Some of the biggest acts from across the UK music scene have gathered together for one of the first major music events in over a year.
The BRITS 2021 were completely free from masks and social distancing, with an audience of 4,000 mostly key workers – the biggest indoor event of its kind in more than 12 months
The awards are part of the pilot scheme which is being used to provide “key scientific data and research” into how small and large-scale events could be permitted to safely restart in line with the roadmap out of lockdown.
Those attending the BRIT Awards needed proof of a negative lateral flow test result to enter the venue and were be required to provide details to NHS Test and Trace and follow government guidance while travelling.
TRNSMT Festival Director Geoff Ellis praised the UK’s biggest music ceremony as a positive note for 2021’s festival calendar as fans look ahead to TRNSMT, taking place in Glasgow from 10th – 12th September this year:
Our congratulations to all the winners and nominees, especially TRNSMT acts Griff, AJ Tracey and KSI who we can’t wait to bring to Glasgow Green in September.
Fans across the country will be delighted tonight to have witnessed the BRIT Awards run as a test event, paving the way for events to return across the country from live music to performing arts. We send a huge congratulations to the teams working so hard behind the scenes in London to ensure the ceremony ran safely and smoothly and we’re hopeful this is the beginning of a return to normality and of course, a return to live music. Our hopes are that the data and success of this event and the others which have taken place over the past couple of weeks will be considered by the Scottish Government when mapping out the return to live entertainment in Scotland.
Culture Minister Caroline Dinenage said:
Music has been a great source of comfort and connection during the pandemic.
Tonight we’ll bring the industry back together with 2,500 key workers to celebrate another year of brilliant British music and look ahead to the return of fans to live performances.
While venues have been closed, we helped the live music sector with £250 million in grants from our Culture Recovery Fund going to more than 2,000 organisations.
But now we’re preparing to restart live performances and as part of the Events Research Programme, this year’s Brits will test how we can welcome back bigger crowds to enjoy more fantastic performances safely.
Find out how Scotland is transitioning out of lockdown, including the framework that guides decision making at https://www.gov.scot/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-scotlands-route-map/