Rising stars Arlo Parks and Olivia Rodrigo are among the artists performing to 4,000 guests at Tuesday's Brit Awards, where soul singer Celeste and hit machine Dua Lipa are both tipped to win big. The ceremony is the biggest night in British pop music, and will welcome thousands of live guests for the first time in two years as part of the government's pilot scheme easing coronavirus restrictions.
Audience members at London's giant O2 Arena will not need to socially distance or wear face coverings once seated, but will need to produce a negative test result for the virus. British rapper Rag'n'Bone Man will also perform live with the choir from Britain's National Health Service (NHS), while veteran US star Pink will join the performance remotely from the United States.
"Having people attend this special evening makes me really excited for touring to come," said Rag'n'Bone Man. "I'm grateful that Pink is able to join from across the pond... and the NHS Choir are sounding amazing."
More than half of the audience will be made up of key workers from London, honouring them for their work during the pandemic. The annual ceremony, which normally takes place in February, was postponed by three months because of safety and logistical concerns due to the virus.
Superstar singer Dua Lipa, best known for global hit singles "Don't Start Now" and "New Rules", will also perform during the ceremony. "This has been a long, tough year for everyone and I'm delighted the night will honour the key worker heroes who have cared for us so well during that time and continue to do so," said the singer.
"They are quite simply an inspiration. The Brit Awards are always special and this will truly make it a night to remember." She is nominated for three awards, including the coveted Best Album prize, which has four women nominated on the five-act shortlist for the first time.
Emerging singer and poet Arlo Parks, Celeste, rap duo Young T & Bugsey, and DJ and producer Joel Corry have also received three total nominations across different categories. Taylor Swift will become the first female artist to win the global icon Brit Award, for what organisers said was "her immense impact on music across the world and incredible repertoire and achievements to date".
