Some of the biggest names in British music united at the Brit Awards this weekend to back the Make It Fair campaign to stop AI plundering the UK’s creative genius.
In a stark message to Labour, the award organisers put a photo booth on the red carpet for stars to voice protests to plans to give artificial intelligence (AI) developers an exception to copyright law.
Musicians, writers and artists warn the plans will allow AI companies to destroy Britain’s £126 billion creative industries as their tech ‘steals’ online content on an ‘industrial scale’.
Stars at London’s O2 arena on Saturday night night posed for photos to back the Make It Fair campaign or recorded powerful videos of support.
McFly guitarist Danny Jones, who won I’m A Celebrity last year, and bandmate Tom Fletcher were among the first in the photo booth.
They were followed by indie rock girlband The Last Dinner Party, whose album Prelude To Ecstasy was up for Album of the Year.
Some of the biggest names in British music united at the Brit Awards this weekend to back the Make It Fair campaign to stop AI plundering the UK’s creative genius (Paloma Faith seen)
In a stark message to Labour, the award organisers put a photo booth on the red carpet for stars to voice protests to plans to give artificial intelligence (AI) developers an exception to copyright law (Lola Young)
Kasabian frontman Sergio Pizzorno also had his picture taken in the booth, as did Paloma Faith, Myles Smith, Lola Young, Rachel Chinouriri, FLO and Nia Archives.
Scottish star Tom Walker, who wrote and sang the hit Leave A Light On, summed up the protest by saying: ‘Just leave it to musicians to make music.’
At the O2, guests enjoyed a three-course, black-tie dinner beneath huge screens projecting the Make It Fair banner with the slogan, ‘Don’t let AI steal our music’.
Government proposals to make sweeping changes to copyright law would give tech firms free access to British films, books, music and news to train AI models – without needing to pay or seek permissions from the people who created it or own the rights.
Creators would have to register an opt-out if they did not want their work exploited by such firms. At present their copyright is protected automatically.
There is also a threat to Britain’s free press, with journalistic content taken from newspaper websites without recompense.
A Brits source said: ‘The timing of the awards was perfect for the campaign. Record label bosses have been helping their stars understand what is at stake and have been encouraging them to speak out if they win.’
BBC Radio One DJ Arielle Free praised the Mail’s crusade to prevent the AI plunder, adding: ‘The artists here are getting behind it.’
McFly guitarist Danny Jones, who won I’m A Celebrity last year, and bandmate Tom Fletcher were among the first in the photo booth
Musicians, writers and artists warn the plans will allow AI companies to destroy Britain’s £126 billion creative industries as their tech ‘steals’ online content on an ‘industrial scale’ (Ella Henderson)
Stars at London ‘s O2 arena on Saturday night night posed for photos to back the Make It Fair campaign or recorded powerful videos of support (The Last Dinner Party)
Government proposals to make sweeping changes to copyright law would give tech firms free access to British films, books, music and news to train AI models
On Friday Sir Keir Starmer signalled a possible climbdown.
Asked if his plans were ‘set in stone’, the Prime Minister said: ‘No, all that’s happened is there’s been a consultation. The creative sector is really important to our economy.
‘AI is really important to our economy, and we’ll review it in that light. But I want creatives to thrive. I think they’re really important for our country – not just the contribution to the economy but to our global reputation.’
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle held four meetings with executives from Amazon, Google, Meta and Microsoft during his first three months in the post.
Further sit-downs followed with Apple, TikTok and X.
The campaign cover wrap states: ‘MAKE IT FAIR: The government wants to change the UK’s laws to favour big tech platforms so they can use British creative content to power their AI models without our permission or payment.
‘Let’s protect the creative industries – it’s only fair.’
The 2025 BRIT Awards ceremony was hosted by comedian Jack Whitehall, marking his fifth time at the helm of the event, after having previously presented the show in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.
The star-studded event took place once again at London’s O2 Arena with the trophy this year designed by the talented Gabriel Moses.
The night featured massive performances from Ezra Collective and special guest Jorja Smith.
They joined an exciting lineup of acts including Jade Thirlwall, Sabrina Carpenter, Sam Fender, Lola Young, Teddy Swims, and The Last Dinner Party.
Charli XCX was originally set to perform but decided not to despite months of negotiations.
According to a close source, the decision comes as she shifted her focus toward preparing for the Grammy Awards, which took place earlier this month.
