The biggest night in music returns this evening, with The BRIT Awards steamrolling into London’s 02 Arena.
Huge names are set to light up the stage, such as Adele, Liam Gallagher and Ed Sheeran.
Ahead of the awards ceremony, which will be broadcast on ITV, we’ve cast our minds back over 44 years of the must-see music event.
From inspired collaborations and some of the wildest set direction we’ve ever seen, to accidents that had viewers on the sofa gasping in shock, sit back and reacquaint yourself with some of the best musical moments the Brits has ever bestowed onto the world.
Geri Ha lliwell bursts from a pair of open legs, 2000
Geri Halliwell made sure she made herstory with the bonkers stage set up at the 2000 awards ceremony. The Spice Girls member burst out from between two open legs to perform Bag It Up, while writhing all over her lapdancer’s pole.
“This is for all the ladies in the house!” she screams. Erm, thanks? We’ve actually never fully recovered from this performance; iconic Brits behaviour.
Rihanna and Klaxons' banging nu-rave mash-up, 2008
Sorry, *rubs eyes* was that Kween Riri performing with Nu Rave favourites, the Klaxons? Yep, this wasn’t a fever dream, it really happened.
2008 was actually an inspired show as they focused on music mash-ups ( so mid-’00s) which also saw DJ Erol Alkan’s hybrid pumper of Kylie’s Can’t Get You Out Of My Head and New Order’s Blue Monday, while Beth Ditto and Mika (remember him?) duetted to somewhat limited success.
However, Rihanna ’s Umbrella got the culture clash treatment with Klaxons’ Golden Skans and the rest was history. Lasers, neon lights and of course, umbrellas at the ready. Ahhhh, the Indie Sleaze years were the best.
Elton John and Ru Paul lipsync for their lives, 1994
The Brits sometimes stands accused of being old fashioned and out of touch - but they were ahead of the trend way back in 1994 when Elton John invited Mama Ru on stage to lip sync to Don’t Go Breaking My Heart. Shantay, you both stay!
Lady Gaga, it’ll be all-white on the night, 2010
Gaga belts out a slowed-down piano lounge reworking of Telephone - in memory of her friend, Alexander McQueen - all while dressed like an haute-couture high tea doily.
Later, she breaks it all down to some of her more…um…experimental stuff (hello, Artpop era), accompanied by her keytar, while rapping: “I’m a free b***h”. What’s that massive white statue of her doing on stage? Who knows? It’s like we all agreed never to talk about it again.
Five vs Brian May rock out, 2000
We Will Rock You? More like We Will Shock You when the UK’s budget Backstreet Boys turned up in Matrix-style long leather jackets to perform a Queen track, then badger-loving Brian May - and the remaining Queen members - jump out wielding guitars and drums. Question: what’s in Jay’s rucksack? Hopefully a good deodorant, as all that leather combined with dancing bright lights are a sweaty nightmare.
Kanye West, the man with the golden touch, 2006
For those who miss the old Kanye, straight from the go Kanye; here’s one of Kim Kardashian ’s ex’s best ever performances: the stone cold classic that is Gold Digger (flanked by around a thousand gold models strutting around stage) and Touch The Sky (with his all-female string orchestra). Let’s hope he heeded his own mantra before the wedding of the century: “We want prenup, we want prenup!”
Madonna, capegate, 2015 (7 million views)
There were actual audible screams from all in the audience (and the Mirror office) when Madonna stacked it after one minute 11 seconds into her performance of Living For Love. But the seasoned trooper wasn’t about to be taken out by a shawl of fabric, and, ever the professional, just carried the hell on. “No more capes” she later vowed. Probably for the best.
For other momentous behind-the-scenes moments from this year’s Brits, search #BRITsUnseen on YouTube Shorts.
