Brit Awards 2014: Pharrell Williams to perform
The rapper will join Arctic Monkeys and Bruno Mars at the February event
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Pharrell Williams is the latest performer to join the line-up for next month’s Brit Awards show, it has been confirmed.
The US rapper will share a stage with festival favourites Arctic Monkeys, pop star Katy Perry and “Treasure” singer Bruno Mars.
Other acts booked to perform include dubstep-inspired dance quartet Rudimental, “Burn” singer Ellie Goulding and popular English band Bastille.
Sheffield's Arctic Monkeys have mocked the corporate event in the past, but have now agreed to open the 2014 show, seemingly accepting their position as the UK's pre-eminent rock group.
In 2006, the band refused to attend the Brit Awards when they won an accolade for Best Breakthrough Act. The four-piece sent a video message dressed as characters from the Wizard of Oz, making their distaste for the event starkly evident, before turning up in 2008 only to deliver a sarcastic acceptance speech which organisers drowned out.
Williams is currently at number one in the UK Official Singles Chart with “Happy”, a track that has already broken the half a million sales barrier. “Happy” follows in the hugely successful wake of his two collaborative hits, “Blurred Lines” with Robin Thicke and T.I and “Get Lucky” with Daft Punk.
Bastille and electro duo Disclosure lead the Brit Awards nominations this year with four nods each, while David Bowie’s musical comeback has earned him two. Rudimental are nominated in three categories, with Laura Mvula, Tom Odell and John Newman also on the shortlist.
Several of 2013’s biggest-selling artists, including Robbie Williams, Gary Barlow and Sir Paul McCartney, have failed to make the nominations list when it was announced at the beginning of January. Robin Thicke and Miley Cyrus have been snubbed in the international categories.
More line-up announcements will be made in the coming weeks, ahead of the ceremony at London’s O2 on Wednesday 19 February.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments