2021 in British Music

The Story of 2021

Live music returned, tentatively and emotionally. Summer festivals happened – Reading and Leeds, Latitude, the first major gatherings since 2019. The feeling was euphoric. Dave released 'We're All Alone in This Together', another Mercury-nominated album, with 'In the Fire', 'Clash' with Stormzy, and the stunning 'Heart Attack'. Little Simz released 'Sometimes I Might Be Introvert', a masterpiece that won the Mercury Prize – 'Introvert', 'Woman' and 'Point and Kill' showing her extraordinary range. Adele returned with '30', her divorce album, 'Easy on Me' breaking streaming records. The album was a phenomenon, Adele proving once again that she was Britain's most beloved artist. Ed Sheeran's '=' (equals) continued his consistent output. Central Cee emerged as drill's biggest star, 'Obsessed With You' and 'Little Bit of This' making him the face of the new generation. The Brit Awards returned with a live audience. The live music industry was slowly recovering, but the pandemic's scars remained – many venues had closed permanently, and the touring ecosystem was fragile. British music was resilient, and the year's best albums proved the quality was undimmed.