Singer-songwriter Raye has been confirmed as the final performer for this year’s Brit Awards, set to take place at Manchester’s Co-op Live on February 28. The artist, whose real name is Rachel Keen, joins an already impressive line-up for the live broadcast, including Harry Styles and Grammy-winner Olivia Dean.
Other musical acts scheduled to perform include rock band Wolf Alice, Mark Ronson, and American singer-songwriter Sombr, known off-stage as Shane Boose. Raye, who is nominated in the pop act category this year, expressed her excitement, stating: "We are so grateful to the Brit Awards for having us back on their stage. Me and the band are very excited. Lots of love, Raye."
Raye made history in 2024 by securing six gongs at the Brit Awards, the most ever won by an artist in a single night, including songwriter and artist of the year. She has achieved two UK number one singles: Escapism, featuring rapper 070 Shake, and Where Is My Husband!, which is nominated for song of the year at this year’s ceremony.
The nominations list is led by Lola Young and pop star Olivia Dean, each with five nods. Dean, 26, has a UK chart-topping single, Man I Need, and is also recognised for tracks such as Nice To Each Other, So Easy (To Fall In Love) and A Couple Minutes. Young, 25, recently won a Grammy for best pop solo performance for her hit song Messy, and at the Brits, she is up for best pop act, artist of the year, breakthrough act, best alternative and rock act, and best song.
Elsewhere, Britpop stalwarts Pulp have earned their first nomination in 30 years in the best group category, while last year’s Mercury Prize winner Sam Fender has secured four nominations. Lily Allen, whose album West End Girl garnered significant attention last year, is nominated in three categories: best album, artist of the year, and pop act. Alex Warren’s Ordinary is competing against US popstars including Taylor Swift, Chappell Roan, Gracie Abrams, and Sabrina Carpenter in the international song of the year category.
Advance winners already announced include Noel Gallagher, who will be named Songwriter Of The Year, and record producer and DJ Mark Ronson, set to receive the outstanding contribution to music award. Gallagher, celebrated for his success with Oasis and Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, has a history of multiple Brit Awards wins. Singer-songwriter PinkPantheress, real name Victoria Walker, is the recipient of this year’s Producer of the Year Award, becoming the first woman and youngest ever artist to win the accolade, according to the Brit Awards.
The ceremony will be hosted by comedian and actor Jack Whitehall and broadcast live on ITV and ITVX.