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Look, I truly hate to start things off sounding like Tony The Tiger here, but it has to be said. It felt grrrreat, didn't it? To see Olivia Dean, Lola Young, The Cure, FKA Twigs, Cynthia Erivo and Yungblud all honoured at the Grammys was not just a case of individual victories. It was a victory for British talent as a whole the clearest indication yet that positive change is afoot.
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"These Grammy wins for Olivia Dean and Lola Young mark a pivotal moment in the resurgence of British music on the global stage," reflected Universal Music UK & Ireland chairman & CEO Dickon Stainer on the major's performance on the night. "Seeing these young artists recognised alongside The Cure, after their near 50-year wait, is the surest sign yet that British talent is moving back to its rightful place at the forefront of worldwide music."
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Of course, this latest indicator followed another recent example, too. Last month, the BRITs nominations were revealed and once again the feeling was very much that the strength of talent -on display across the board was the strongest in years. And not just with returning superstars, but also with Breakthrough Artist nominees like Barry Can't Swim, EsDeeKid, Jim Legxacy, Lola Young and Skye Newman. Put it this way, when a UK rapper has teens around the world saying 'Jurgen' in a Scouse accent, you know things are going well. We are so back.
"The breadth of artists nominated reflects a thriving year in music and reaffirms that British artists continue to capture imaginations across the globe," praised Stacey Tang, chair of the 2026 BRIT Awards Committee and co-president of RCA Records at Sony Music UK. "I think this list is a powerful demonstration of how vibrant and varied music is right now, with artists across different genres and generations reflecting music that is both commercially successful and has lasting cultural impact. At its core, the BRIT Awards exists to celebrate creativity, and these nominations set the stage for an exciting and memorable night."
After some tough years and a lot of soul-searching, there is a feeling building now that the wind is back in our sails. The importance of the BRIT School as a talent incubator in all of this was one common denominator many picked up on, with winners on the night such as Lola Young, Olivia Dean and FKA Twigs all notable alumni. But in all the examples of winners at the Grammys, the patience, faith and vision of the teams behind them were another pillar.
ipso.
Three years ago, I interviewed Rebecca Allen and Jo Charrington, then both co-presidents at EMI. Years before the Grammy victory, and with Dean securing a No.4 album debut and a Mercury Prize nom, they were already thinking way beyond such markers. And thinking it out loud. They were going to conduct the cheerleading; the rest of the world would catch up.
"Olivia will get 15 to 20 years in," said Allen, talking about the career longevity they anticipated for her, with Charrington nodding vigorously in agreement beside her. "That's what we believe."
Back in 2020, meanwhile, in her first interview with Music Week, Lola Young was quick and very confident to diagnose a problem with contemporary music that she intended to address. "In this era generally and especially in pop music, honesty is lacking quite a lot," she said. She stuck to her guns, and now she's a Grammy winner.
Speaking as a Manchester United fan, I have witnessed the power of belief work miracles, and the lack of it destroy things. I'm hoping the Grammys will give the British music industry not only a boost, but also a reminder to get behind our acts like never before. Not after they've had success, but before. Way before. Confidence is infectious, more than many people give it credit for.
It is something that's not in short supply in this month's cover story, as Simon Cowell, Cassandra Gracey, Louis Bloom and more outline their masterplan to revive another British music institution: the boyband. After the success of December 10's Netflix show, they know there will still be challenges. There will be naysayers. But they're leaning in with everything they have; they're making a statement; and, crucially, they believe the world will catch up.
George Garner, Editor-In-Chief george.garner@futurenet.com
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