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Ronson’s DNA can be found across much of the most popular music of the last 20 years, be it his song-writing, his multi-instrumentalist performances, or his production that has earned him a hoard of prizes from the industry. He’s won 10 Grammy awards, including Best Album with Amy Winehouse’s 2006 classic ‘Back To Black’, as well as Record of the Year for both Winehouse’s 2006 ‘Rehab’ and for his own 2014 release ‘Uptown Funk’ featuring Bruno Mars. His work on film soundtracks have also received accolades from the movie business – ‘Shallow’ from A Star Is Born won Best Original Song categories at the Academy Awards and Golden Globes in 2018, and his score for Greta Gerwig’s 2023 Barbie flick received several considerations.

Prior to this weekend, he’d won twice at the BRIT Awards, first as Male Solo Artist of the Year in 2008, and again for British Single of the Year with ‘Uptown Funk’ in 2015. For this year’s blockbuster gala at Manchester’s Co-op Live arena, Ronson was presented his Outstanding Contribution to Music Award by grime star Skepta, following a short clip from other musical greats singing his praises. The list of artists included Tame Impala mastermind Kevin Parker, Raye, Christina Aguilera and Dave Grohl.

In his acceptance speech, he placed particular emphasis on how his work with the late Amy Winehouse, who tragically died in 2011, was instrumental in shaping his career, having had his first major hit as lead artist with their cover of The Zutons’ ‘Valerie’ in 2007. ‘Back To Black’ and its sombre title track written by the pair celebrate their 20th anniversary this year, and Ronson recounts the first time she came to his New York studio on the 6th of March 2006. “We went upstairs and we talked for four hours, and that night we wrote ‘Back To Black’ and that day changed my life forever”. Speaking on the endless list of famous artists he’s gone on to work with since, he says “I know the music I made with Amy is the reason that any of them know who I am anyway.”

Following the presentation, he took to the stage again shortly afterwards for a performance of his biggest tracks backed by a live band. Ronson opened the set at the DJ decks, mixing while Ghostface Killah rapped their 2003 hit ‘Ooh Wee’, before leading into a spoken-word interlude of Winehouse talking about her work with him. From there he moves into ‘Back To Black’ playing a piano with a TV atop showing Winehouse’s music videos, and a rousing rendition of ‘Valerie’. With the brass band members fully warmed up, Ronson moved over to electric guitar as they broke into ‘Uptown Funk’, finishing as Dua Lipa descended to the stage on a gigantic disco ball. She went through ‘Dance The Night’ which earned the pair a Golden Globe nomination via the Barbie soundtrack, and their 2020 hit ‘Electricity’.

The 46th annual BRIT Awards was a spectacular occasion start to finish, packed with glitz, glamour, and a bucketful of drama. The full event is available on-demand from ITVX, as well as highlights of the evening uploaded to the BRITs official Youtube channel.

The BRIT Awards, the UK’s foremost celebration of our music industry, have announced their shortlist for this year’s edition. The event, which has run from 1977, will be held in Manchester’s Co-Op Live arena on Saturday the 28th of February.

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This year marks the first time that the ceremony has been held outside London in its 48-year history. The BRITs, organised by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), is the biggest event in the British music calendar, a party rife with live performances, drama, and most importantly the coveted awards.

The categories on offer range from best acts within various genres, best song, best album, and the pinnacle – Artist of the Year. In addition, while the spotlight is mainly on British talent, they offer accolades for international acts. Last year’s ceremony saw performances from Sam Fender, Teddy Swims and Sabrina Carpenter. Charli XCX took a clean sweep of the top three awards, claiming British Album, Single and Artist of the Year titles with her summer-sensation album ‘BRAT’.

For this year’s batch of nominees, there are a few familiar faces, mixed with an overwhelming number of new ones. For the sound of 2025, two names are synonymous with it – Olivia Dean and Lola Young. The pair are both nominated for best artist and single honours among others, with Dean having an album nomination for ‘The Art Of Loving’, and an extra song nomination for her contribution to Sam Fender’s hit ‘Rein Me In’, while Young is competing for the best breakthrough and rock/alternative brackets. Both artists attended the BRIT school, an institution for the creative arts with no attendance fees.    

