The BRIT Awards to go ahead with 4000-strong crowd including key workers
As part of Covid event trials
The BRIT Awards 2021 with Mastercard, which is taking place at London's O2 Arena on Tuesday 11th May, will feature an audience of 4,000 as part of the Government's live events pilot scheme, organisers have announced.
Audience members attending the indoor ceremony next month will not be socially distanced or be required to wear face coverings once seated.
They will, however, need proof of a negative lateral flow test result to enter the venue and will be required to provide details to NHS Test and Trace and follow Government guidance while travelling.
As part of the 4000 crowd, organisers are also gifting 2,500 tickets to key workers from the Greater London area to mark their work through 'the difficult times' of the pandemic.
Foo Fighters, Arlo Parks, Biffy Clyro, HAIM and Bruce Springsteen are among the big-name nominees for The BRIT Awards 2021.
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.''
The announcement comes 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.
The BRITs are the latest addition to the Government's Events Research Programme, which is looking at how venues can restart large events and welcome crowds back safely this summer.
The BRIT Awards 2021 nominations:
BRITISH GROUP
Bicep
Biffy Clyro
Little Mix
The 1975
Young T & Bugsey
INTERNATIONAL MALE
Bruce Springsteen
Burna Boy
Childish Gambino
Tame Impala
The Weeknd
BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST
Arlo Parks
Bicep
Celeste
Joel Corry
Young T & Bugsey
INTERNATIONAL GROUP
BTS
Fontaines DC
Foo Fighters
HAIM
Run The Jewels
FEMALE SOLO ARTIST
Arlo Parks
Celeste
Dua Lipa
Jessie Ware
Lianne La Havas
MALE SOLO ARTIST
AJ Tracey
Headie One
J Hus
Joel Corry
Yungblud
MASTERCARD ALBUM
Arlo Parks – 'Collapsed in Sunbeams'
Celeste – 'Not Your Muse'
Dua Lipa – 'Future Nostalgia'
J Hus – 'Big Conspiracy'
Jessie Ware – 'What's Your Pleasure?'
INTERNATIONAL FEMALE
Ariana Grande
Billie Eilish
Cardi B
Miley Cyrus
Taylor Swift
BRITISH SINGLE WITH MASTERCARD
220 Kid & Gracey – 'Don't Need Love'
Aitch & AJ Tracey Ft Tay Keith – 'Rain'
Dua Lipa – 'Physical'
Harry Styles – 'Watermelon Sugar'
Headie One Ft AJ Tracey & Stormzy – 'Ain't It Different'
Joel Corry Ft MNEK – 'Head & Heart'
Nathan Dawe ft KSI – 'Lighter'
Regard & Raye – 'Secrets'
S1mba Ft DTG – 'Rover'
Young T & Bugsey Ft Headie One – 'Don't Rush'
Dua Lipa, Griff, Arlo Parks and Headie One are among the artists scheduled to perform during the ceremony, which will be hosted by Jack Whitehall.
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.''
Screened on ITV, The BRIT Awards with Mastercard will take place on Tuesday 11th May at London's O2 Arena.
Earlier this week, it was announced that a ‘near-normal’ concert with 5,000 attendees will take place in Liverpool.
Headlined by Blossoms and organised by Festival Republic and Culture Liverpool, the event takes place at Sefton Park happens on Sunday 2nd May and - just like The BRITs - fans attending won’t need to wear face masks or socially distance from each other.
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