For the first time in its history, the Brit Awards are being held outside of London, with Manchester serving as the host city. Visitors arriving at Olivia Deansgate station have shown their excitement, with many capturing moments in front of a temporary sign honoring the pop culture icon Olivia Rodrigo. The event marks a significant shift in the awards' history, as it recognizes the broader geographical diversity of British music talent, something the Brit Awards Chair, Stacey Tang, emphasized in her remarks on the need to move beyond London-centric events.

Stacey Tang highlighted the importance of creativity across the UK, asserting that the biggest night in music should not be confined to a single postcode. The local government's cooperation, particularly from Mayor Andy Burnham and the Greater Manchester authority, has been markedly different from the experience she and her team had in London. Tang praised how welcoming and accommodating Manchester has been, labeling the city's approach toward hosting the awards as refreshingly open and with a strong community spirit.

Aligned with the Brit Awards, a fringe event featuring grassroots artists uncovered the vibrancy and talent within Manchester’s music scene, which often remains on the periphery of mainstream recognition. This strategic move aims to highlight not only Manchester’s cultural landscape but also to inspire other regions in the UK to celebrate their own local talent, signaling a potential shift in how national events might be hosted in the future.