Sheffield artists Self Esteem and Pulp in running at BRIT Awards 2026 tonight
Two Sheffield acts are in the running at The BRIT Awards 2026 tonight for their impact on British music.
The hottest event in the UK’s music scene will, for the first time ever, be held outside of London and instead hit the Co-op Live in Manchester this evening (February 28).
Amid international superstars like Sabrina Carpenter, Taylor Swift and Bad Bunny, Sheffield has two names in the race after an astounding year of music for the city.
The BRIT Awards 2026 will start on ITV1 at 8.15pm tonight.
Self Esteem nominated for Artist of the Year - who is Rebecca Lucy Taylor?
Self Esteem, true name Rebecca Lucy Taylor, is nominated for Artist of the Year for her 2025 album A Complicated Woman.
Tipped as one of the most talked-about British releases of the year and coming hot off of Glastonbury appearances and her 2021 record Prioritise Pleasure, Rebecca is in the spotlight for her continued evolution as a fearless artist unafraid to mix pop hooks with cutting, unabashed lyrics.
Formerly one half of Sheffield band Slow Club, Taylor released her first track under the nom de plume Self Esteem in 2017, going on to release her debut album, ‘Compliments Please’, in 2019.
She has found critical acclaim with her second album, Prioritise Pleasure, and this year’s A Complicated Woman.
The 39-year-old is known for her high effort performances and stage fashion, including in 2019 when she wore a dress made entirely of Boots Advantage cards, a Glastonbury appearance wearing a corset modelled after the Meadowhall Shopping Centre dome, or a again at Glastonbury in 2025 wearing a Sheffield Wednesdays tracksuit.
Her homecoming show to the Utilita Arena in October 2025 was a rapturous night blending rapid costume changes, breath-taking vocals and audience members joyously dancing in the aisles.
She is set to embark on a summer tour beginning in Reading on July 4, including a stop a Wythenshawe Park in Manchester alongside Pulp.
Speaking of which.
Pulp nominated for Group of the Year
Needing no introduction, Pulp is already one of Sheffield’s most iconic music exports, but the latest nomination is their first tip for a BRIT award in 30 years.
“Good evening - this is a night you will remember for the rest of your life,” Jarvis told an adoring crowd at their headline set at Tramlines 2025, in a critically acclaimed show that proved a time-bending love letter to the city.
Now, after a long period without major award attention, 2025 saw Pulp return to prominence with their new album ‘More,’ their first studio album since 2001.
The record topped charts and shone critical acclaim and public interest back on the Britpop figureheads as they demonstrated they still had much to say in their later years.
Their recent international run of shows have been met with praise - part a mixtape of their greatest hits and part cutting insight into modern life from their latest record.
Five nominations for Lola Young and Olivia Dean
Meanwhile, artists Olivia Dean and Lola Young are the most nominated acts for year's Brit Awards ceremony with five nods each.
Lily Allen , whose album West End Girl caused a stir when it was released last year, is nominated in three categories - for best album, artist of the year, and pop act.
Her first album in seven years, it is said to detail the alleged infidelity of her ex-husband, US actor David Harbour.
Singer-songwriter Dean is up for best pop act, artist of the year, best album for The Art of Loving, and best song for Man I Need.
Lola Young, whose hit single Messy also earns her a nomination in the best song category, is also up for best pop act and artist of the year, as well as breakthrough act.
Sam Fender is also nominated for artist of the year, alternative rock act, and best album for his release People Watching, as well as best song for Rein Me In, his collaboration with Dean.
London -born actress and singer Cynthia Erivo is nominated for best song for Defying Gravity, featuring Ariana Grande, from the film Wicked.
Dean and Young face tough competition in the artist of the year category, which is dominated by female acts including Jade, Pink Pantheress and Self Esteem.
Rising star, Lewisham-born rapper, singer and producer Jim Legxacy, receives a nod in the breakthrough category, where he is up against Barry Can't Swim, EsDeeKid, Young, and Skye Newman, the recent winner of BBC Radio 1's Sound Of 2026.
Pulp, who are up for best group - the same award they were nominated for in 1996, but did not win - will go head to head with Last Dinner Party, Wet Leg, Wolf Alice and Sleep Token.
Wolf Alice singer Ellie Rowsell said she was "floored" by the band's three nominations, adding: "I worked as a waitress at the Brits when I was a teenager, I served the Pussycat Dolls' table.
"It's a strange thing to return as a nominee, for which I am very grateful."
In the best album category Dave is nominated for The Boy Who Played The Harp, alongside Wolf Alice for The Clearing, and the releases from Dean, Allen and Fender.
Legxacy is also nominated for best hip hop, grime and rap act - alongside Dave, Central Cee, Little Simz and Loyle Carner - while he gets a nod for R&B act too.
That category also has nominations for Kwn, Mabel, Sasha Keable, and Sault.
In song of the year, Ed Sheeran's Azizam goes up against Lewis Capaldi with Survive, Raye with Where Is My Husband, and Newman with Family Matters.
Alex Warren's Ordinary is competing with US popstars including Taylor Swift, Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter in the international song of the year category.
Warren, 25, described the nomination as "an incredible honour", and said it feels "completely surreal".
It was also revealed that the public will be be able to cast their votes in the song of the year and international song of the year categories via WhatsApp.
The nomination ceremony was hosted by DJ and radio presenter Sarah Story and influencer Charley Marlowe .
Marlowe, 25, announced she will be hosting the red carpet coverage for the award ceremony next month, alongside TV presenter Tyler West.
Scottish singer Jacob Alon was previously announced as the winner of the Brit Critics Choice Award 2026.
The prize seeks to identify future stars of the UK music scene, and the winner is selected by a panel of music editors and critics from across the industry.
Alon, from Dunfermline, Fife, was on a shortlist alongside indie artist Rose Gray and singer-songwriter Sienna Spiro who recently went viral on social media for her single, Die On This Hill.
The awards, hosted by comedian and actor Jack Whitehall, will be broadcast live on February 28 on ITV and ITVX.