Alex Warren’s BRITs orchestral 'Ordinary' lifts his UK profile even after missing International Song prize
alex warren delivered a high-profile moment at the BRIT Awards that underscored how the UK shaped the song's rise: he performed an orchestral version of 'Ordinary' with James Blunt on piano, backed by a string section. The staging arrived after the track lost the International Song of the Year award to ROSÉ and Bruno Mars’ 'APT', yet it followed a year in which 'Ordinary' dominated radio and streaming in Britain.
Alex Warren’s BRITs turn: immediate impact on fans and momentum
Here's the part that matters: the performance reinforced the narrative that UK audiences were central to 'Ordinary' becoming a major international hit. For fans who heard the song most on British airwaves in 2025, the orchestral arrangement and the presence of a veteran like James Blunt signaled both recognition and consolidation of Warren’s crossover profile. The real question now is whether this kind of live showcase will convert awards-season attention into longer-term touring and radio momentum.
How the BRITs night unfolded and where the Alex Warren moment fit
The awards were held at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena on Saturday night (February 28). Alex Warren performed a stirring orchestral rendition of 'Ordinary', accompanied by James Blunt at the piano and supported by a lush string section. Earlier in the show the International Song of the Year prize went to ROSÉ and Bruno Mars’ 'APT', which beat several major hits including 'Ordinary'.
Wider results and headline moments from the ceremony
Olivia Dean emerged as the ceremony’s biggest winner, taking home four gongs including Artist of the Year, Album of the Year and Song of the Year. The Song of the Year award was won by Dean and Sam Fender’s 'Rein Me In'. Other standout performances and tributes included an all-star version of Ozzy Osbourne’s 'No More Tears' led by Robbie Williams, and a Lifetime Achievement Award honoring the late Black Sabbath frontman.
Notable tributes, speeches and collaborations that shaped the evening
Tim Burgess paid tribute to The Stone Roses’ Mani. Mark Ronson, as Outstanding Contribution to Music winner, was joined in a career-spanning medley by Dua Lipa and Ghostface Killah. Wolf Alice’s Ellie Rowsell used her speech to call for further support for the UK’s grassroots music venues, while Geese’s Max Bassin used his moment to attack ICE and call for a free Palestine. Rosalía also delivered a show-stopping performance of 'Berghain' with surprise guest Björk.
Streaming, radio dominance and pre-show context for 'Ordinary'
'Ordinary' had notable commercial markers heading into the BRITs: it was the most-played song on British radio in 2025 and became the longest-running UK Number One by a US artist so far this decade. It was also revealed at the end of 2025 that 'Ordinary' was the most-streamed song of the 2020s over the course of that year, clocking up around 750 million streams. Ahead of his BRITs appearance, alex warren said that the UK is where the song first broke and changed his life last year, and that he was grateful for fans’ support and excited to perform at the BRITs for the first time.
- Performance: orchestral 'Ordinary' with James Blunt on piano, strings backing.
- Venue and date: Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena, Saturday night (February 28).
- Awards note: International Song of the Year went to ROSÉ and Bruno Mars’ 'APT'; 'Ordinary' was nominated but did not win.
- Commercial context: most-played on British radio in 2025; longest-running UK Number One by a US artist this decade so far; ~750 million streams recorded at the end of 2025.
What's easy to miss is that a single televised performance can reframe a song’s narrative even after an awards loss; the staging choices here leaned into orchestral gravitas rather than chart-show flash. Purchases made through affiliate links on the original article page may contribute commissions to that publisher.
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