When are the Brit Awards 2021 and who is performing?

The Brit Awards are almost upon us and although this year’s show may not quite be business as usual, it will once again have a live audience.

Taking place later than previous years – which have hosted the event in February rather than May – the Brits 2021 will be part of a government-led research programme into how large-scale events can begin to host crowds safely again.

This year’s show promises to have all the amazing performers and must-see moments of years past, albeit with a slightly smaller audience in the venue on the night.

Among the crowd will be 2,500 key workers who will have been able to get their hands on tickets via a ballot as a thank you for their work on the frontline of the coronavirus pandemic.

As well as the winners getting a coveted award on the night, they will also be given a second statue to pass on to someone ‘worthy’ to share the love too.

When are the Brit Awards 2021 and how can you watch them?

The Brit Awards will take place on Tuesday, May 11 from 8pm and it will be available to watch on ITV.

It will once again be hosted by comedian Jack Whitehall.

Who is performing at the Brit Awards 2021?

Coldplay have been announced to open the show and will perform their new song Higher Power aboard a pontoon on the River Thames.

Other performers on the night are Dua Lipa, Arlo Parks, Headie One, P!nk and Olivia Rodrigo.

Rag ‘n’ Bone Man will also play his latest single Anywhere Away From Here, with the Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust Choir.

This year’s Rising Star Award winner, Griff, is also set to perform, as well as The Weeknd after he boycotted The Grammys.

Sir Elton John and Years Years’ Olly Alexander dropped some teases over the weekend, leading to speculation that they will also be performing at the ceremony tonight.  

Will there be an audience at the Brit Awards 2021?

Yes, the Brit Awards will host an audience of 4,000 at London’s O2, with 2,500 of the tickets allocated to key workers through a ballot system.

The event is hosting an audience as part of government-led research into getting large-scale events back up and running and although the audience won’t have to wear masks or socially distance, they will have to have proof of a negative lateral flow test and will be asked to take a test after the event for research purposes.

Brit Awards 2021: Who are the nominees?

Overall, there are 11 awards being handed out tonight, with 10 of those being competitive categories celebrating both British and International talents.

Arlo Parks, Dua Lipa, Celeste, AJ Tracey, Young T & Bugsey, Joel Corry and Headie One lead the nominations with three nods each.

J Hus, Bicep, and Jessie Ware follow with two, while artists including Little Mix, Bicep, Biffy Clyro, The 1975, and Young T & Bugsey will be competing for best British group.

Harry Styles’ Watermelon Sugar is nominated for best British single, along with the likes of Dua Lipa’s Physical, Don’t Need Love by 220 Kid and Gracey, Rain by Aitch and AJ Tracey ft Tay Keith, and Ain’t It Different by Headie One ft AJ Tracey and Stormzy.

In the international sections, BTS, Haim, and Foo Fighters are among those battling it out for best international group.

Childish Gambino, Tame Impala, and The Weeknd are in contention for international male solo artist, while nominees for best international female solo artist include Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, and Taylor Swift.

Swift will also be making history tonight by becoming the first female artist to receive the global icon award.

Griff has already won the rising star award, beating Rina Sawayama and Pa Salieu.

The Brits Award will air on ITV tonight from 8pm.

MORE: Who has won the most Brit Awards? The biggest Brit winners of all time

MORE: ‘I didn’t expect any of this’: Arlo Parks stunned by three Brit Awards 2021 nominations as they put uni plans on hold

Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Share your views in the comments below.