The UK’s leading music company, Universal Music UK, has kicked off its BRIT Awards weekend in style with its first-ever pre-BRITs artist showcase. Hosted by Clara Amfo, the exclusive event featured stellar performances from Sam Fender, Lola Young, Olivia Dean and The Last Dinner Party, in front of industry leaders and international executives who had flown in from around the world to be part of the 160-strong crowd at Riverside Studios in London.
Universal Music UK is also hosting a glittering BRITs after-party in collaboration with Chila Kumari Burman MBE, as well as a first-of-its-kind gifting suite for artists, in partnership with Cosmopolitan magazine and in support of Nordoff and Robbins music therapy charity.
Dickon Stainer, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music UK, said: “Nothing is more important to us than shining a light on new British talent. We believe this weekend’s special events will act as a catalyst for a new era of success for UK artists on the global stage.”
Artist Showcase
Fresh from securing a UK No.1 album with People Watching – the biggest opening week of 2025 so far with over 100,000 week one sales (the fastest British artist to do so since Harry Styles) – Sam Fender took to the stage for ‘Arm’s Length’ and ‘People Watching’. He is set to perform at the BRIT Awards tomorrow night, where he is nominated for Best Alternative/Rock Act and Artist of the Year. Fender has a summer of sold-out stadium shows ahead and tours of both Europe and the US in the coming weeks.
Lola Young, whose single ‘Messy’ has amassed nearly 600 million streams globally and become the highest-charting track from a British artist globally, delivered a raw acoustic versions of her global hit ‘Messy’ as well as ‘You Noticed’ at the showcase, both taken from her album . She will also take the BRITs stage on Saturday night, where she is nominated for Best Pop Act, before performing her own London headline show on Monday night.
Another performer at the showcase was Olivia Dean, who’s just returned from headline shows in Australia, New Zealand and Thailand. She performed ‘Dive’ and ‘It Isn’t Perfect But It Might Be’ – the official lead track for blockbuster Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy. Dean is set to embark on a major world tour this year.
There was also a performance from last year’s BRITs Rising Star winners, The Last Dinner Party, who have cemented their place in the industry with four nominations this year, including Group of the Year, Album of the Year, Best New Artist and Best Alternative/Rock Act. The global touring band – who are soon to visit Japan and Brazil – performed “Nothing Matters” at the event.
After-party
The celebrations continue with Universal Music UK’s much-anticipated BRIT Awards after-party, the hottest ticket in town on the biggest night of music in the UK. This year, visual artist Chila Kumari Singh Burman MBE has been commissioned to create an immersive neon-drenched experience, featuring a curated entrance and a strikingly decorated tuk-tuk, transforming the venue into a kaleidoscopic celebration of music and culture. This unique collaboration marks another milestone in Universal Music’s commitment to championing creative innovation at the highest level.
Gifting Suite
For the first time, Universal Music UK has also introduced an exclusive Artist Gifting Suite For the first time, Universal Music UK has also introduced an exclusive Artist Gifting Suite at its London office. The suite features sustainability-forward brands, including Hydroflask, GOB, Sky High Farm and Vuori – with Cosmopolitan capturing exclusive instax moments. Each photo taken will generate a donation to Nordoff and Robbins, the UK’s leading music therapy charity.
