Olivia Dean's wins push the Brits' Manchester debut into a new, north-focused moment

Here’s the part that matters: olivia dean's sweep at the ceremony reframed the night for artists, audiences and the city itself. Her multiple awards and performance, paired with high-profile arrivals and surprise collaborations, shifted attention squarely onto Manchester and a wider group of winners and guests who felt that shift first. The red carpet and stage acts together made this more than a ceremony — it read like a deliberate statement about place and pop.

Olivia Dean's night reshapes who the ceremony felt made for

Olivia Dean left as the obvious headline: she performed, she won several of the biggest prizes — including artist of the year and album of the year — and overall took home four awards. That haul put her at the center of the evening’s story and amplified the sense that the ceremony’s move north was also a moment for UK artists to be re-celebrated on their own ground. Performers, nominees and a Manchester-leaning guest list were the first to feel that shift.

Red carpet arrivals and standout looks

The red carpet felt catwalk-ready and theatrical. Harry Styles arrived in a disco-approved pinstripe suit; Rosalía, Olivia Dean and others delivered polished, high-fashion moments. Olivia Dean opted for a yellow, floor-length gown aligned with her classic, sophisticated style. Wet Leg matched perfectly as a group, and Kelly and Sharon Osbourne also coordinated their looks. Maya Jama arrived in an all-white glittery dress with a flowing fur shawl; she joked about the Brit Awards moving to Manchester at the same time she did, a coincidence tied in the context to her partner, Rúben Dias. Sombr leaned gothic in a red satin and black lace top with tailored red trousers but left the night empty-handed after nominations for international artist and international song. JADE, who had performed last year in giant angel wings, appeared ethereal again in a voluminous peplum-skirted dress. Rosé, who won international song of the year for APT with Bruno Mars, kept her carpet look simple with ice-blonde hair and a black bow dress.

Awards, surprise performances and tributes that changed the tenor of the show

The evening mixed awards with spontaneous-feeling musical moments. Olivia Dean’s multiple awards sat alongside wins for Sam Fender, Wolf Alice, Lola Young and Dave. Big-stage surprises included Bjork joining Rosalía for one of the night’s standout performances, James Blunt at a piano for Alex Warren, and Dua Lipa arriving on a giant disco ball for Mark Ronson’s celebratory segment tied to an outstanding achievement recognition. Mark Ronson’s medley also featured Ghostface Killah and a cameo from Kasabian frontman Serge Pizzorno, and vocals from the late Amy Winehouse were used for Back To Black and Valerie. The ceremony also included a tribute to Ozzy Osbourne that was accompanied by a message from Dolly Parton.

Manchester, Co-op Live Arena and a 50-year first

For the first time in the awards’ 50-year history the ceremony moved from London to Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena. That venue change was threaded through the night — from the guestlist heavy with Manchester figures to recognition of local music heritage — and framed many of the choices on stage and the guest seating around it. Noel Gallagher was given a special songwriting award in recognition of a back catalogue tied to a summer when Oasis reunited, and he used his moment to acknowledge the band members Bonehead, Guigsy, Tony McCarroll, Alan White, Gem (Archer) and Andy (Bell), while thanking audiences who have kept those songs alive across the last 35 years. His presentation also included a surprise video message from Pep Guardiola encouraging him to share the award with his brother Liam.

Evening highlights — quick notes

• Olivia Dean emerged as the ceremony’s central figure with four awards including best album and artist of the year.
• Fashion and coordination were prominent: matching looks from Wet Leg and the Osbournes, plus strong individual statements from Harry Styles, JADE, Sombr and others.
• High-profile collaborations and surprises — Bjork with Rosalía, Dua Lipa for Mark Ronson, and guest turns from James Blunt — underscored a push toward theatrical, genre-blending moments.
• Noel Gallagher’s songwriting honour, tied to Oasis’s recent reunion and a 35-year retrospective, signaled a nod to legacy within the Manchester-focused ceremony; his segment featured a message from Pep Guardiola.

The real question now is whether this particular blend of awards, fashion and surprise musical pairings will set a template for future ceremonies outside London. It’s easy to overlook, but the sheer range of guests — from Shaun Ryder and Bez to stadium-era figures and contemporary breakout winners — made the night feel intentionally curated for Manchester’s music culture.

Writer's aside: The coordination between red carpet moments and on-stage programming suggested planning that went beyond a one-off location change; viewers and artists both experienced a ceremony with a clear sense of place.