2018 BRIT AWARDS TAKE SHAPE

The BRIT Awards 2018 ceremony is shaping up, with Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, Stormzy and Dua Lipa announced as the first performers on the bill. Nominations will be announced during an ITV broadcast on 1/13, where Paloma Faith, Clean Bandit, J Hus, Liam Payne and Critics’ Choice winner Jorja Smith will take to the stage.

Last year was very much Sony’s year, with acts signed to Jason Iley’s label taking home seven out of the 11 awards, and David Joseph’s UMG tallying three. In 2016, UMG U.K. and Adele were the ceremony’s biggest winners, with the latter taking home three gongs and Joseph enjoying five. Sony and Warner tied with three apiece. Will 2018 be the golden year for Max Lousada’s WMG?

The ceremony takes place on 2/21 at the O2 Arena in London. Said BRITs Chairman Iley, “I’m very excited to confirm such a strong British line-up as our first four live acts for the main show in 2018: Ed Sheeran has had an exceptional year, across the world and we are thrilled to have him back on the show. Then we have previous Critics’ Choice winner Sam Smith returning to our stage following the incredible success of yet another #1 album this year. Stormzy has had a phenomenal 2017, putting grime firmly on the map with his #1 album, Gang Signs and Prayer, and Dua Lipa has been the biggest British female breakthrough story of the year.”