The biggest night in British music will be held at Co-op Live
People have been advised to expect delays and queues on public transport on Saturday as the BRIT Awards take place in Manchester(Image: Jake Lindley / Manchester Evening News)
After what feels like months of counting down, the BRIT Awards will be making their Manchester debut this weekend with a huge show at Co-op Live.
Now in its 49th year, the top music ceremony has never been held outside of London until now and the event is going all out for its milestone show with performers set to include Harry Styles, Kpop Demon Hunters stars HUNTR/X, Sombr, Olivia Dean and Mark Ronson.
Hosted by Jack Whitehall, the event will also be attended by a host of artists and celebrities as they celebrate one of the biggest nights in music. Leading the nominations are Olivia Dean and Lola Young, with five each. Winners will receive a special trophy designed by Matthew Williamson which celebrates his time in Manchester and takes inspiration from the city’s culture.
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With Co-op Live’s capacity sitting at around 23,500, people both attending the show and expecting to use public transport on Saturday (February 28) have been advised that roads and travel services are likely to be busier than usual. The event, which will air live on ITV, is expected to begin at around 8.15pm.
Audrey Nuna, EJAE and Rei Ami, the vocalists behind Kpop Demon Hunters’ HUNTR/X, will perform at this year’s BRITs(Image: Brit Awards)
The Bee Network has warned that roads situating the venue, and Etihad Campus, in Eastlands will be ‘very busy from late afternoon and throughout the evening’. The network has advised: “Anyone travelling in the area, whether attending the event or not, should allow extra time for their journey and consider travelling earlier or later where possible.”
It has also been warned that car journeys in the surrounding area will be ‘likely to take longer than usual’, with drivers advised to allow plenty of time and use pre-booked parking services where possible to avoid disruptions or delays. There is expected to be added congestion around the venue due to the increase in ‘drop-off and pick-up activity’. Official car parking spaces at Co-op Live, provided by Vertu, must be booked in advance online with prices costing £25 per vehicle. Parking will be in the ‘Orange’ zone near the Etihad Stadium.
Public transport will also be busier than usual, with Metrolink services on the Ashton line and bus routes between the Etihad Campus and Manchester city centre expected to be most impacted by higher demand. The tram provider has said its services will operate as normal, but ‘queues are expected, especially after the show finishes’.
The BRIT Awards will be held at Co-op Live on Saturday, February 28(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
Those with a BRIT Awards ticket will be able to travel on the Metrolink network, from all zones, for free as part of their journey to and from Co-op Live on Saturday. People will just be asked to show their ticket to the inspector on board when asked. The nearest tram stop from the venue is Etihad Campus, on the Ashton line, which is a very short walk away from Co-op Live.
The Bee Network has also suggested Holt Town and Velopark tram stops are also within walking distance, whilst there will also be a signed, well-lit walking route between the city centre, via Piccadilly Stations, and the Etihad Campus. Due to the crowds to get on the trams after the event, this will be the recommended route and takes around 35-40 minutes to walk.
The BRIT Awards are reportedly set to conclude at around 10.15pm, which will again see another influx of increased crowds as people leave the venue. There will also be an on‑site after‑show running until approximately 1am. The last direct tram service from Etihad Campus to Piccadilly will be at 1.36am.
For those who have been unable to get a ticket to the BRITs but still want to soak up the atmosphere of the event’s arrival in the city, there are a host of events taking place all week being held to coincide with the ceremony including an art trail, pop-up performances, a fringe festival and special one-off intimate gigs from big names including Robbie Williams.
The BRIT Awards will take place at Co-op Live on February 28. It will air on ITV, ITVX and ITV’s YouTube channel from 8.15pm.