage show aired on ITV2 and is now available on the ITV Hub.

Who performed at The BRIT Awards 2021?

Nominated artists Dua Lipa, Arlo Parks, Headie One and Rising Star Award winner Griff all performed on the night. Rag'n'Bone Man and P!nk also performed alongside the Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust Choir. Olivia Rodrigo made her debut UK performance and Coldplay openened the show from a pontoon on the Thames.

Sir Elton John and Olly Alexander also delighted fans with a very special duet, performing a cover of Pet Shop Boys' 'It's A Sin'.

Dua Lipa

Dua Lipa was the first artist announced to perform at this year's ceremony. She said, "I am so excited to be returning to perform for you all at The BRITs this year. It's going to be truly special to be back on stage in the UK."

Griff

2021 Rising Star Award winner Griff will make her BRITs debut! She said, "Guys, pray for me!! I'm going to be in a room full of the biggest and best artists in the world, singing my little heart out. I can't wait!!!!"

Arlo Parks

Three-time nominated star Arlo Parks will also perform on the night. She said, "To be able to share my work and vision with such a massive audience is a dream. I'm excited to create something that feels immersive and inclusive."

Headie One

British rapper Headie One will perform at this year's event, he said, "It's my first live performance in 18 months, couldn't think of a better place to do it."

Rag'n'Bone Man and P!nk

Following the release of their epic collab 'Anywhere Away From Here', it was announced that Rag'n'Bone Man and P!nk will be performing at the 2021 ceremony, alongside the Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust Choir.

Olivia Rodrigo

Record-breaking US artist Olivia Rodrigo will be making her debut UK performance at this year's BRIT Award ceremony. The 18-year-old took the world by storm earlier this year with her debut single 'drivers license', which broke international streaming records as well as securing the Number 1 spot in over 25 countries.

Coldplay

Coldplay have been confirmed as the opening act for the BRIT Awards 2021. In what will be their first TV performance in over a year, the band will perform on a pontoon on the Thames near The O2.

The Weeknd

Global superstar The Weeknd has also been added to the amazing line-up! Due to current restrictions, The Weeknd's exclusive performance will be filmed remotely.

Who won the BRITs Rising Star Award 2021?

The Rising Star Award, previously known as the Critics' Choice, was won by English singer and songwriter Griff.

Speaking about her win, Griff said, “In my head I'm still screaming from the phone call when I found out. It's honestly such a miracle: how on earth did we manage to win a BRIT and break through during a pandemic?"

Griff, who won the award ahead of Pa Salieu and Rina Sawayama, will be recognised as the voice behind the moving Disney Christmas advert from December 2020.

The BRIT Awards 2021 trophy

Unlike previous years, the BRIT winners received two trophies on the night, with winners encouraged to give away the smaller trophy to somebody else - possibly a family member, friends, neighbours, fellow artists or key workers.

The two new trophies, designed by Es Devlin OBE and Yinka Ilori MBE, marks the BRITs' first collaborative double-trophy design, with Es and Yinka following in the footsteps of the likes of Dame Vivienne Westwood, Sir Philip Treacy, Tracey Emin, Anish Kapoor, Dame Zaha Hadid and Sir David Adjaye.

Scroll through to see who won at the BRIT Awards 2020:

Best New Artist: Lewis Capaldi

Nominees:
Aitch
Dave
Mabel
Sam Fender

Female Solo Artist: Mabel

Nominees:
Freya Ridings
FKA Twigs
Charli XCX
Mahalia

Male Solo Artist: Stormzy

Nominees:
Harry Styles
Lewis Capaldi
Dave
Michael Kiwanuka

International Male Solo Artist: Tyler, The Creator

Nominees:
Bruce Springsteen
Burna Boy
Dermot Kennedy
Post Malone

Best Group: Foals

Nominees:
Coldplay
Bring Me the Horizon
D-Block Europe
Bastille

International Female Solo Artist: Billie Eilish

Ariana Grande
Camila Cabello
Lana Del Rey
Lizzo

BRITs Rising Star: Celeste


Song of the Year: Lewis Capaldi - 'Someone You Loved'

Ed Sheeran & Justin Bieber - 'I Don't Care'
Mabel - 'Don't Call Me Up'
Calvin Harris & Rag'N'Bone Man - 'Giant'
Dave featuring Burna Boy - 'Location'
Mark Ronson featuring Miley Cyrus - 'Nothing Breaks Like a Heart
AJ Tracey - 'Ladbroke Grove'
Tom Walker - 'Just You and I'
Sam Smith featuring Normani - 'Dancing with a Stranger'
Stormzy - 'Vossi Bop'

Album of the Year: Dave - 'Psychodrama'

Stormzy - 'Heavy is the Head'
Michael Kiwanuka - 'Kiwanuka'
Lewis Capaldi - 'Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent'
Harry Styles - 'Fine Line'

Read more:

Little Mix's biggest awards and nominations through the years 🏆

The BRIT Awards 2020: All of the winners

Billie Eilish tears up with emotional acceptance speech at the BRITs 2020 ❤️

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