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The BRIT Awards: A Night of Legends, Drama, and Unmatched Glamour
From Madonna’s big fall to the return of the Beatles, Professor Jonathan Shalit shares his memories of the iconic awards ceremony
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As I stand before my wardrobe, carefully selecting the perfect outfit for the 30th BRIT Awards, I am reminded of the magic and grandeur this night holds. The burgundy velvet jacket and Prada tie are hanging ready, waiting for the greatest celebration in British music.
This year will be particularly special, as my 10th year hosting a VIP table. It’s a position that not only allows me to rub shoulders with the industry’s biggest names but also gives me a unique insider's perspective on the glamour, drama, and celebration of the night.
As usual, the emails and WhatsApp messages are already flooding in with people asking, “Can you get me a ticket to the BRITs?” The hunt for the hottest ticket in town never seems to lose its allure.
Every year, I am reminded of how much this night means to the world of music and entertainment. The BRITs have always been more than just a mere awards ceremony – they are a celebration of music, style, and cultural moments that define each year.
The BRITs have always been more than just a mere awards ceremony – they are a celebration of music, style, and cultural moments that define each year
Both have delivered electrifying performances and albums that have made waves globally. But there’s also a rising star on the horizon. Following RAYE winning six BRIT Awards last year, Lola Young, the standout UK artist so far this year, is firmly establishing herself as a force to be reckoned with in the UK music scene.
Lola Young photographed by Charlotte Patmore
Charlotte Patmore
What’s especially exciting about the 2025 BRITs is the return of The Beatles, whose “Now and Then” has been nominated for BRITs Song of the Year. To see the legendary band recognized once again takes us back nearly five decades to the very first BRITs in 1977, when they won three awards, including Best British Group, marking the end of an era. It’s a poignant reminder of the BRITS’s rich legacy and its ability to honour timeless music, and how far it has come since then.
My own mentor, the legendary producer Sir George Martin, won a BRIT for Best British Producer in that inaugural year. His influence on the music industry still resonates deeply.
Later, Cocker was arrested and taken to Kensington Police Station on suspicion of assaulting the children who had accompanied Michael Jackson on stage. It was a night full of drama and controversy, but it was also a night where legends were celebrated.
The BRITs had rolled out the red carpet for the King of Pop, awarding him the Artist of a Generation accolade. Among the other big winners were Alanis Morissette, Annie Lennox, Paul Weller, Björk, Prince, Oasis, David Bowie, and Meat Loaf, who all took home that iconic, heavy statuette.
That year also saw the rivalry between Oasis and Blur reach its peak, with Oasis emerging victorious. Between 1994 and 1996, Oasis won four BRITs, though Blur had their fair share of triumphs as well. This was one of the most defining periods in British music history.
Earls Court once again played host to the BRITs the following year in 1997, and it was the Spice Girls who stole the show. Geri Halliwell’s Union Jack dress became the talk of the night as the Spice Girls took home two BRITs and performed their smash hits “Wannabe” and “Who Do You Think You Are.”
The Spice Girls at the BRIT Awards, 1997
Rex Features
Fast forward to 2008, and the BRITs would again serve as a stage for unforgettable performances. Mark Ronson’s medley of hits took centre stage that year, and the crowd went wild as Adele joined him for an unforgettable performance.
But it was the unexpected arrival of Amy Winehouse, performing “Valerie,” that truly shook the room. Her raw talent and unique style made her one of the most influential artists of that era, and that night, she proved just how powerful her voice was.
In 2011, Adele’s performance of “Someone Like You” became a defining moment in BRITs history. Her heart-wrenching rendition of the ballad echoed across the arena, and the emotion was palpable.
That performance marked the beginning of an unparalleled rise to global stardom, and her album 21 became a musical phenomenon. The BRITs had helped catapult her to success, but it was her raw, unfiltered talent that ultimately captured the world’s attention.
Girls Aloud, often overlooked in the earlier years of their career, finally got the recognition they deserved in 2009. Their performance of “The Promise” was a showstopper, blending Motown-inspired production with a burlesque aesthetic.
They won Best British Single that year, and their moment on stage was nothing short of dazzling.
Lady Gaga’s 2010 performance at the BRITs is still one of the most talked-about moments in BRITS history. Just days after the death of her friend, designer Alexander McQueen, Gaga dedicated her performance to him, delivering a haunting piano version of “Telephone” before launching into “Dance in the Dark.”
The emotional weight of her performance was palpable. That Summer I also I had the privilege of seeing Gaga perform live up close at Elton John’s White Tie and Tiara Ball, just a few feet from the stage. The energy was electric.
Madonna’s fall down the stairs during a performance at the BRITs in 2015
And then, who could forget the spectacle of Madonna’s fall in 2015? Her dramatic tumble down the stairs during her performance of “Living For Love” quickly became one of the most viral moments in BRITs history.
Yet, true to her resilience, Madonna recovered with the grace and poise of a true icon. It’s moments like these that remind us why the BRITs have become the ultimate celebration of music.
But the BRITs have also been a platform for political statements, much to the chagrin of the organizers. As Oscar Wilde famously said, “There is only one thing in life worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.”
In 1998, Chumbawamba’s drummer infamously threw a bucket of iced water over Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, making headlines for weeks.
In 2018, Stormzy used his BRITs acceptance speech to take aim at then-Prime Minister Theresa May, calling out her government’s handling of the Grenfell Tower tragedy. Music, it seems, has always had the power to challenge the status quo and make a statement.
There have been other unforgettable moments of political outrage, from David Bowie’s plea to Scotland to remain part of the UK in 2014, to Blur’s Damon Albarn’s passionate stance against Brexit in 2018.
The BRITs are not just about the music; they are also about artists using their platform to express their views, no matter how controversial.
In 2025, it’s hard to imagine that the BRITs won’t see another explosive moment. As the world watches, I can’t help but anticipate a political statement or dramatic performance that will have everyone talking.
But amidst the performances, the awards, and the drama, there is one figure who has remained the true Queen of the BRITs, the woman behind the scenes who has kept everything running smoothly: Maggie Crowe OBE.
Known only to the inner circle, Maggie is the BRITs custodian, the gatekeeper, the unsung hero who ensures that the show goes off without a hitch every single year. Maggie is an irreplaceable part of the BRITs legacy.
As I prepare for the 2025 BRITs, I can’t help but feel the excitement building. This night will make headlines around the world, drawing hundreds of millions of online views. And as the final notes ring out, we will once again be reminded of why the BRITs remain the crown jewel of the British music calendar.
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