BRIT Awards 2021: Coldplay open the ceremony with an INCREDIBLE outdoor performance

Coldplay opened The BRIT Awards 2021 with an incredible pre-recorded performance on the River Thames on Tuesday night.

The band, fronted by lead singer Chris Martin, 44, performed their new single Higher Power from a barge in front of the O2 ahead of the live event, presented by Jack Whitehall.

Going on all out for the opening act, Coldplay opted for futuristic dancing holograms and sparkling fireworks for the showcase, which was filmed in the heart of the capital last month.

Chris was ever the showman in the band’s performance as they took to the barge situated outside the O2 Arena.

The performance included the use of jaw-dropping holograms, adding to the sci-fi theme after the band unveiled their new single last week by streaming it on board the Internation Space Station.

It was a performance that kicked off a stellar return to live music, which also included performances from Dua Lipa and The Weeknd.

The 2021 Brit Awards, hosted by Jack Whitehall, will mark the first major indoor music event in over a year as bosses released 2,500 free tickets to key workers. 

Amazing: The band, fronted by lead singer Chris Martin, 44, performed their new single Higher Power from a barge in front of the O2 ahead of the live event

Energetic: Going on all out for the opening act, Coldplay opted for futuristic dancing holograms and sparkling fireworks

The Brit Awards are taking place in front of a live audience of 4,000 people at London‘s The O2 six days before the next phase of lockdown lifts. 

The ceremony, which will be broadcast live on ITV, will celebrate the return to live music and nominee Dua Lipa has promised those attending that it will ‘be a night to remember’.  

The indoor ceremony and live show will form part of the Government’s scientific Events Research Programme, and it will use enhanced testing approaches to examine how events can take place without the need for social distancing after all restrictions are lifted on June 21. 

What a show! Chris was ever the showman in the band’s performance as they took to the barge situated outside the O2 Arena

Working closely with the Government to adhere to safety guidelines, this means The BRITs, will be the first live music show at The O2 in over a year, with 4,000 tickets being up for grabs- just one fifth of the venue’s 20,000 capacity. 

The BRITs will play an important role in paving the way for the return of live music at scale as the UK emerges from the past year’s restrictions. 

Audience members will not be socially distanced or required to wear face coverings in the arena, but they will be required to follow existing Government guidance when travelling to the venue and adhere to rules set out by the event organisers.

Among the rules, attendees must have proof of a negative lateral flow test result to enter the venue. 

New release: Higher Power features on Coldplay’s new album which is called Music Of The Spheres, another reference to space and life beyond Earth

As part of the wider scientific research on the trial events, attendees will also be asked to take a test after the event to gather further evidence on the safety of indoor settings, reduced social distancing and the removal of non-pharmaceutical interventions like face coverings.    

Higher Power features on Coldplay’s new album which is called Music Of The Spheres, another reference to space and life beyond Earth.  

The track was produced by music mastermind, Max Martin, who is known for making numerous hit records including Britney Spears’ Baby One More Time and Backstreet Boys’ I Want It That Way.   

It comes after MailOnline confirmed that Coldplay will open The BRIT Awards 2021 with a performance of Higher Power filmed on the Thames – as the ceremony is to become the UK’s first major indoor music event since Covid-19.  

The band were seen secretly recording the show opener in front of the O2 from a barge on last month.