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Brit Awards 2026: A night of triumphs, surprises and standout performances
The 2026 Brit Awards in Manchester delivered a mix of emotional wins, audacious performances and unexpected moments, with Olivia Dean emerging as the night's biggest victor. The pop star secured all four awards she was nominated for, including Artist of the Year and Best Album, while Rosalía's dramatic stage presence stole the show.
Olivia Dean's historic sweep
Olivia Dean dominated the ceremony, clinching Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Pop Artist and Best Album for The Art of Loving. Visibly overwhelmed, she took the stage three times, delivering a heartfelt but brief acceptance speech: "It takes a lot of good people to make a good artist... I don't know what else to say. Thank you, bye!"
Her success marked a rare clean sweep at the awards, underscoring her rising influence in British pop.
Rosalía's show-stopping performance
Spanish artist Rosalía, less familiar to some in the audience, delivered one of the night's most electrifying moments with her rendition of Berghain. The performance blended thunderous strings, Wagnerian vocals and a guest appearance from Björk-dressed in what appeared to be the entrails of a blue alien. The set culminated in a club-style breakdown, leaving the crowd mesmerized.
Rosalía later won Best International Artist, dedicating the award to "all my peers who also make music in Spanish."
Harry Styles opens with precision
Harry Styles kicked off the show with a performance of Aperture, dressed in a Chanel pin-striped suit reminiscent of a school uniform. Despite the restrictive fit, he executed the song's complex choreography flawlessly, signaling a shift toward a clubbier sound for his upcoming era. Host Jack Whitehall quipped that the act was "the musical equivalent of sitting on the washing machine."
Host Jack Whitehall's sharp wit and controversies
Whitehall, hosting the Brits for the sixth and final time, kept the audience laughing with his unfiltered humor. He joked about Robbie Williams' "more comebacks than his hairline," referenced Lily Allen's scathing album about her divorce from David Harbour, and took a dig at Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham over his exclusion from a recent by-election.
A remark about Peter Mandelson was cut from the televised broadcast, highlighting the event's tightrope between edgy humor and broadcast standards.
Unscripted moments and tributes
A staged "stage invasion" during Sombr's performance of Undressed initially sparked panic, but was later revealed to be part of the act. The crowd's collective sigh of relief was palpable as the singer resumed his set.
Robbie Williams paid tribute to Ozzy Osbourne with a gritty rendition of No More Tears, backed by Metallica's Robert Trujillo and Ozzy's longtime guitarist Zakk Wylde. The performance, curated by Sharon Osbourne, was praised for its emotional depth.
Mark Ronson's emotional speech
Producer Mark Ronson received the Outstanding Contribution Award and dedicated it to Amy Winehouse, recalling the night they wrote Back to Black 20 years ago. "The music I made with Amy is the reason any of them know who I am anyway," he said, referencing his collaborations with artists like Lady Gaga and Dua Lipa.
Manchester's musical legacy takes center stage
The Brit Awards' first relocation outside London in its 49-year history was met with mixed reactions. While the move aimed to celebrate Manchester's rich musical heritage-home to Oasis, Joy Division and the Hacienda-only one nominee, Chrystal, hailed from the city. Noel Gallagher, awarded Songwriter of the Year, joked, "I haven't written a song in two years," acknowledging the honor's symbolic nature.
Wolf Alice used their acceptance speech for Best Group to highlight the struggles of grassroots venues, noting that 30 independent spaces closed last year. "It shouldn't feel like a golden ticket, but a viable career position for anyone," said frontwoman Ellie Rowsell.
Red carpet reflections and final thoughts
Self Esteem, nominated for Artist of the Year, humorously dismissed her chances: "I've not bolstered the UK economy at all." Meanwhile, Alex Warren redeemed himself after a technical mishap at the Grammys, delivering a flawless performance of Ordinary with James Blunt and the Hallé Orchestra.
As the night wrapped up, Dean summed up the spirit of pop music: "It's about togetherness and making people feel good." With the Brits set to inspire future talent outside London, the ceremony left a lasting impression on Manchester's cultural landscape.
