Entertainment
Coldplay ‘to open Brit Awards 2021 with epic performance on the River Thames of new single Higher Power’
Coldplay are reportedly set to open the Brit Awards with a bang as they take to the water for an iconic performance.
The band will play their new single Higher Power – the lead single from the album Music Of The Spheres – on the River Thames to kick off the ceremony on May 11.
Members Chris Martin, Jon Buckland, Guy Berryman and Will Champion were spotted filming a performance on a barge on the river on Thursday night, which is believed to be for the epic opener.
It will apparently be a visually stunning moment too with colourful pyrotechnics lighting up the sky around them.
A source told MailOnline that the group had been ‘planning this performance for months’.
‘They wanted nothing more than to return with new music at The BRIT Awards but due to coronavirus – and the risk of bad weather – some parts of the ceremony have been pre-recorded,’ they explained.
A Brits insider added: ‘It will be a performance people talk about for years’.
The Brits will host a 4000-person audience when it takes place in May, with no masks or social distancing required as part of the Government’s live events pilot scheme.
All attendees will need proof of a negative lateral flow test result to enter London’s O2 Arena, and will be required to provide details to NHS Test and Trace and follow Government guidance while travelling.
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.
Dua Lipa, Griff, Arlo Parks, Olivia Rodrigo and Headie One are among the artists scheduled to perform during the ceremony, which will be hosted by Jack Whitehall.
Women are dominating this year’s Brit Awards with Little Mix and Dua Lipa leading the charge in the nominations.
Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande and Billie Eilish are among those nominated for international female solo artist, and the Mastercard album category was a celebration of female artists with Arlo Parks, Celeste, Dua Lipa, and Jessie Ware nominated alongside J Hus.
There is also a sweet twist to the ceremony as winners will be given two trophies, a larger colourful one and a silver statue half the size.
Winners will be encouraged to give the smaller trophy to ‘someone they consider worthy’.
Metro.co.uk has contacted the Brits for comment.
The Brit Awards will take place on May 11 at the O2 Arena in London.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
