For the first time in its 48-year history, the BRIT Awards left London behind and headed north. Manchester’s sparkling Co-op Live hosted the 2026 ceremony on February 28, and the city met the moment with confidence.
The broadcast aired live on ITV and streamed globally, carrying the hum of a crowd that understood exactly what this relocation meant. British music, after all, has always thrived far beyond the capital. The night demanded spectacle, statements and moments that would travel well beyond the arena walls. The opening act made that clear within seconds.
Harry Styles opened the night with the live debut of “Aperture,” the lead single from his upcoming album Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally., due March 6. He began on bleachers flanked by dancers in dark sunglasses and snail-print shirts, then steered the performance into a choir-backed finale.
It marked his first major choreographed stage routine and his first live outing since 2023. The scale felt deliberate, the energy unrestrained, and if this was a preview of his forthcoming residency and tour dates, he has no intention of easing back into the spotlight.
The ceremony balanced spectacle with substance. Olivia Dean, star of the glitzy evening, delivered a pristine take on “Man I Need” before sweeping the night’s major categories, including Song of the Year, Best Pop Act, Album of the Year and Artist of the Year.
Fighting back tears, she nodded to the young performers in the dance pits behind her. “That was me 10 years ago,” she said, later adding, “Pop music is confusing. But it’s about togetherness and looking after each other.”
Rosalía raised the artistic temperature with a dramatic rendition of “Berghain,” joined by orchestra and choir before shifting into pounding techno. The surprise arrival of Björk drew one of the loudest reactions of the night.
Meanwhile, Mark Ronson staged a career-spanning medley as he collected the Outstanding Contribution Award, calling on Ghostface Killah, The Dap-Kings and Dua Lipa for a seamless run through “Ooh We,” “Valerie,” “Dance the Night” and “Electricity.” The medley performance felt grand and celebratory without tipping into nostalgia.
While Wolf Alice leaned into intimacy with “The Sofa,” RAYE paired bite with vulnerability in a two-song medley, and Sombr staged a fake onstage scuffle to inject chaos into “Homewrecker.”
K-pop made its BRITs debut through HUNTR/X, voiced by EJAE, Rei Ami and Audrey Nuna, while Alex Warren tested the room’s devotion to his chart-dominating “Ordinary.”
The night closed on grit and reverence. Robbie Williams fronted a tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne, backed by Adam Wakeman, Robert Trujillo, Tommy Clufetos and Zakk Wylde for a thunderous “No More Tears.” Introduced with words from Sharon and Kelly Osbourne, and a video message from Dolly Parton, the performance honoured a rock titan on home soil.
Manchester stood loud and proud to the very last note.
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