Sam Fender himself is up for four categories, with high odds on for best album following his achievement of the Mercury Prize for 2025 album ‘People Watching’. Another of last year’s triumphs was the dramatic return of Lily Allen, whose empowered release ‘West End Girl’ has earned her three nominations.

The statement from the BRITs also highlighted a few of the curveballs in this years awards, namely the two tracks that kicked off cultural obsessions from film, now receiving recognition in the Best Song categories. ‘Defying Gravity’ performed by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, was the standout song from the Hollywood adaptation of The Wizard Of Oz stage-show ‘Wicked’, which released in 2024. Running for the International Song Of The Year is ‘Golden’, taken from the Netflix animation ‘KPop Demon Hunters’, which was a pop-culture phenomenon for all of last year.

Other notable cameos in the list include Turnstile and Geese picking up debut nominations under international group, Chappell Roan’s ‘Pink Pony Club’ aiming for best international song six years after its original release, and Jarvis Cocker’s band Pulp receiving their first nomination since 1996. This year’s roster is also the most progressive one since the BRITs began. Their announcement claims “Nearly 70% (69.2%) of the nominations feature women and non-binary people combined as solo artists or in mixed gender groups. This is the highest representation of women and non-binary people yet.”    

 

 

 

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The ceremony can be viewed on British TV on the 28th of February, with ITV broadcasting it, and with comedian Jack Whitehall taking hosting duties. So far the list of live performances is a mystery, aside from nominee Olivia Dean who has been confirmed to play. Fans at home can cast their vote on Song of the Year and International Song of the Year via Whatsapp from the 30th of January, closing on the 13th of February. The full list of awards and nominees can be found on the BRIT Awards’ website.

The winner will be revealed next month and all three acts were required to be British and not have yet achieved a Top 20 album or more than one Top 20 single as of October 31.

These artists will follow in the footsteps of an impressive alumni of former winners and nominees who have gone on to be successful after being shortlisted, including Dua Lipa, Adele, Florence + The Machine, Sam Smith, Griff, Flo, Jorja Smith, The Last Dinner Party, and this years winner Myles Smith.

Jacob Alon first found their voice in the Scottish folk community, with raw storytelling helping shape their debut album ‘In Limerence’, which was released in May this year. This album made them one of the most singular new artists in Britain, and earned themselves a place on the 2025 Mercury Prize shortlist for Album of the Year. Earlier this year Jacob became the first Scottish winner of BBC Introducing’s Artist of the Year, and was nominated for the Scottish Album of the Year Award, as well as being named one of BBC Radio 6 Music’s Artist of the Year. Due to their lyrics that consist of dark humour, they have build a reputation for performanes that feel intimate and electrifying.

Rose Gray burst into the year with her debut album ‘Louder, Please’, which shifted the trajcetory of her career. After years of songwriting, this was her breakthrough. She has now performed around Europe, sharing the stage with acts such as Confidence Man and the Sugababes. She has embraced the freedom to explore dance-driven music and has collaborated with creatives such as Justin Tranter, who has written songs for artists such as Britney Spears and Selena Gomez.

SIENNA SPIRO has become a new voice in British music, with her soulful tone and storytelling. Her debut single ‘NEED ME’ was released last year, and immediately showed the emotional depth to her music. Her debut EP ‘SINK NOW, SWIM LATER’ futher showcased her ability to translate real experiences into storytelling, with the fan-favourite song ‘MAYBE’, that drew praise from artists such as SZA, Finneas, and Mark Ronson. Alongside her sold out UK and European headline tour, she has also stepped onto major stages at All Points East and BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend.

The BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard will take place next year on February 28 at Manchester’s Co-op Live, which will mark the first time the event has been held in the city and outside of London, and will be broadcast on ITV and ITVX.