BRITs and SXSW raise international profile of UK music acts

During a night of performances to a packed out 02 arena in London and a mass audience on TV and social media, Harry Styles won prestigious BRIT awards in all four categories he was nominated for.

His third studio album 'Harry’s House' – the biggest-selling UK album of 2022 - was named Mastercard Album of the Year, and his No. 1 UK single ‘As It Was’ won Song of the Year with Mastercard.

Styles was also Artist of the Year and winner of the Pop/R&B Act - one of four genre awards voted for by fans. The BRIT wins followed the Album of the Year Grammy Styles won for 'Harry’s House'.

Isle of Wight duo Wet Leg picked up two BRIT awards, being named as Group of the Year and Best New Artist.

Beyoncé was named International Artist of the Year and won the International Song of the Year for ‘Break My Soul’.

The BRITs introduced four genre awards in 2022 to enable even more artists to be recognised for their work, with the winners decided by the fans through a public vote powered by TikTok. Becky Hill picked up her second consecutive BRIT for Dance Act, Aitch was presented with the award for Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Act, and The 1975 were voted winners of Alternative/Rock Act.

Live performers during the Awards show included Lizzo, Sam Smith & Kim Petras, Stormzy, Cat Burns and Lewis Capaldi.

Read full list of the Awards and other information about the BRIT Awards 2023 with Mastercard

Breakout stars - and potential future winners at the BRITS – from the UK music scene will be promoted as part of The British Music Embassy, SXSW’s venue for rising talent.

The British Music Embassy’s 12 showcases run from Saturday, March 11 to Saturday, March 18, split between four daytime and eight night-time shows.

Artists tipped by The BBC, Consequence, Licks Magazine including Brooke Combe, Alaskaalaska, Lime Garden will take to the stage, as well as multiple artists featured in NME’s '100 Essential Artists for 2023', including Balming Tiger, Crawlers, Heartworms, Panic Shack, and Redolent.

This year The British Music Embassy is also presenting, with BBC Music, the first ever BBC 1xtra Introducing showcase featuring British artists of colour, on Thursday, March 12.

The showcase includes R&B, Soul, and Aftrobeat artists Bellah, Miraa May, Obongjayar, SIPHO, and Yazmin Lacey. Throughout the eight days, the BME will once again highlight the creativity and diversity of the British music scene.

More details available here.

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