Noel Gallagher Shocks With Liam Praise and Controversial Songwriter Award at Manchester BRITs
The 2026 BRIT Awards, held for the first time in Manchester at the state-of-the-art Co-op Live arena, saw a surprising moment of familial reconciliation and a somewhat contentious win for Oasis frontman Noel Gallagher. Gallagher, 58, was honoured with the Songwriter of the Year award, a prize he accepted with a public acknowledgement of his estranged brother, Liam.
Despite their famously fractured relationship since Oasis disbanded in 2009, Noel credited Liam, 53, and his distinctive vocal talent as integral to their shared musical success. “I’ve got to thank my brother,” Gallagher stated during his acceptance speech. He also extended thanks to former Oasis bandmates Bonehead, Guigsy, Andy, and Gem, acknowledging their collective contribution to their iconic sound.
The ceremony, which marked a significant shift by moving from its long-time London home, also featured a strong Manchester flavour. Pep Guardiola, manager of Gallagher’s beloved Manchester City football club, introduced him to the stage, prompting a fervent “Up the f** blues” from the rocker, which reportedly divided the audience.
Gallagher’s Songwriter of the Year award, however, wasn’t without its controversy. Reports suggested he hadn’t penned a new song in two years. Addressing this, Gallagher previously stated on talkSPORT, “I haven’t written a song for two years. I’m not sure how I’ve got away with that one, but I’ll take it.” He attributed his win to strong record sales, noting that his music sold a million records in the past year, a feat he believes few other songwriters could match. He provocatively challenged any “wet wipe songwriting teams” to confront him on the red carpet if they had an issue with his win.
Gallagher also suggested that the award might have been influenced by the BRITs’ relocation to Manchester. “I’m in the studio now, so I’d better do something out soon,” he commented. “If I am honest I think they just were desperate to get someone from Oasis up there ‘cos it is in Manchester.”
Olivia Dean Dominates and Ozzy Osbourne Honoured
The 46th annual BRIT Awards proved to be a triumphant night for British singer-songwriter Olivia Dean, 26. She swept the awards, securing victories in every category she was nominated for, including Best Artist, Best Album, Best Song, and Best Pop Act. Dean’s single “Man I Need” and her collaboration with Sam Fender, “Rein Me In,” were both nominated for Song of the Year, with the latter taking home the prize. Her success with “Man I Need” and her album “The Art Of Loving” saw her become the first woman since Adele in 2021 to simultaneously hold the UK’s number one single and album.
In contrast, Lily Allen, 40, left empty-handed despite a successful year with her fifth studio album, “West End Girl.” She was nominated in several categories but was ultimately outshone by Dean. Allen’s album, which chronicled the breakdown of her marriage and alleged infidelity, had previously earned her eight nominations at the BRITs, with only one win to date. She did not attend this year’s ceremony.
A poignant moment of the evening was the presentation of the BRITs Lifetime Achievement Award to the late Ozzy Osbourne. His wife, Sharon Osbourne, 73, accepted the award on his behalf, accompanied by their daughter Kelly, 41. Sharon delivered a heartfelt tribute to her husband, describing him as a “gifted, totally unpredictable, a wild man – he was a true artist.” She highlighted his humble beginnings in Birmingham and his rise to global music icon status, emphasizing his enduring connection to England and his working-class roots.
The ceremony concluded with a star-studded rock tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away in July. The performance featured a special rendition of “No More Tears,” curated by Sharon Osbourne herself. Musicians who had previously played in Ozzy’s band, including Adam Wakeman, Robert Trujillo, Tommy Clufetos, and Zakk Wylde, joined forces with Robbie Williams, who was personally invited by Sharon as a long-time fan and friend.
Other Notable Wins and Performances
The move to Manchester also brought new talent to the forefront. Lola Dean, 24, who was nominated for five awards, received the Breakthrough Artist award. This comes after a period of recovery following a collapse on stage in New York and a subsequent hiatus from her music career.
British rapper Dave, 27, claimed the Hip Hop award for his third studio album, “The Boy Who Played The Harp.” Producer and DJ Fred Again, alongside Skepta and PlaqueBoyMax, won the Dance award, while Sam Fender triumphed in the Best Rock category.
Ten-time Grammy Award winner Mark Ronson, 50, was recognised with the Outstanding Contribution to Music Award before taking to the stage for a performance. SAULT secured the R&B award, Jacob Alon won the Critics Choice award, and PinkPanthress was named Producer of the Year.
Internationally, American rock band Geese took home Best International Group, and Spanish superstar Rosalía was crowned Best International Artist, fending off competition from global stars like Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga. The International Song of the Year award went to ROSÉ and Bruno Mars for their track “APT.”
Wolf Alice celebrated success by winning Group of the Year for their fourth album, “The Clearing.” Singer Ellie Roswell expressed gratitude, dedicating the award to those who supported them in their early years.
The BRIT Awards’ relocation from London to Manchester marks a significant shift in its history. Comedian Jack Whitehall returned to host the ceremony for his sixth time, having developed a connection with the city during his studies at The University of Manchester. This year’s event was the first of a three-year deal with Sony Music UK to hold the ceremony in Manchester, with plans for it to potentially rotate around the UK in the future. This move away from the capital is seen as a move to decentralise the British music industry and bring the biggest night in British music to new audiences.
Jason Iley MBE, Chairman and CEO of Sony Music UK & Ireland, expressed his excitement about the move, stating that Manchester’s “vibrant cultural history” perfectly captured the spirit of the BRIT Awards. Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, hailed the decision as a “massive coup” for the region, celebrating Manchester’s rich musical heritage and its status as a global music capital. He pledged full support to ensure the event is a resounding success.
Performances throughout the night included Harry Styles, who took to the stage just a week before the release of his new album, “Kiss All The Time, Disco, Occasionally.” Seven-time BRIT winner Raye also performed her nominated hit single, “Where Is My Husband.” The ceremony also featured performances from Wolf Alice, ROSALIA, Alex Warren, SOMBR, RAYE, EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI, known for their work on the Netflix series “KPop Demon Hunters.”
