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The British are back! With the nominees announced and host Mo Gilligan preparing suitable singers, the music world is gearing up for the UK’s annual festival of gong-giving and (slightly) raucous behaviour.
To generate hype for the big night at the O2 Arena on February 11, the Brits are hosting another week of live performances at intimate venues across the country.
It all benefits the War Child charity, which works tirelessly to help children affected by conflict. Teams in places like UkraineYemen, and Afghanistan provide life-saving physical assistance and then attempt to mitigate psychological trauma.
The organization has long been associated with music and British Week is the most important fundraising event of the year. Attending the accompanying live performances helps fund vital work around the world.
Some of the UK’s biggest artists are joining the cause and performing special performances this year, with ticket sales starting this morning.
There is a large performance by indie rock groups, led by The 1975 and their former opening act beabadoobee. The Hunna, The Snutsand Sea girls will also occur.
Purer pop vibes are provided by easy life and Cave City – although Rina Sawama will also appear, if you prefer your pop camper and more political.
Metronomy and Years and years will represent electronic music, while Kojey radical and Bob Villan will provide jazzy grime and punky hip-hop respectively.
Oh, and we have those too Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls also occur.
And after the comeback of all comebacks, the Sugababes will also put on a show – and everybody loves the Sugababes, so you really have no excuse not to go to at least one of these gigs.
Below, we’re picking out our picks for the biggest shows taking place this British week – and how to get tickets.
The 1975
1975 frontman Matty Healy has become a Mick Jagger for the TikTok age, with images of his bizarre onstage provocations circulating on social media since the band toured the US last year.
But where the Stones added the blues to their rock ‘n’ roll, The 1975 have clearly mixed ’80s pop – and it’s enabled them to amass a formidable catalog of hits.
At least expect to hear some of them when the band plays Manchester’s Gorilla on February 1st.
Book tickets to see The 1975 here.
Sugababes
You might think that the best performance at Glasto 2022 came from the 80-year-old Sir Paul McCartney. And okay…depending on who you speak to, you’re probably right.
But Sir Paul was hot on his heels with the rejuvenated Sugababes, who drew such an unexpectedly large crowd that the festival’s organizers had to close the Avalon field to house them.
Riding the wave of post-Glasto superstardom, the group have refined their live set into a tight succession of hit singles and now join the British Week line-up in London.
Don’t expect: experimental deep cuts. Just expect: pulsating pop hits performed by a trio with an unbeatable chemistry.
Book tickets here for the Sugababes’ performance at The Garage on February 8.
Rina Sawama
Rina Sawayama stormed into the post-pandemic music world in a technicolor explosion of big vocals and high camp.
Her performances bounce wildly between in-song statements about social justice and pure adrenaline hits of flashy pop that pay homage to the 1990s icons she was obsessed with as a teenager.
If you want your live acts to combine the best of Sir Elton John and Destiny’s Child with fearless and articulate progressive politicsthen Rina is your wife, and a real superstar for the moment.
While tickets are currently sold out for Rina Sawayama at Lafayette, London, on February 10, keep checking here as more tickets become available.
Years & Years
Best British performance of all time? We’d probably go for the explosive duet of Sir Elton and Years & Years frontman Olly Alexander doing It’s a Sin in 2021.
The performance came shortly after Olly starred in Russell T Davies’ gripping AIDS drama of the same name, and proved beyond doubt just how powerful and moving the singer can be.
But Olly also knows how to entertain herself, and Years & Years have earned a reputation for their ability to generate pure pleasure on the stage.
Expect both power and playfulness when he strikes HERE on Outernet, London, for British Week. Oh and synths, lots and lots of synths.
Book tickets for Years & Years on February 2 here.
Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls
He’s been likened to a genteel Bruce Springsteen and Eton-educated Frank Turner may be an unlikely punk hero – but his music has an undeniable passion and edge that has helped him build a huge fan base over time.
It’s a cliché, but Frank’s songs are true stories, and their lilting folk sounds evoke the kind of rural Hampshire locales that the musician claims his music is perfect for.
The O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire is a very different proposition for Frank and his band, but they will certainly jump at the opportunity.
While tickets for Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls are currently sold out on February 10, keep checking here as more tickets may become available.
View the full range of BRIT’s week performances here.
LAKE : The 1975 tour review: ingenious stage design for band that took rock into the new era