BRIT Awards to host in-person ceremony with first indoor live acts for more than a year

The event will be part of the government’s pilot scheme, which is building evidence to help restart live shows after lockdown.

The BRIT Awards will have an audience of 4,000 people at its O2 Arena ceremony next month, making it the first major indoor, and in-person, live music event in more than a year.

The awards will be part of the government’s pilot scheme, which means attendees will not need to socially distance or wear face coverings while inside the venue.

However, audience members will have to prove they have tested negative for COVID-19 before they arrive, as well as take a test after the event and provide details for Test and Trace, to build up evidence on the safety of indoor venues.

The BRIT Awards 2021 will be hosted by comedian Jack Whitehall, and will feature performances from the likes of Dua Lipa, Arlo Parks and Rising Star Award winner Griff.

Some 2,500 of the spaces available for the show will go to key workers in Greater London, who can apply for the free tickets on the event’s website from Thursday.

The tickets have been gifted by record labels as a way of showing their appreciation “for their remarkable hard work and selfless commitment.”

The evidence gathered at the event will build on the work being done at similar events, such as the World Snooker Championships in Sheffield, and an outdoor concert in Liverpool’s Sefton Park.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden, said: “The BRITs are always a big night in the music calendar, but this year’s awards will be particularly special.

“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.

“Music connected us when we were separated by this pandemic, and now it’s going to help bring us back together again.”

Performer and BRIT nominee Dua Lipa 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.”

The 2021 Awards are the BRITs’ most diverse in its history, and features more women than men nominated in the album category for the first time.

Arlo Parks, Dua Lipa and Celeste have all bagged three nominations each, as have Joel Corry, and Young T and Bugsey.

If you’re not one of the 4,000 ticket-holders, you will be able to watch the show on ITV on 11 May.