Brit Awards winers Olivia Dean, Lola Young, Sam Fender, Jacob Alon and VIP guests including Holly Humberstone, Self Esteem, Jeff Goldblum, Rose Gray, December 10, Femi of Ezra Collective, Harris Dickinson, Elliot James Reay, Francis Bourgeois, Stephen Libby, Bez, Arveene, Zezi and DJ Lamby attended The Universal Music Group UK BRIT Awards After-Party 2026 on 28th February 2026 at The Ivy Spinningfields in Manchester.
Music Group UK (UMG UK) celebrated a momentous night at the BRIT Awards 2026 in Manchester, as homegrown stars Olivia Dean and Sam Fender both took home multiple awards. After leading the field with the most nominations, their wins capped off an extraordinary 12 months for both the artists. Other winners on the night included Breakthrough Artist Lola Young, and Critics’ Choice Jacob Alon, who both enjoyed their wins at UMG UK’s BRIT Awards After-Party 2026 at The Ivy Spinningfields.
Jeff Goldblum attends The Universal Music Group UK BRIT Awards After Party 2026 credit Dave Benett
The Winners
- Artist of The Year, Mastercard Album of The Year (for ‘The Art of Loving’), Pop Act: Olivia Dean (Capitol Records UK)
- Song of The Year with Mastercard (for ‘Rein Me In’ with Olivia Dean), Alternative/Rock Act: Sam Fender (Polydor Records)
- Breakthrough Artist: Lola Young (Island Records)
- Critics’ Choice: Jacob Alon (Island Records)
- Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Act: Dave (Neighbourhood Recordings)
Olivia Dean, who performed her chart-topping hit ‘Man I Need’ at the BRIT Awards, earned the first win of the night alongside Sam Fender for Song of The Year for ‘Rein Me In’. Olivia then won Artist of The Year, Album of The Year (for ‘The Art of Loving’) and Pop Act, after earning five nominations. With The Art of Loving and ‘Man I Need’, Olivia became the first solo British female to simultaneously claim the No.1 album and No. 1 single spots on the UK Official Charts, since Adele in 2021. Her successful night at the BRIT Awards swiftly follows her win of the coveted Best New Artist category at the Grammy Awards.
Representing the North in a great northern city, Sam Fender won Alternative/Rock Actas well as Song of The Year. This represents Sam’s fifth overall BRIT Awards win, after taking home the coveted 2025 Mercury Prize for ‘People Watching’.
Lola Young won Breakthrough Artist, after also being nominated for Artist of The Year, Song of The Year for ‘Messy’, Pop Act and Alt/Rock Act. This is a particularly poignant win for Lola back home after earning her first Grammy for Best Pop Solo Performance last month for ‘Messy’.
All three artists performed atUMG UK’s Pre-BRITs Showcaselast year, where they were spotlighted as talents on the brink of global success.
Elsewhere, Jacob Alon took home the Critics’ Choice prize. The Scottish singer-songwriter released critically acclaimed debut album In Limerence last year, landing a Mercury Prize shortlisting. Neighbourhood Recordings artist Davewon Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Act at the BRITs.
To see Olivia Dean, Sam Fender, Lola Young, Dave and Jacob Alon win at the BRITs is a statement of intent for UK talent on the world stage. A new wave of global artistry is here, and it is British.”
Dickon Stainer, Chairman & CEO of Universal Music Group UK & Ireland
The soundtrack of the night was delivered by an exceptional line up of DJs: Rose Gray, Femi of Ezra Collective, Bez, Arveene, Zezi and DJ Lamby. As part of the festivities in Manchester this weekend, UMG UK hosted the Pre-BRIT Awards Showcase 2026.An intimate artist showcase at Aviva Studios on Friday (27 February) shone a spotlight on some of the UK’s most exciting musical talents including boyband DECEMBER 10,pop R&B powerhouses FLO and singer/songwriter Holly Humberstone, hosted by DJ and presenter Maia Beth. The event anchors a wider ‘BRITs Week’ for the company which includes UMG’s Artist Gifting Suite, Island Records gig at YES, Fringe Week panel appearances and listening events from The Collective including EMI North, the launch of a new music education initiative and a special collaboration at the newly-opened Umusic Shop in Camden with Matthew Williamson (who designed this year’s BRIT Awards trophy) with a full refresh of merchandise from BRIT-nominated artists.
