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London (AP) - Not Dua Lipa, not The Weeknd, not even Pink and the Rag'n'Bone Man.
Probably the most spectacular appearance at the renowned Brit Awards this year will not take place on, but in front of the stage and in the stands in the London o2 arena.
There will be space for a total of 4,000 spectators on Tuesday evening and watch the glamorous award ceremony without any masks and without any distance from one another - now a very unusual sight.
More than a year after the corona pandemic brought the concert and show industry to a standstill around the globe, the Brit Awards 2021 will be the first music event of this size with a live audience.
They have been selected as a test event by the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
In addition to the Brits, which are taking place three months later than usual due to the pandemic, a gradual return of the audience is currently being rehearsed at football games at Wembley Stadium and at the Darts World Cup in Sheffield.
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Around 2500 cards for the prestigious award ceremony, which is considered the British equivalent of the Grammys in the USA, were given free of charge as a thank you to the staff of the national health service NHS.
The remaining chargeable tickets were distributed by raffle.
As part of the test project, all those present must present negative corona tests, enter personal data and undergo further tests in the days after the event.
"It was a long, hard year for everyone," was quoted on the Brit Awards website as a quote from pop star Dua Lipa ("Physical"), who has been nominated for three awards this year.
"And I'm delighted that we are honoring the important heroes of the work who have looked after us so well during this time and who continue to do so."
The Londoner is one of the show greats who are supposed to provide a spectacular show in the approximately one-third filled arena.
US superstar Pink also appears in a duet with Brit Rag'n'Bone Man.
In addition, the young indie and R&B singer Arlo Parks ("Hope") will be on stage in London.
Parks is - just like the starter Celeste ("Little Runaway") - as a newcomer, best national artist and nominated for the best British album.
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After there was criticism last year that women are underrepresented, they are now in the majority in the important album category. Rapper J Hus is the only man out of five nominees. Little Mix, The 1975 and Biffy Clyro will compete for the band award. Prominent international nominees include old rocker Bruce Springsteen and pop stars Billie Eilish, Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift. It is unlikely that they will be present in London.
The Canadian superstar The Weeknd (“Blinding Lights”), the top favorite for the trophy for best international male artist, will, according to media reports, pre-record his show appearance - just like Coldplay.
The British group, which holds the band record with nine Brit Awards so far, will open the award ceremony and perform their new single "Higher Power" on a pontoon on the Thames.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210509-99-526456 / 2
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Official website of the Brit Awards
Brit Awards Youtube channel
"Mirror" report
"Daily Mail" report