Customer Service Assistant
AJ Handley-Rowe -
10th November 2021
AJ Handley-Rowe -
10th November 2021 BRIT Awards 2026 nominations and first performer announced live in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
The full list of nominations for the BRIT Awards 2026 have been announced today live from Manchester, as the landmark music awards ceremony moves up north for the first time in its 30-year history.
With just weeks to go until the Co-op Live arena hosts one of the biggest nights in music, all eyes are firmly on Manchester.
And now, thanks to a live broadcast from the venue this afternoon, we know exactly who’s up for an award – and have our first live performer confirmed too.
Olivia Dean is set to perform live at the BRIT Awards when they take place in Manchester on Saturday 28 February.
She’s out in front as one of the most-nominated artists too, with five nominations including MasterCard Album of the Year, Song of the Year (for Man I Need), and Artist of the Year.
ADVERTISEMENT
Also coming out on top with five nominations is Lola Young, marking a key moment for the next generation of British talent.
With four nominations, there’s Sam Fender, following on from his Mercury Prize win.
ADVERTISEMENT
And with three nominations apiece is Lily Allen, Wolf Alice, Dave, Fred Again, and Jim Legxacy.
Representing as one of the north’s greatest bands are Sheffield’s Pulp, who have their first BRIT Awards nomination in 30 years.
Other artists to be recognised include Jade, Chapel Roan, Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Little Simz, Skye Newman, Sombr, Wet Leg, and loads more.
The live-streamed announcement has been hosted by Charley Marlowe and Sarah Storey, with artists nominated across 15 categories revealed today at Co-op Live, and viewers given a glimpse inside the new home of the BRIT Awards.
There was also a performance from this year’s Critics Choice winner, Jacob Alon.
The actual awards will take place on 28 February, hosted by Jack Whitehall, with an amazing new trophy designed by Manchester-born designer Matthew Williamson.
Some winners will be determined by public vote, including Song of the Year with Mastercard, and International Song of the Year – voting is open on the BRITs WhatsApp channel and socials from Friday 30 January until Friday 13 February.
Stacey Tang, Chair of the 2026 BRIT Awards Committee and Co-President of RCA Records at Sony Music UK said: “The breadth of artists nominated reflects a thriving year in music and reaffirms that British artists continue to capture imaginations across the globe. I think this list is a powerful demonstration of how vibrant and varied music is right now, with artists across different genres and generations reflecting music that is both commercially successful and has lasting cultural impact.
“At its core, the BRIT Awards exists to celebrate creativity, and these nominations set the stage for an exciting and memorable night.”
BPI Chief Executive, Dr Jo Twist OBE, said: “It’s fantastic to see British talent doing so well across the board, especially a next generation of brilliant artists who have broken through with such impact on the global stage in the past 12 months led by Olivia Dean, Lola Young, Sam Fender, PinkPantheress, Skye Newman, among others – our congratulations to all The BRITs nominees and their labels.
“The BRIT Awards with Mastercard in Manchester will provide a compelling moment for them all to shine brightly and to spotlight the diverse breadth of talent drawn across the UK and internationally.”
The BRIT Awards 2026 nominations in full
Artist of the year
- Dave
- Fred again..
- JADE
- Lily Allen
- Little Simz
- Lola Young
- Olivia Dean
- PinkPantheress
- Sam Fender
- Self Esteem
Group of the year
- The Last Dinner Party
- Pulp
- Sleep Token
- Wet Leg
- Wolf Alice
Album of the year
- Dave – The Boy Who Played The Harp
- Lily Allen – West End Girl
- Olivia Dean – The Art of Loving
- Sam Fender – People Watching
- Wolf Alice – The Clearing
Song of the year
- Calvin Harris & Clementine Douglas – Blessings
- Chrystal & Notion – The Days (Notion Remix)
- Cynthia Erivo (feat. Ariana Grande) – Defying Gravity
- Ed Sheeran – Azizam
- Fred again.., Skepta & PlaqueBoyMax – Victory Lap
- Lewis Capaldi – Survive
- Lola Young – Messy
- Myles Smith – Nice To Meet You
- Olivia Dean – Man I Need
- Raye – Where Is My Husband!
