Key highlights to watch for during tonight’s ceremony.

The Brit Awards, a significant event in British music, are just around the corner, ready for their 45th celebration. This year, Charli XCX stands out with five nominations, including prestigious categories such as Artist of the Year and Album of the Year, thanks to her innovative and well-received album, “Brat.” Although she will be attending the ceremony, she will not be performing. Instead, other exciting performances will come from acts like Ezra Collective, Sam Fender, Lola Young, and Teddy Swims.

The nominations for the awards are quite diverse, including the legendary Beatles and even a Christmas hit from Sam Ryder, alongside popular tracks from TikTok personalities like Artemas and KSI.

One highlight of the evening is expected to be the performance by Sabrina Carpenter, who recently delivered a memorable show at the Grammy Awards. Dressed in a glittering tuxedo dress, Carpenter creatively rearranged her songs, adding jazzy elements and engaging in a clever tap dance routine. She has a flair for combining entertainment with humor, making her performance both engaging and light-hearted.

Another poignant aspect of the ceremony will likely be a tribute to Liam Payne. The former One Direction member and solo artist had a strong presence at the Brit Awards, winning seven awards throughout his career. Sadly, he passed away in Argentina last October. While there have been rumors of a reunion among his former bandmates for a tribute, logistics make that difficult. However, organizers say the plan for honoring him will be respectful and significant, ensuring his legacy is honored.

Jack Whitehall, who has previously hosted the Brit Awards and is known for his witty and playful commentary, will return to the job. He was a favorite during his time as host from 2018 to 2022, using humor to entertain the audience. Whitehall is putting together a script that promises to infuse humor throughout the night, including quirky ideas, like painting himself orange.

The Brit Awards will feature several records that could potentially be broken this year. The Beatles could make history with their nomination for Best Single for what is said to be their final song, “Now And Then.” If they win, it would be a remarkable 47 years since their first nomination in this category. Coldplay has the chance to enhance their record in the Best Group category, while Dua Lipa could climb into the top ranks of the most-awarded artists in the event’s history, depending on her results tonight.

Fans can tune into the live ceremony from the UK on ITV and ITVX at 20:15 GMT, while international viewers can watch on the official Brit Awards YouTube channel. BBC News will also be covering the red carpet events leading up to the awards.

The main categories of nominations include Artist of the Year, featuring artists like Beabadoobee, Central Cee, and Charli XCX, while the Group of the Year includes Coldplay and The Cure. For Album of the Year, Charli XCX’s “Brat” is in the running alongside works from The Cure and Dua Lipa.

As the anticipation builds for the Brit Awards, it’s sure to be a night filled with remarkable performances, emotional tributes, and perhaps, some record-breaking moments in British music history.