Raye Confirmed as Closing Act for 2026 BRIT Awards in Manchester
The BRIT Awards have announced that Raye will be the final performer at this year's ceremony, scheduled for Saturday, February 28. The singer, whose real name is Rachel Keen, is set to take the stage during the star-studded event, which is being held for the first time ever at Manchester's Co-op Live arena.
Excitement and Gratitude from the Artist
Speaking ahead of her performance, the 28-year-old artist expressed her enthusiasm. 'We are so grateful to the BRIT Awards for having us back on their stage,' Raye said. 'Me and the band are very excited. Lots of love, Raye.' The 'Where Is My Husband' hitmaker is nominated in two categories: Song of the Year with Mastercard and Pop Act.
Record-Breaking History and Nominations
In 2024, Raye made BRITs history by securing the most nominations in a single year, followed by breaking the record for the most wins in one night. She scooped awards for Songwriter of the Year, Mastercard Album of the Year, Best New Artist, Artist of the Year, Song of the Year with Mastercard, and R&B Act.
Raye joins a performing lineup that includes Harry Styles, Olivia Dean, and Wolf Alice. Additional acts set to perform are EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI, the singing voices of HUNTR/X, along with Alex Warren, Mark Ronson, ROSALÍA, and SOMBR.
Leading Nominees and Gender Diversity Turnaround
Leading the charge for this year's nominations are Lola Young and Olivia, each with five nods. They are closely followed by comeback queen Lily Allen, who has been recognised in three categories. Since removing gendered categories like Best Male and Best Female in 2022, the awards show faced heavy backlash for the low number of female artists nominated, particularly in 2023 when the Artist Of The Year shortlist was entirely male.
However, this year has seen a major turnaround, with 70 per cent of nominations being female or non-binary. Lily Allen made her major comeback in October 2025 with her first project in seven years, the revenge album 'West End Girl'. The 40-year-old singer used the album to chronicle the collapse of her marriage to 'Stranger Things' star David Harbour and detailed his alleged affair whilst they were together.
Competition and Emotional Responses
Lily will compete against Lola and Olivia for Artist Of The Year at the ceremony, while she is also nominated for Album Of The Year and Pop Act. Her acclaimed album recounted in painful detail the break-up of her four-year marriage to David and devoted much of her lyrics to his infidelity with a secret lover.
Lola Young, 24, is also up for Breakthrough Artist and Alternative/Rock Act, but it is unknown if she will attend the ceremony. Following the announcement, she said: 'Five BRIT Nominations, how is this even possible? I've had this dream a thousand times, so I'm slightly convinced that my alarm clock is about to wake me up. Seriously, this means so much to me. I am so grateful for this moment and to be nominated alongside the incredible other nominees.'
New Venue and Leadership
The 2026 event will be the first of three years under the stewardship of Sony Music UK, who spearheaded the move to Manchester. Jason Iley MBE, Chairman and CEO of Sony Music UK & Ireland, commented: 'This is a very exciting time for The BRIT Awards. Moving to Manchester, the home of some of the most iconic and defining artists of our lifetime, will invigorate the show and build on the BRITs legacy of celebrating and reinvesting in world-class music. Hosting the show in Manchester, with its vibrant cultural history, perfectly captures the spirit and energy of the BRIT Awards. I can't wait to see the show at the amazing state-of-the-art Co-op Live venue.'
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, added: 'For The BRIT Awards to move out of London is a massive coup for Greater Manchester. After 48 years, it is great that this prestigious global event is about to arrive in the UK capital of music and culture.'