The pop singer led the 2025 BRIT Awards nominations with five nods, closely followed by Dua Lipa who had been recognised in four categories.
In the end, Charli’s smash hit album BRAT swept the board and took home all of the five awards she was nominated for.
The British singer, 32, whose No1 album became a cultural phenomenon last summer, took home Best Album, Artist of The Year, Song Of The Year, Best Dance Act and Best Song Writing.
Charli’s incredible sweep mirrored Raye’s own triumph at last year’s ceremony which saw the 27-year-old made history after scooping a record breaking six gongs.
She made history when her No1 album Brat became a cultural phenomenon last summer along with the colour slime green as millions of fans showed their support by posting clips of Charli’s Apple Dance on TikTok.
Dua, 29, who is already the recipient of seven BRITs, went head-to-head against Charli for Song Of The Year with hit Training Season, Artist Of The Year, Pop Act, and Album Of The Year with Radical Optimism.
US superstar Taylor Swift, 35, battled it out with Billie Eilish in the International Artist Of The Year category, which also featured Beyoncé, Sabrina Carpenter, and Chappell Roan, as well as for the International Song Of The Year accolade.
Sabrina landed her first BRIT when she scooped the special Global Success Award, presented by Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown, 21.
Thanking her UK fans American singer quipped that a ‘predominantly tea drinking country’ had ‘streamed the s***’ out of her smash hit track Espresso.
However the banger was pipped to the post for Best International Song Of The Year to Chappell Roan for her own catchy tune Good Luck, Babe.
The HOT TO GO singer, 27, later went on to beat the likes of Beyoncé and Billie Eilish to win Best International Artist.
The winners of five genre awards – Alternative/Rock Act, Dance Act, Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Act, Pop Act, R&B Act – were determined by a public vote exclusively through WhatsApp for the first time ever.
Sam Fender was announced as the winner for Alternative Rock Act for a second time.
It marks his third BRIT after winning the Rising Star Award (previously Critics’ Choice Award) in 2019 and Alternative Rock Act in 2022.
Accepting the award, he joked: ‘As you can tell I’m a little bit nervous, I’m nowhere near as drunk as last time.’
‘Massive thanks to the fans, we’ve got the best fans in the world. To everybody at home in Newcastle – love you.
‘Huge thanks to my band. Without them, I’m just a mad person shouting at the walls. Love yous all.’
Meanwhile in a shock to some, Jade Thirlwall, 32, beat the Brat singer to be crowned Best Pop Act, making it the former Little Mix star’s first solo Brit.
In her own heartfelt speech, Jade thanked boyfriend Jordan Stephens and her ‘Little Mix sisters’ Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock.
Gushing over her former bandmates she said: ‘I love you so much. I wouldn’t have this award without them. They changed my life and I am so grateful’.
Thanks to globally successful artists Central Cee, Stormzy, and Dave, British rap was well represented at this year’s awards.
Central Cee earned nods in the Song Of The Year category as well as Artist Of The Year, and Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Act.
Stormzy won his fourth BRIT after scooping the Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Act as he took to the stage wearing shades.
He said: ‘I think Central Cee was the best rap artist of year, but I am very grateful. This is a mad funny time for me to win an award.
‘I’m wearing shades because I’ve got a bruised cornea, I mashed my eye playing paddle.’
Creators would have to register an opt-out if they did not want their work exploited by such firms. At present their copyright is protected automatically
There is also a threat to Britain’s free press, with journalistic content taken from newspaper websites without recompense
A Brits source said: ‘The timing of the awards was perfect for the campaign. Record label bosses have been helping their stars understand what is at stake and have been encouraging them to speak out if they win’ (Rachel Chinouriri seen)
The jazz quintet Ezra Collective, who won the Mercury prize in 2023, landed four nominations for Best New Artist, Group Of The Year, Alternative Rock Act and Album Of The Year for their body of work Dance, No One’s Watching.
Their biggest competition came from The Last Dinner Party who were also up for Best New Artist, Group Of The Year, Alternative Rock Act and Album Of The Year.
Following their own performance earlier in the evening, 2024 Rising Star Awards winners The Last Dinner Party won the much coveted Best New Artist.
Taking to the stage the fans gushed: ‘This is truly the biggest honour of our lives!’.
Ezra Collective were named the Group of the Year, and closed out the ceremony with their performance.
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