WHY I JUST LOVED THE BRIT AWARDS THIS YEAR
Yes, the BRIT Awards can sometimes be a cringe-fest, and let’s be honest—Jack Whitehall is no Ricky Gervais, no matter how hard he tries. But, without a doubt, he’s a far better choice than some of the past hosts. One thing is certain: the BRITs always pack a punch.
Who could forget 1996, when Jarvis Cocker crashed the stage during Michael Jackson’s Earth Song? Jarvis, who was arrested for the stunt, is sadly remembered more for that moment than his music. And Michael? Well… let’s leave that discussion for another time. Then, of course, there was Madonna’s infamous tumble off the stage in 2015—proof that even the Queen of Pop isn’t immune to a high-fashion mishap or falling iff her high horse.( we all love her )
But as I settled in to watch the 2025 BRIT Awards, it dawned on me just how much incredible talent we have in this country. How the hell do we not run away with the Eurovision crown every year? It took a Canadian to win last time, though, let’s be honest, the brilliant Sam Ryders was robbed.
This year’s BRITs, however, were a whole new ball game. From start to finish, it was pure magic, and I realized just how out of touch I am with some of today’s hottest artists.
THE HIGHLIGHTS
JACK WHITEHALL—ACTUALLY FUNNY?
Believe it or not, Jack Whitehall was actually hilarious this year. From start to finish, he nailed it. His monkey joke about snorting PG Tips? Priceless. And his parents on the red carpet? Pure comedy gold.
Equally amusing was Danny Dyer’s voice—so artificially butch you’d think he’d accidentally wandered into a gay orgy and slipped on the lube and was trying to convince everyone he was straight.
THE PERFORMANCES
The real magic, though, was in the performances. There wasn’t a single act I watched that didn’t blow me away—and I say that as someone with pretty eclectic taste in music.
The production was simply stunning. Kicking off with Sabrina Carpenter was a bold choice, even if she visually borrowed inspiration of 90% of her act from Madonna (who, let’s not forget, also did the kilted guards routine a while back).
Jade Thirlwall, after winning Best Pop Act, delivered an iconic performance of Angel of My Dreams. Though, who on earth thought turning her into Gemma Collins with a blonde wig was a good idea? It distracted from what was her first solo BRITs performance since stepping away from Little Mix.
The undeniable star of the night was Charli XCX. I’ll admit, I only really knew of her because she’s engaged to George Daniel from The 1975 (don’t scream at me), but after doing some homework—wow. What an exciting and uniquely talented artist. Her album BRAT is already shaping up to be legendary. It’s a shame she didn’t perform, but honestly, watching her down espresso martinis, sip bubbly, and cuddle up to a hunk? A girl after my own heart.
THE SHOW-STEALERS
Teddy Swims could wear his old bedding on stage, and I’d still be mesmerised by that voice. #Awesome. The award for humility, however, goes to Myles Smith—definitely one to watch.
Stormzy who did not perform Ezra Collective delivered brilliant performance, proving yet again why they’re some of the best musicians out there. But guys, let’s dial down the God talk a bit—unless, of course, He can explain why Trump is still looming over the White House and why the world is in the state it’s in. A simple “ta” would suffice.
Sam Fender? What a Northern powerhouse. Pure talent, down-to-earth, and humble—just what we love to see. The Last Dinner Party also delivered an incredible performance, proving they are a force to be reckoned with.
And last, but certainly not least, a shoutout to the absolutely addictive Lola Young, who performed Messy—a song that will no doubt become an anthem for a generation. I truly cannot wait to see what she does next; she’s got me hooked.
FINAL THOUGHTS
This year’s BRITs were, without a doubt, the best yet. A true celebration of the sheer amount of talent we have in this country. We are incredibly lucky to have these artists pushing the boundaries of music and performance.
Here’s to 2026!
2Shades Magazine 