Coldplay open the show at The BRIT Awards 2021

Coldplay were confirmed as the opening act for The BRIT Awards 2021 around a week before the event. Speculation was rife the week before that the band would be taking to the stage, and BRITs bosses confirmed that they'd be opening the show on 4th May.

In what was their first TV performance in over a year, the band - Chris Martin, Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland and Will Champion - performed from a pontoon on the Thames near The O2 with an utterly incredible lights and fireworks show.

Coldplay perform 'Higher Power' at The BRIT Awards 2021

The news came after the band's announcement that they would be releasing a brand new single, 'Higher Power', on Friday 7th May - and thankfully, gave fans an incredible performance of the new track at the ceremony.

Known for their quirky promotional style, Coldplay put up a series of billboards around the UK in a seemingly alien language, even sending emails out to their fanbase to promote 'Alien Radio FM'. These were all translated over the weekend to reveal 'Higher Power' - the name of their new single.

Check out the best red carpet snaps from The BRITs 2021:

Read more:

The BRIT Awards 2021: Everything you need to know

BRIT Awards Critics' Choice: Winners who became huge stars

The most successful BRIT Award winners of all time

How to listen to Forth 1:

For great music and incredible competitions tune into Forth 1 on 97.3, DAB, online, on the Rayo app, or say ‘Play FORTH 1’ to your Smart Speaker. You’ll find new favourites every day and hear the songs you've missed from the last few years. From Boogie In The Morning, to Garry and Steven getting you home after work, we play you the biggest hits from the world's hottest artists.

• BRITs
• The BRIT Awards
• the brit awards 2021