Is it time the Brit Awards shifted their focus to include more alternative acts?

Words by Felix Bartlett | March 02, 2025

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Last night’s BRIT Awards felt like a familiar tale: pop and mainstream acts dominated the stage, while alternative and rock artists were left waiting in the wings. Sure, it was no surprise that Charli XCX walked away with multiple awards—BRAT summer was a seismic shock to main stream culture that took the world by storm. But what about the alt and rock acts that have been pushing boundaries, shaping culture, and cultivating fiercely loyal fanbases? Where was their moment in the spotlight?

Bring Me The Horizon and The Cure, two iconic acts representing different generations of alternative music, were both nominated for ‘Group of the Year.’ Yet, pitted against the likes of Coldplay, Ezra Collective, and The Last Dinner Party, their chances seemed slim from the start. And slim they remained—neither took home the award.

But let’s talk about the real head-scratcher: the ‘Best Alt/Rock Act’ category. Bring Me The Horizon, one of the most influential bands in the UK alternative scene, weren’t even nominated. Why? Where were Enter Shikari, Architects, or even RØRY? Instead, Sam Fender—a talented artist, no doubt—took home the prize. While Fender’s work is deserving of recognition, the absence of heavier acts in this category felt like a missed opportunity to celebrate the diversity of UK music.

This isn’t just about one awards show; it’s about a broader issue. It’s frustrating to see groundbreaking artists overlooked year after year, especially when the UK has such a rich history of producing world-class rock and heavy music. The Cure, for instance, are legends who’ve shaped the sound of alternative music for decades. Bring Me The Horizon, meanwhile, have spent years evolving their sound, blending genres, and headlining festivals worldwide. Their influence is undeniable and although they took home an award last year this year they felt a tad sidelined.

Perhaps it’s time for the BRITs to take a page out of the Grammys’ book and introduce a dedicated rock category. Better yet, why not expand the alt/rock category to ensure a wider range of artists are recognised? The UK music scene is too vibrant and diverse to be reduced to a handful of mainstream acts.

Of course, there are other award ceremonies that do a fantastic job of celebrating alternative and heavy music. The Heavy Music Awards, for example, have become a vital platform for rock and metal artists. But these events don’t get the same mainstream coverage as the BRITs. And that’s the problem. Alternative music deserves more than a niche audience—it deserves to be celebrated on the biggest stages.

The BRITs have the power to shine a light on the incredible talent within the UK’s alternative scene. Instead, they continue to play it safe, sticking to the same predictable script. It’s time for change. It’s time for the BRITs to recognise that rock and alternative music aren’t just alive and well—they’re thriving.

What do you think? Should the BRITs do more to celebrate alternative and rock artists, or are ceremonies like the Heavy Music Awards enough? Let’s start the conversation—because UK heavy music deserves its moment in the mainstream spotlight.