The BRIT Awards 2022: Who is performing, who is nominated and when does it air?

Virgin Radio

8 Feb 2022, 11:26

The biggest night in the UK music calendar is almost here!

A night notorious for big-name performances (and potential for big drama!) is back and for the first time in two years, the show makes its return with a full audience ready to paint the town, and the O2, red. 

For the first time this year, all the categories will be gender-neutral, doing away with the male and female-specific prizes. This change led to the most female nominees in over a decade. 

Here is everything you’ve got to look forward to at the 2022 BRIT Awards tonight: 

Who is nominated? 

Adele, Ed Sheeran, Dave and Little Simz are all up for four prizes each, including Album of the Year, and the new gender-neutral Artist of the Year category. 

It’s hardly surprising that Adele's mega-huge new record, 30, is up for Album of the Year, where it will compete against Little Simz's Sometimes I Might Be, as well as Ed Sheeran's Equals, Dave's We're All Alone In This Together, and Seventeen Going Under by Sam Fender. The Geordie musician has three nominations in total, including Artist of the Year and Best Rock Artist.

Coldplay, London Grammar, and Wolf Alice are among the artists nominated for Group of the Year, while ABBA’s long-awaited return has earned them a nod for Best International Band. Remarkably, it’s the Swedish quartet’s first nomination since the first ever BRITs in 1977

Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, and Taylor Swift are all up for International Artist of the Year. Meanwhile, Tom Grennan, Dua Lipa, and Sheffield artist Self Esteem are also up for awards.

To see the full list of nominations, check our list here. 

Meanwhile, new genre awards Alternative/Rock Act, Dance Act, Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Act and Pop/R&B Act were decided by the public on TikTok for the first time ever. 

Who is performing? 

It’ll be a big night for Adele. Not only is she hoping to pick up one of four gongs, but she’ll also be hitting the stage too. She confirmed the exciting news on her social media, writing: “I’m really happy to say that I am performing at the Brits next week!!”

She’ll be joined by the likes of historic BRIT Awards attendee Liam Gallagher, who is back with brand new single Everything’s Electric. 

Ed Sheeran, Lil Simz, Dave and Holly Humberstone are also on the line-up, alongside Anne-Marie, KSI and Sam Fender. 

One person not making the list this year is Doja Cat, who unfortunately had to pull out of her scheduled performance after a member of her crew tested positive for COVID. 

Who is hosting this year?

Marking a big change for 2022 is the arrival of brand new host Mo Gilligan, who is taking over the reins from Jack Whitehall after 4 years at the helm. 

He confirmed the news late last year and said: “It’s an absolute privilege to host the 2022 Brit Awards. I’m truly honoured to be asked.

“We’re already in the extensive planning stages, and all I can say is, I promise we’re going to give it all we’ve got to create an incredible night for music fans everywhere. Let’s go!”

He will be the first solo Black entertainer to host the event.

Amazingly, Mo will be donating his BRIT Awards fee to a maternity charity that supports Black mothers in the UK. 

He said: “Last year I had the year of my life it was amazing so I’m starting how I finished, I’m starting it by hosting the 2022 @brits award & I’m extremely excited to be donating my @brits fee to @fivexmore_.

“They do amazing work in the community, and when the spotlight is on me it’s only right I shine it on others. Give these ladies a follow to see the amazing work they do for maternal health”

When does it air on ITV?

The BRIT Awards 2022 with Mastercard will take place tonight (Tuesday 8th February) at The O2 arena in London, and exclusively broadcast on ITV and ITV Hub.