The BRIT Awards 2021 go ahead with 4000-strong crowd including key workers!
It was the first major live music event with an audience since March 2020
Last updated 12th Oct 2021
The BRIT Awards 2021 with Mastercard, which took place at London's O2 Arena on Tuesday 11th May 2021, featured an audience of 4,000 as part of the Government's live events pilot scheme.
Audience members who attended the indoor ceremony were not required to socially distance or required to wear face coverings once seated.
They did, however, need proof of a negative lateral flow test result to enter the venue and were required to provide details to NHS Test and Trace and follow Government guidance while travelling.
As part of the 4000 crowd, organisers also gifted 2,500 tickets to key workers from the Greater London area to mark their work through 'the difficult times' of the pandemic.
Dua Lipa, who was nominated, said, "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.
"They are quite simply an inspiration. The Brit Awards are always special and this will truly make it a night to remember.''
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.''
Check out all of the nominations for The BRIT Awards 2021 below:
The announcement came after the Grammy Awards hosted a successful 2021 edition in Los Angeles, which saw nominees and performers, including Harry Styles and Beyonce, attend in person but without a live audience.
Geoff Taylor, chief executive of the British Phonographic Industry and Brit Awards, said, "They will reunite live audiences with the best of British talent for the first time in a year, while providing a vital opportunity to see how we can get large crowds back safely as soon as possible.
"This year's Brit Awards with Mastercard is one of the most significant in the show's history.
"Not only will we be celebrating the brilliant music and artists that have helped us through the pandemic, but we hope it will provide a path for the return of live music that fans and artists have so sorely missed.
"And as a thank-you to the key workers who have kept our country going through the difficult times, we are inviting them to be our audience for the first live performances at The O2 in over a year.
"We're buzzing about the show and working closely with the Government, The O2 and all our partners to ensure all safety measures and guidelines are adhered to.''
Health Secretary Matt Hancock later added, "We continue to take steps to getting back to doing the things we love, whether that's meeting friends and loved ones, or attending live sport and music.
"These planned pilots mean we can gather the necessary evidence to inform our plans for future events, ensuring mass events can take place safely.
"I am enormously grateful for the hard work of scientists and clinicians from across the country, which will mean we can start to enjoy these events again safely.''
The BRIT Awards with Mastercard will took place on Tuesday 11th May 2021 at London's O2 Arena.
Now read:
The BRIT Awards 2021: Nominations revealed
The best performances from The BRIT Awards 2020
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