Rosalia and Björk Deliver Theatrical ‘Berghain’ Debut at 2026 BRIT Awards in Manchester

rosalia brought the live debut of “Berghain” to the 2026 BRIT Awards on February 28, joining a night that opened with Harry Styles and ended with major wins for Olivia Dean. The performance, which featured a surprise turn from Björk and full orchestral backing, arrived at the ceremony’s first night in Manchester’s new Co-op Live Arena and set a theatrical tone ahead of the artist’s impending world tour.

Co-op Live Arena Hosts 2026 BRIT Awards

The ceremony aired on February 28 from Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena, with comedian Jack Whitehall returning to host for a sixth consecutive year. Performers across the broadcast included Harry Styles, Rosalia, Olivia Dean, and Raye. The venue change framed a show that mixed intimate moments and big production numbers under one roof.

Rosalia and Björk Bring ‘Berghain’ to the Stage

rosalia opened “Berghain” in an all-white look and delivered an operatic German passage over a symphonic arrangement. The Heritage Orchestra provided the live instrumental foundation while a half-circle choir in blazers flanked the stage. Midway through, the choir parted to reveal Björk for her verse—the first time the collaborators sang the song together onstage. Björk wore an avant-garde ensemble topped by a beaded headpiece that appeared to hover above her, and the number finished with a full-on dance sequence as heavy synths, strobe lights, and electronic beats evoked the club the track references.

Lux Album, London Symphony Orchestra and the March Tour

Since rosalia released Lux in November 2025, she has offered only a handful of live performances from the record, previously presenting “Reliquia” and “La Perla. ” Lux was recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra, and because the BRITs staging leaned so heavily on orchestral color, many interpret the set as indicating she may incorporate orchestral forces into her live shows. The timing matters: her Lux world tour is scheduled to begin March 16 in Lyon and will span 42 stops across Europe, North America, and South America—an itinerary that will test how theatrical elements from awards stages translate to arena production.

Harry Styles Opens with First Live Performance of “Aperture”

Harry Styles opened the ceremony with his first-ever live rendition of “Aperture, ” the lead single off Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally. He performed in high-waisted pinstripe pants, a dress shirt and tie, surrounded by dancers in jeans, black graphic T‑shirts and sunglasses. A choir and live band augmented the arrangement as the track built; the set ended with a playful cool-down—neck rolls, shoulder shakes and jazz hands. Though Styles was not nominated this year, he appeared multiple times in sketches: Whitehall played a fan who wept at finding Styles’ dressing room and later fended off a male pursuer modeled after the one in the singer’s “Aperture” video.

Alex Warren, James Blunt and Other Standout Acts

Whitehall introduced Alex Warren as “extraordinary, ” underscoring Warren’s dominance with his hit “Ordinary”: 30 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100, more than 2 billion streams and the U. K. ’s longest-running No. 1 in a decade. Warren sang center stage into a standing mic while James Blunt accompanied him on grand piano; he closed by thanking his wife. The trio behind KPop Demon Hunters—Ejae, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami—performed “Golden, ” prompting enthusiastic crowd reactions and high chorus notes, though the song lost International Song of the Year to Bruno Mars and Rosé’s “APT. ” Commentators noted that “Golden” still stands to win an Academy Award at next Sunday’s Oscars.

Olivia Dean’s Wins and Mark Ronson’s Tribute

Olivia Dean was the evening’s big winner, taking home four trophies, including Artist of the Year and Album of the Year. Earlier honors included PinkPantheress being named Producer of the Year—the youngest artist and the first woman to receive that award. Mark Ronson accepted Outstanding Contribution to Music and followed a pre-recorded tribute montage featuring testimonies from artists such as Christina Aguilera and Q‑Tip. Ronson performed a hits sequence that opened between vinyl decks with Ghostface Killah on “Ooh Wee, ” then moved to piano to accompany a recording of Amy Winehouse’s “Back To Black, ” and in his acceptance speech reflected on writing that track with Winehouse and the trajectory it provided his career.

What makes this notable is how the night blended pop spectacle and orchestral drama, signaling an appetite for hybrid productions as artists prepare for global touring schedules.