The BRIT Awards 2021 with Mastercard today confirm that Olivia Rodrigo, the critically acclaimed U.S. singer songwriter whose monumental debut single ‘drivers license’ has been a worldwide phenomenon this year, breaking international streaming and chart records and hitting the No. 1 spot in over 25 countries, will make her debut UK performance at this year’s BRITs. She will join the already-announced Arlo Parks, Dua Lipa, Griff, Headie One and, as revealed yesterday, Rag’n’Bone Man & P!nk with the Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust Choir.
Olivia Rodrigo commented: “I’m so excited that my first time in the U.K. will be spent at The BRITs! My U.K. fans have been beyond supportive of me, and I’m so excited to perform for them on this iconic stage.”
Olivia’s original song ‘drivers license’ debuted at No. 1 on the UK Official Singles Chart in January and held the top spot for nine consecutive weeks, becoming the longest-running Number 1 debut single in the UK for 15 years. In the week following its January 8th release, ‘drivers license’ garnered over 107 million global streams.
‘drivers license’ also holds the record for the most recorded streams in a single day in UK chart history (for a non-Christmas song) with 2.39 million streams, surpassing Ed Sheeran’s ‘Shape of You’. The track has been certified Platinum by the BPI and the companion music video has amassed over 187 million total views.
Named in Variety's “Power of Young Hollywood List 2020,” Olivia has been establishing herself as an exciting talent to watch. She is set to release her debut album, SOUR, on 21st May, a piano-driven, alt-pop collection of songs introducing her unforgettably honest narrative voice and revealing her supreme talent for capturing complex emotions in immediately powerful music.
The BRIT Awards last week announced that it will be the first major indoor music event to welcome back a live audience – with 2,500 tickets gifted by the recorded music industry to frontline heroes and their guests via a ballot (which has now closed). The indoor ceremony and live show will form part of the Government’s scientific Events Research Programme, using enhanced testing approaches to examine how events can take place without the need for social distancing, which means The BRITs, working closely with the Government to adhere to safety guidelines, and as the first live music show at The O2 arena in over a year, will play an important role in paving the way for the return of live music at scale as the UK emerges from the past year’s restrictions.
This year’s BRIT Awards will take place 11th May at The O2 arena, exclusively broadcast on ITV and ITV Hub and hosted by award winning comedian and actor Jack Whitehall.
Nominations were unveiled last month with Celeste, Dua Lipa, Joel Corry and Young T & Bugsey joining Arlo Parks in receiving three nominations each, and Jessie Ware, J Hus, Bicep, AJ Tracey up for two awards as with Headie One.
Griff has already been named as this year’s Rising Star award winner.
Mastercard return as headline partner for the 23rd year, having supported The BRITs for over two decades, bringing cardholders closer to music through a range of priceless experiences - from tickets to the BRITs, or Priceless Surprises with some of the UK’s best loved artists. This year, Mastercard will continue to sponsor the much sought after Mastercard Album award, as well as British Single with Mastercard for the first time and is proud to carry on connecting people to priceless possibilities. Amazon Music is the Official Digital Music Partner for a second year and will host the Official BRIT Awards 2021 playlist as well as sponsor the Male and Female Solo Artist categories.
