For a brief period at the close of the 20th century, British pop stars were notorious for their outrageous antics at the Brit Awards, leaving a lasting impression on our cultural memory. Iconic moments such as Jarvis Cocker storming the stage during Michael Jackson’s rendition of “Earth Song” in 1996, Chumbawumba dousing John Prescott with a bucket of water in 1998, and Robbie Williams engaging in a public spat with Liam Gallagher in 2000 epitomized a time when the Brits were synonymous with unpredictable rock ‘n’ roll chaos. This nostalgia fuels our pride in British music’s rebellious spirit, contrasting sharply with the polished performances of our American counterparts.
However, this nostalgia is part of the reason why the Brit Awards now feel like a letdown. Over the decades, as music consumption has evolved and celebrity mischief has fallen out of fashion, the awards have lost their significance, devolving into a corporate gathering for industry insiders and a perfunctory event for stars who merely stop by when convenient. Once the centerpiece of music culture, the show has transformed into a bland promotional affair where genuine excitement is rare, with only sporadic instances of boldness, such as rapper Dave’s poignant commentary on then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s racism in 2020.
This year’s ceremony is set for Saturday, featuring performances from artists like Sabrina Carpenter, JADE, Teddy Swims, and Myles Smith. Yet, you might be forgiven for not even realizing that “the biggest night in British music” is approaching; the spectacle has gradually slipped into obscurity.
It’s disheartening, as the Brit Awards should evoke feelings of excitement, prestige, and significance. This event ought to be one of the most illustrious occasions in the entertainment calendar of a nation that boasts some of the world’s most talented musicians. It should honor trailblazers and emerging stars alike, showcasing unique performances that captivate and inspire us while reflecting the state of British arts and our collective valuation of them. However, with viewership plummeting to just 2.5 million last year, we must ask: what power does this platform hold, and what value does an award truly carry?
Young audiences, who are the primary consumers of the music nominated, remain disengaged, and the music industry seems unfazed; it now thrives on streaming numbers and marketing campaigns rather than critical recognition. Raye’s historic win at the Brits last year, where she took home six awards, was a rare instance where a fresh, deserving talent broke the cycle of predictable winners, which often include the same few big names.
In 2023, Harry Styles took center stage; in 2022, it was Adele and Ed Sheeran; Dua Lipa was celebrated in 2021, and Lewis Capaldi in 2020. While these artists are undeniably talented, their dominance contributes to the perception that the Brit Awards have devolved into a mere popularity contest.
This can be attributed largely to the voting process. Each year, a vast Voting Academy of 1,200 is assembled from across the media—of which I have had the privilege to be a part. However, with no requirement for members to familiarize themselves with every nominee, voters tend to favor familiar names or those who possess significant cultural relevance rather than exploring the full spectrum of talent. The resulting “shortlists” are so extensive that being nominated seems to lose its meaning, with categories featuring up to 15 nominations for both Song and International Song of the Year, and 10 for Artist and International Artist of the Year. It raises the question: what is the true value of a nomination?
From this point, the Voting Academy votes for the winners in eight categories, while fan voting determines the genre awards, which this year account for five of the total 16. Only three awards—Producer, Songwriter, and Rising Star—are decided by a panel of true experts, which seems ludicrous. Awards should carry the weight of expert validation; if we merely wanted to gauge popularity, we could turn to platforms like Spotify or TikTok instead.
This year, Charli XCX is nominated for five awards, having already secured Songwriter of the Year; Dua Lipa, Ezra Collective, and Last Dinner Party each have four nominations, while iconic acts like The Beatles and The Cure are nominated for the first time in decades. Charli XCX deserves to sweep the awards, as no other British record in the past year has matched the cultural impact and originality of her album Brat. Yet, when her work has already garnered two Grammys and captured the global zeitgeist, the Brit Awards feel more like an afterthought.
If this institution had any real conviction or concern for cultural influence, it would have recognized her brilliance long ago.
The Brit Awards are set to air on ITV1 this Saturday at 8.15pm.
