O2 Arena: Coldplay to open Brit Awards on River Thames

The award-winning band, fronted by Chris Martin, will play new single Higher Power from a pontoon close to London's O2 Arena, where the ceremony is taking place.

Greenwich is set to host an audience of 4,000 for the event next week as part of the Government's live events pilot scheme, with no social distancing required.

A large proportion of the crowd will be made up of key workers invited to attend, and the arena will also witness the Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Choir perform alongside superstars at the event.

The Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Choir

Coldplay will join Arlo Parks, Dua Lipa, Griff, Headie One, Olivia Rodrigo and Rag'n'Bone Man and P!nk heading along with the chart-topping local NHS choir.

Rag'n'Bone Man and Pink, due to perform on May 11

It will be Coldplay's first TV performance in more than a year. They last played at the Brits in 2017 with dance music duo Chainsmokers, and before that in 2016.

Coldplay also currently hold the title of being the most nominated group at the Brits, with 28 nominations in total and nine award wins.

There will be an audience of 4,000 people at this year's event, hosted by Jack Whitehall, as part of the Government's live events pilot scheme.

The O2 Arena on the Greenwich Peninsula

Lipa, Parks, Celeste, rap duo Young T & Bugsey and DJ and producer Joel Corry are all nominated three times.

Jessie Ware, dance music duo Bicep and rappers AJ Tracey, J Hus and Headie One all scored two nominations apiece.

The Brit Awards will take place on May 11 at the O2 Arena in London.