Harry Styles and Dua Lipa Shine at the 2026 BRIT Awards

Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena hosted the 2026 BRIT Awards on Saturday evening, with performances from Harry Styles and Dua Lipa taking center stage. The event also celebrated producer Marc Ronson and honored several artists with prestigious awards.

Harry Styles’ Triumphant Return

Harry Styles made a highly anticipated return to the stage after a three-year career break, marking his first red carpet appearance in that time. Fans reacted enthusiastically on social media, praising his energetic performance and choreography.^[4] He performed a routine complete with “spirit fingers” and was joined by a large group of dancers.^[4] Styles opted for a stylish shirt and tie, a departure from his usual sequined stage attire.^[4]

Dua Lipa’s Surprise Performance

Dua Lipa delivered a surprise performance, descending onto the stage via a large disco ball during a celebration honoring producer Marc Ronson.^[2] She performed “Dance The Night By Barbie,” while other musicians paid tribute to the late Amy Winehouse.^[2] Lipa showcased a striking look, beginning in a furry jacket before revealing a black playsuit and knee-high boots.^[2]

Other Notable Performances and Winners

Olivia Dean, fresh off winning Best Song of the Year for “Rein It In” (with Sam Fender), performed her solo track “Man I Demand.”^[4] Raye received a standing ovation from the Manchester audience following her record-breaking six awards at the 2024 ceremony, performing “Where’s My Husband” and her new release, “Nightingale Lane” from her upcoming album, This Music May Contain Hope, slated for release on March 27.^[4]

Icelandic icon Björk made a surprise appearance during Rosalía’s performance, joining the Spanish singer for a rendition of their song “Berghain.”^[4] The performance, described by host Jack Whitehall as a mix of “Last Night Of The Proms” and “Pacha in Ibiza,” featured both opera and techno elements.^[4]

Other performers included Ed Sheeran & Stormzy, Calvin Harris & Dua Lipa, Kylie & Justin Timberlake, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, Sam Fender, Lola Young, and Wolf Alice.^[4]

Award Recipients

Several artists were recognized with awards during the ceremony:

• Artist of the Year: Olivia Dean^[4]
• Group of the Year: Wolf Alice^[4]
• Song of the Year: Sam Fender with Olivia Dean – “Rein Me In”^[4]
• International Artist of the Year: Rosalía^[4]
• Songwriter of the Year: Noel Gallagher^[4]
• Producer of the Year: PinkPantheress^[4]
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Ozzy Osbourne^[4]
• BRITs Critics’ Choice: Jacob Alon^[4]

Addressing Gender Representation

The 2026 BRIT Awards saw a shift towards greater gender representation, with 70 percent of nominations being female or non-binary.^[4] This follows criticism of previous years, particularly 2023, when the Artist Of The Year shortlist was entirely male.^[4]