- Sam Fender (with Olivia Dean) – Rein Me In
- Skye Newman – Family Matters
International artist of the year
- Bad Bunny
- Chappell Roan
- CMAT
- Doechii
- Lady Gaga
- Rosalía
- Sabrina Carpenter
- Sombr
- Taylor Swift
- Tyler, The Creator
International group of the year
- Geese
- Haim
- Huntr/x, Ejae / Audrey Nuna/ Rei Ami
- Tame Impala
- Turnstile
International song of the year
- Alex Warren – Ordinary
- Chappell Roan – Pink Pony Club
- Disco Lines & Tinashe – No Broke Boys
- Gigi Perez – Sailor Song
- Gracie Abrams – That’s So True
- Huntr/x, Ejae / Audrey Nuna/ Rei Ami – Golden
- Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – Die With A Smile
- Ravyn Lenae – Love Me Not
- Rosé & Bruno Mars – APT.
- Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild
- Sombr – Undressed
- Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia
Breakthrough artist
- Barry Can’t Swim
- EsDeeKid
- Jim Legxacy
- Lola Young
- Skye Newman
Critics’ Choice
- Jacob Alon (winner)
- Rose Gray
- Sienna Spiro
Best alternative / rock act
- Blood Orange
- Lola Young
- Sam Fender
- Wet Leg
- Wolf Alice
Best pop act
- Jade
- Lily Allen
- Lola Young
- Olivia Dean
- Raye
Best hip-hop / rap / grime act
- Central Cee
- Dave
- Jim Legxacy
- Little Simz
- Loyle Carner
Best R&B act
- Jim Legxacy
- Kwn
- Mabel
- Sasha Keable
- Sault
Best dance act
- Calvin Harris & Clementine Douglas
- FKA twigs
- Fred again..Skepta & PlaqueBoyMax
- PinkPantheress
- Sammy Virji
Read more
- Huge artists announce intimate charity gigs for BRITs Week 26 for War Child
- Manc rock band left ‘broke as f***’ despite just finishing EU arena tour as industry concerns grow
- A$AP Rocky announces huge Manchester gig on new world tour
Featured image: The Manc Group
Five places to watch The Traitors finale live on the big screen in and around Manchester
Danny Jones
With this year’s The Traitors finale just around the corner, Greater Manchester and the rest of the UK are preparing for one very big United Kingdom watchalong, including live viewing parties on the big screen.
Some places showed the grand finale last time around, and with the conclusion of series four fast approaching, even more have organised their own Traitors screenings in central Manchester and further afield, too.
We know plenty of you will be more than happy watching it at home, but there’s something about the idea of watching it in a room with a load of excited people over a few pints that just gets us buzzing.
All that being said, here are some places in town and beyond that are hosting screenings of The Traitors’ grand final this coming Friday, 23 January.
Live screening of The Traitors finale in Greater Manchester
1. Nell’s – Northern Quarter
First up on our list is the pizza palace that is Nell’s, specifically the one located inside beloved neighbourhood bar Common in NQ.
The place will be filling up from 8pm, ahead of the show starting half an hour later, and the full food and drinks menu will be available as normal. It’s selling out fast, so book your spot at ‘the roundtable’ now, whilst you still can.
2. The Cockatoo Club – Gay Village
Heading across the city centre to Gay Village, just a road over from the main throughfare of Canal Street, Richmond St’s Cockatoo Club is also holding a Traitors watch party.
Not only being played on the large projector, but also being hosted by cult favourite drag queen, Annabelle Hecter, this one should be a hoot and a half.
3. Fairfield Social Club – Greengate
Next up is one of the first ones not only to announce this year, but hop on the bandwagon of The Traitors watchalongs to begin with.
Fairfield Social Club (also the home of GRUB) are one of the experts when it comes to events like these, and it’s no surprise tickets are also disappearing rapidly. Find out more down below.
4. Cultplex – Cheetham Hill
Our penultimate spot on the list is fellow royalty when it comes to grassroots events and championing alternative entertainment – they also happen to be the toast of Red Bank.
The Cultplex cinema team are used to smaller screenings, and if anything, this might pull in one of the most mainstream crowds all year, but they always deliver no matter what’s on the box. You can reserve your seats HERE.
5. The Light – Stockport
Last but not least, if you want to see how this season’s drama ends on a REALLY big telly, then you can always book yourself in for a trip to your nearest Light cinema location.
The Stockport branch has great food and drink, comfy recliner seats, plus plenty more – and if you’ve never done one of these live screening events before, this is a great place to start.
Read more:
- Ian McKellen to play legendary Salford artist L.S. Lowry in new BBC documentary
- Package holiday company launches new ‘Beckham Clause’ for family feuds
- An interactive courtroom experience is happening in Manchester – and it’s selling out FAST
For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied)/BBC
More
Audio
Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute
Eats