BRIT Awards will host its first ever fringe festival to showcase Manchester’s rising stars as nominations date is revealed

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For the first time, the BRIT Awards are holding a special event to highlight up-and-coming musicians in Manchester, the city where the awards show is being held this year.

Oh my gosh, you guys, the BRITs are doing this amazing thing called ‘Manchester Seen and Heard’ at the Fringe! It’s all about shining a spotlight on the incredible music scene here in Manchester – the up-and-coming artists, the ones everyone needs to know! And it’s not just a showcase, it’s actually connecting them with people who can really help their careers – labels, managers, the whole industry! I’m seriously buzzing about it – it’s exactly what our local music scene deserves!

Get ready for a fantastic lineup of events! On Friday, February 27th, New Century Hall will host Fringe Lab – a lively day of networking and performances for people in the music industry.

Before the yearly awards show, Brighter Sound is holding workshops and events to help young musicians build successful careers in music.

The BRITs Fringe event will be brought into schools throughout the city to help them support and develop talent in all students.

The date when this year’s crop of nominees will be announced is Wednesday, January 21.

For the first time in its 46-year run, the BRIT Awards announced in June that it would be held outside of London.

Jack Whitehall will host the 2026 BRIT Awards, which are moving to Manchester—a city known for its music and culture. Plus, the iconic BRITs trophy itself is getting a fresh new look.

To celebrate the change, the BRIT Award trophy is getting a new look. It will be made from clear, amber-colored resin instead of its previous solid design.

Local designer Matthew Williamson was enlisted to think up the new design for the trophies.

Matthew described the statue as being made of stylish, amber-colored resin, reminiscent of the golden honey produced by worker bees – a nod to Manchester’s iconic symbol and its history as a major player during the Industrial Revolution, and representing much more than just that era.

As a lifestyle expert, I’m always thrilled to see incredible artistry celebrated, and I’m so excited to be joining a truly amazing group of designers! I’m honored to be considered alongside such iconic creatives as Gabriel Moses, the brilliant mind behind last year’s trophy, and true legends like Dame Vivienne Westwood, Tracey Emin, and Yinka Ilori. It’s a real privilege to be part of this creative lineage.

The Brit Awards, Britain’s biggest music event, will be held in Manchester next year. Organizers plan to move the show to different cities across the UK in the years to come.

The company plans to expand its reach to new audiences in different areas and move away from being seen as focused solely on London.

The BRIT Awards, famous for memorable moments like Geri Halliwell’s Union Jack dress and Madonna’s fall during the 2015 show, has taken place at London’s O2 Arena every year since 2011.

They’ve performed at many famous venues over the years, including Earl’s Court, the London Arena, Alexandra Palace, Hammersmith Apollo, the Dominion Theatre, the Royal Albert Hall, the Grosvenor Hotel, and their very first location, Wembley Conference Centre.

As a longtime follower of this ceremony, I truly believe this relocation marks its biggest change yet – a completely new and impactful chapter in its history. It feels like a real turning point!

As a huge BRITs fan, I’m so excited about the news that the show is moving some of its events to Manchester! It’s fantastic that more people, especially those from Manchester and the surrounding areas, will now have a better chance to be part of the biggest night in British music. It really opens things up and makes the whole experience more accessible.

Recently, many people have felt it was time to move the awards ceremony, following the examples of events like The Mercury Prize and The MOBO Awards. This is the first time the event won’t be so focused on London, benefiting both those nominated and their fans.

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2026-01-14 20:19