British chart sensation Olivia Dean radiated confidence as she took to the stage at Manchester's Albert Hall on Thursday night, delivering a captivating warm-up performance ahead of the highly anticipated 2026 BRIT Awards. Dressed in a striking off-the-shoulder green satin gown with a dramatic thigh-high split, she showcased her dynamic stage presence and vocal prowess to an enthusiastic audience.
Star-Studded Lineup for Manchester's BRIT Awards Extravaganza
Olivia Dean is set to perform for a star-studded crowd at Manchester's Co-op Arena on Saturday night, joining a formidable lineup of British and international talent. The 2026 BRIT Awards mark a historic shift, as the ceremony moves out of London for the first time in its 48-year history, with Manchester hosting the prestigious event for the next three years under Sony Music UK's stewardship.
Record-Breaking Nominations and Female-Led Categories
Olivia Dean leads this year's nominations with an impressive five chances at winning a gong, tying with Lola Young for the most nods. This represents a significant turnaround for the awards show, which has faced criticism in recent years for gender imbalance in nominations. Following the removal of gendered categories in 2022, the 2026 event sees 70 percent of nominations going to female or non-binary artists, a dramatic increase from 2023 when the Artist of the Year shortlist was entirely male.
Comeback queen Lily Allen has been recognized in three categories, while Raye - who made BRITs history in 2024 with the most nominations and wins in a single year - joins the performing lineup alongside Harry Styles and Wolf Alice. The final performance announcement earlier this week confirmed Raye's participation, adding to an already stellar roster that includes EJAE, Audrey Nuna, REI AMI, Alex Warren, Mark Ronson, ROSALÍA, and SOMBR.
Manchester's Cultural Significance and Industry Support
Jason Iley MBE, Chairman and CEO of Sony Music UK & Ireland, expressed enthusiasm about the move to Manchester, stating: "Moving to Manchester, the home of some of the most iconic and defining artists of our lifetime, will invigorate the show and build on the BRITs legacy of celebrating and reinvesting in world-class music. Hosting the show in Manchester, with its vibrant cultural history, perfectly captures the spirit and energy of the BRIT Awards."
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, celebrated the decision as "a massive coup for Greater Manchester," emphasizing that "after 48 years, it is great that this prestigious global event is about to arrive in the UK capital of music and culture." The move to Manchester's state-of-the-art Co-op Live venue represents a strategic shift for the awards ceremony, potentially broadening its appeal and cultural impact beyond the traditional London-centric focus.
As anticipation builds for Saturday's main event, Olivia Dean's confident warm-up performance has set the stage for what promises to be a landmark celebration of British musical talent, with Manchester providing the perfect backdrop for this historic transition in the awards' legacy.
