The awards featured performances from Mabel, Harry Styles, Lizzo, Billie Eilish, Dave, Stormzy, Lewis Capaldi, and closing the show was legends Rod Stewart, joined by Ronnie Wood and Kenny Jones.
The build-up to the show saw the celebrities take to the red carpet and speak to BBC Radio 1’s Clara Amfo and Alice Levine. Lewis Capaldi took to the stage in a black shirt and trousers to perform one of his newest songs ‘Bruises’ before being reminded that he had been nominated for 4 BRIT awards leading up to the main event.
There were several interviews with the stars, including Mabel who was nominated for Best Female Artist, and she admitted that she was very excited for performances from Stormzy, Lewis Capaldi and Billie Eilish (and that she would probably fangirl all night).
Sir Tom Jones said that for anyone who was associated with the awards should feel privileged, as it’s the biggest British event showcasing the amazing talent from the British people along with other amazing superstars from around the world. Rising star and newly named ‘Critics Choice Award’ winner Celeste performed one of her original singles ‘Strangers’, explaining that sometimes people in your life can sometimes disappear, and that’s just life. She was also very excited for Harry Styles to perform.
Aitch represented the London boys at his first-ever BRIT awards and said that he hadn’t planned any speeches and that even if he doesn’t win an award, just getting the recognition for the music he is creating is good enough. Whilst Stormzy added that the music he writes is just how he feels, and he’s going to put his whole soul into his performance as he does with his music.
From watching the performances at these years Brits, it went either of two ways. The song being performed was either an emotional hit that when listening to it being sung, it allowed you to take the time to listen to the lyrics and really soak in the overall atmosphere of the song or simply ones that got you up dancing.
Lewis Capaldi was the second act to perform after opener Mabel with a performance of his most famous hit, ‘Someone You Loved’, which rocked him to stardom. This was one of the more emotional performances of the night just because it is an extremely raw and emotional song. It was also this song that made Capaldi with the award for Best Song of the Year.
His speech after accepting the award for this hit was one of the more comical events that stood out from the night as he made a slight dig at his ex-girlfriend Paige Turley, who is currently appearing Love Island. He said: “A lot of people think this song is about my ex-girlfriend who you can now see every night on Love Island, but it is actually about my grandmother who sadly passed away a few years ago. And I hope to God that ITV don’t contact her to be a on a reality dating TV show.”
Billie Eilish, as well as winning ‘Best International Female’, performed the long-anticipated Bond theme for the next film instalment ‘No Time To Die’ in a world exclusive performance. Its meaningful and alluring atmosphere clearly shows that it’s the right fit for a Bond theme as it leads all of us listeners into a world of mystery, describing the aura of James Bond himself. To make her performance even more mystical, Eilish was joined by her brother Finneas and Hans Zimmer.
Lizzo and Stormzy were the acts that brought energy and exhilaration to their performances. Not only was it her powerful presence that made her performance, but alongside this her powerful voice made her songs sound even better and showed why she is an inspiration to so many. Stormzy, who is known to give performances that bring important social issues to the forefront, did this once again. Through all his performances, Stormzy has this power over people to get them up, which may not get them dancing but empowers them to stand up in solace with what he is representing.
The final award of the night, ‘Album of the Year’, was presented by 18-year-old superstar Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas. Nominations included Harry Styles’ ‘Fine Line’, Michael Kiwanuka’s ‘Kiwanuka’, Lewis Capaldi’s ‘Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent’, Stormzy’s ‘Heavy is The Head’ and Dave’s ‘Psychodrama’.
The winner was Dave with his remarkable album ‘Psychodrama’ and as he accepted the award gave a shout out to all the ‘young kings and queens’ who are aiming for what they want to achieve. He noted that he was very thankful for all the support from his family, his fans and more importantly the others in the grime community who have supported him this far in his music career.
Ultimately, the Brits proved as successful as they always are which was full of joy, tears and laughs. And most of all, it truly celebrated the amazing and great music we have and will continue to have for many more years.
Here’s to next year!
Words: Katie Green & Brandon Boyd