Brit Awards to have live audience as part of Covid event trialson April 22, 2021 at 12:04 am

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

The audience will not have to wear masks or be socially distanced, as part of a government trial.

Jack Whitehall presenting the Brit Awards in 2020

image copyrightGetty Images

The Brit Awards will go ahead with a live audience next month, as part of the government’s research into how live events might work after the pandemic.

The ceremony will take place at London’s O2 Arena on 11 May and will be fronted by comedian Jack Whitehall.

The 4,000-strong audience won’t need to wear masks or be socially distanced, but will need a negative Covid test.

It’s the latest addition to the Events Research Programme, which examines how venues and events can reopen safely.

The scheme also includes a Liverpool nightclub that will host 3,000 people per night on 30 April and 1 May, and a 5,000-capacity gig in the city on 2 May.

It also includes sporting spectacles like the FA Cup final, which will have 21,000 spectators four days after the Brits, on 15 May.

Most tickets – 2,500 of the 4,000 – will be given to key workers from London “to thank them for their remarkable hard work and selfless commitment”. The capital’s key workers can apply for free tickets via the Brit Awards website from Thursday.

The other 1,500 places will go to the nominated artists, their managers and teams plus other members of the music industry and sponsors.

All audience members will be asked to present proof of a recent negative lateral flow test to enter the venue. Once inside, it will be as “normal” as possible, including serving food and alcohol.

Attendees will also be asked to take a test after the ceremony to help gather further evidence on the safety of indoor settings, reduced social distancing and the absence of face coverings.

Audience members will also have to provide contact details for NHS Test and Trace so everyone can be traced in the event of an audience member receiving a positive test after the event.

The O2 has a capacity of roughly 20,000, but only 4,000 people will be at the Brits.

However, this is not because of social distancing, but is due to some sections of the arena being closed off for the event.

The ground floor will largely be used for staging, and will also be where the nominees and their guests sit during the ceremony.

As a result, the key workers and their guests will be on level one of the arena. The higher level will be largely closed off.

Dua Lipa at the Brit Awards in 2019

image copyrightGetty Images

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “The Brits are always a big night in the music calendar, but this year’s awards will be particularly special.

“They will reunite live audiences with the best of British talent for the first time in a year, while providing a vital opportunity to see how we can get large crowds back safely as soon as possible.”

Dua Lipa, Headie One, Arlo Parks and Griff will be among the performers at the ceremony.

Parks and Lipa have three nominations each, as do dance producer Joel Corry and grime duo Young T & Bugsey.

“This has been a long tough year for everyone and I’m delighted the night will honour the key worker heroes who have cared for us so well during that time and continue to do so,” Lipa said in a statement.

“They are quite simply an inspiration. The Brit Awards are always special and this will truly make it a night to remember.”

The ceremony will be broadcast live on ITV.

line

Follow us on Facebook or on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts. If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news@bbc.co.uk.

- Advertisement -

Discover

Sponsor

Latest

What is behind Alex Salmond’s new legal fight with the Scottish government?on November 24, 2023 at 8:43 pm

The ex-first minister is believed to be seeking damages of up to £3m over events which go back five years.The ex-first minister is believed...

Spare review: The weirdest book ever written by a royalon January 10, 2023 at 3:31 pm

Prince Harry's book, with sex, drugs and monarchy, reaches parts never seen before in a royal memoir.Image source, ReutersBy Sean CoughlanRoyal correspondentThis must be...

Managerless Aberdeen salvage point as St Johnstone stay bottomon February 15, 2022 at 10:42 pm

Managerless Aberdeen salvaged a point with a contentious penalty to prevent St Johnstone moving off the foot of the Scottish Premiership.

Solar panel sales boom as energy bills soaron August 27, 2022 at 11:57 pm

More people are turning to renewable energy as a way to cut energy costs.Image source, Getty ImagesThe energy bills crisis has prompted a big...

Crystal Palace 1-3 Chelsea: Conor Gallagher scores twice as Blues increase pressure on Roy Hodgsonon February 12, 2024 at 11:24 pm

Conor Gallagher scores twice against his former side as Chelsea come from behind to beat Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.Conor Gallagher scores twice against...