Saturday, 1st March, graced London with its first real sunshine of the year—a perfect prelude to the glitz and glamour of the BRIT Awards 2025. Staying at the Intercontinental Hotel adjacent to the O2 Arena, Mark and I found ourselves immersed in the vibrant atmosphere from the moment we arrived.
Arrival Amidst the Buzz
As we approached the hotel, we couldn’t help but notice the throngs of photographers lining the entrance, eagerly awaiting the arrival of music’s biggest stars. In our excitement, we inadvertently strolled through the red carpet entrance, only to be politely redirected—an amusing reminder that, despite our enthusiasm, we weren’t the evening’s main attraction.
Inside, the lobby buzzed with fans hoping for a glimpse of their favourite artists, TikTokers, and YouTubers. We made our way to our suite, a compact space equipped with a kitchenette, a spacious living area, and a bedroom offering a direct view of the O2 Arena. Spotting adventurers scaling the O2’s rooftop brought back memories of our own climb—a thrilling experience, though Mark’s aversion to heights made it a one-time venture for him.
Pre-Award Delights
The Diamond Package included a sumptuous three-course meal before the ceremony. The dining area was adorned with buckets of champagne and beers, complemented by BRIT Award-themed chocolates from Tony’s Chocolonely. To my delight, the Sugababes took the stage, delivering nostalgic hits that I sung my heart out to the lyrics word for word.
The BRIT awards menu
– Starter: Beetroot, sorrel, and heritage carrots with a watercress emulsion, apple crisp, plant-based feta, and yellow hummus.
– Main Course: Venison loin and haunch accompanied by red cabbage, port-stewed baby pear, miso-infused celeriac purée, celeriac fondant, oyster mushroom, and a truffle-infused chasseur sauce.
– Dessert: Ivory chocolate crémeux paired with Yorkshire rhubarb pickle, ginger and rhubarb gin cake, blood orange gel, and a honey and chamomile foam.
The BRIT Awards Ceremony
Dinner over, we proceeded to the arena, ready for the night’s performances and thank you speeches. Notable winners including:
– Mastercard Album of the Year: Charli XCX for Brat.
– Song of the Year: Charli XCX featuring Billie Eilish with “Guess”.
– Artist of the Year: Charli XCX.
– Best Alternative/Rock Act: Sam Fender.
– Best Pop Act: JADE.
– Best Hip-Hop/Grime/Rap Act: Stormzy.
– Best New Artist: The Last Dinner Party.
– International Artist of the Year: Chappell Roan.
– International Group of the Year: Fontaines DC.
The performances were great, Mark particularly liked Sam Fender, with JADE, Myles Smith, Shaboozey, Teddy Swims, and The Last Dinner Party and of course Sabrina Carpenter also captivating the audience.
An Early Retreat
Despite the calling of after-parties stretching into the early hours, we chose to retire around 12:30 AM, as Mark was battling the onset of the flu. Our suite provided a comfortable haven, though my 6:30 AM alarm on Sunday was met with less enthusiasm from Mark—a gentle reminder that regardless of events like this, our daily routines persist.
Attending the BRIT Awards 2025 was an unforgettable experience, blending the magic of live music with the vibrant energy of London’s O2 Arena. From unexpected encounters, fashion statements to stellar performances, it is a night that is clearly worth celebrating.
The highlight for me was returning back to my teenage years and watching the Sugababes perform. Just great!
