Coldplay to open The BRIT Awards 2021 with performance filmed on the Thames

Coldplay will open The BRIT Awards 2021 with a performance filmed on the Thames – as the ceremony is to become the UK’s first major indoor music event since Covid-19.

The band, fronted by lead singer Chris Martin, 44, secretly recorded the show opener in front of the O2 from a barge on Thursday night, ahead of the live event, presented by Jack Whitehall, 32, on May 11.

Chris, alongside band mates Jon Buckland, 43, Guy Berryman, 43, and Will Champion, 42, performed their new single Higher Power, and had a colourful explosion of pyrotechnics over the water.

Grand show: Coldplay will open The BRIT Awards 2021 with a performance filmed on the Thames – as the ceremony is to become the UK’s first major indoor music event since Covid-19

A source told MailOnline: ‘Coldplay have been planning this performance for months.

‘They wanted nothing more than to return with new music at The BRIT Awards but due to coronavirus – and the risk of bad weather – some parts of the ceremony have been pre-recorded.’

The BRIT Awards will be the first time Coldplay perform their new single that is taken from their upcoming album Music Of The Spheres.

Greatest showman: The band is fronted by lead singer Chris Martin, who was previously married to actress Gwyneth Paltrow

Showcase: He secretly recorded the show opener in front of the O2 from a barge on Thursday night

Greatest showman: The band, fronted by lead singer Chris Martin, 44, (pictured) secretly recorded the show opener in front of the O2 from a barge on Thursday night

Back on stage!: Chris, alongside band mates Jon Buckland, 43, Guy Berryman, 43, and Will Champion, 42, performed their new single Higher Power

Back on stage!: Chris, alongside band mates Jon Buckland, 43, Guy Berryman, 43, and Will Champion, 42, performed their new single Higher Power

Colourful: The performance is set to feature a huge array of colour pyrotechnics, along with a vibrant smoke explosion

Colourful: The performance is set to feature a huge array of colour pyrotechnics, along with a vibrant smoke explosion

Here they are!: The group were seen making their way down to the barge on the River Thames to record the performance in east London

Here they are!: The group were seen making their way down to the barge on the River Thames to record the performance in east London

Energetic: They performed a rendition of their newest single Higher Power, which is expected to be released next week

Energetic: They performed a rendition of their newest single Higher Power, which is expected to be released next week

Grand show: Chris displayed his signature performing energy

Kicking things off: He took to the barge with his bandmates for the performance

Grand show: Chris displayed his signature performing energy as he took to the barge with his bandmates

In the works: A source told MailOnline: 'Coldplay have been planning this for months' while a BRITs insider revealed the performance will form an 'exciting part of the show'

In the works: A source told MailOnline: ‘Coldplay have been planning this for months’ while a BRITs insider revealed the performance will form an ‘exciting part of the show’

A BRITs insider said: ‘It’s believed Coldplay were rehearsing for something that will form a hugely exciting part of the show.

‘Everyone is so excited about the BRITs signalling the return of live music and it’s thought the band really wanted to do something very special to celebrate this.

‘It will be a performance people talk about for years. Coldplay are expected to make their return and there is no bigger platform than the Brits to do this.’ 

Reports: The source added that parts of this year's BRIT Awards have been pre-recorded

Concerns: It was due to fears over coronavirus or the risk of 'bad weather'

Reports: The source added that parts of this year’s BRIT Awards have been pre-recorded due to concerns over coronavirus or the risk of ‘bad weather’

Debut: The BRIT Awards will be the first time Coldplay perform their new single, that is taken from their upcoming album Music Of The Spheres

Debut: The BRIT Awards will be the first time Coldplay perform their new single, that is taken from their upcoming album Music Of The Spheres

Anticipated: An insider added that it was believe Coldplay were rehearsing 'hugely exciting'

Kicking it off: Given they are the opening act, the band will form a hugely exciting part of the show

Anticipated: A BRITs insider said: ‘It’s believed Coldplay were rehearsing for something that will form a hugely exciting part of the show’

Iconic: The insider added: 'Everyone is so excited about the Brits signalling the return of live music and it's thought the band really wanted to do something very special to celebrate this'

Iconic: The insider added: ‘Everyone is so excited about the Brits signalling the return of live music and it’s thought the band really wanted to do something very special to celebrate this’

Historic: 'It will be a performance people talk about for years. Coldplay are expected to make their return and there is no bigger platform than the Brits to do this'

Historic: ‘It will be a performance people talk about for years. Coldplay are expected to make their return and there is no bigger platform than the Brits to do this’

A long wait: It has been almost two years since Coldplay released Everyday Life

Awaited: They released their eighth consecutive No1 album in 2019

A long wait: It has been almost two years since Coldplay released Everyday Life, their eighth consecutive No1 album in 2019

Star-studded: The BRITs, held at London's O2 next month, will also see performances from three-time BRIT Award winner Dua Lipa, 25, and international music star P!nk, 41

Star-studded: The BRITs, held at London’s O2 next month, will also see performances from three-time BRIT Award winner Dua Lipa, 25, and international music star P!nk, 41

It has been almost two years since Coldplay released Everyday Life, their eighth consecutive No1 album.

The BRITs, held at London’s O2 next month, will also see performances from three-time BRIT Award winner Dua Lipa, 25, and international music star P!nk, 41.

Rag’n’Bone Man, 36, and Arlo Parks, 20, are also set to take to the stage, as well as the Greenwich NHS Trust Choir.

Night to remember: Rag'n'Bone Man, 36, and Arlo Parks, 20, are also set to take to the stage, as well as the Greenwich NHS Trust Choir

Night to remember: Rag’n’Bone Man, 36, and Arlo Parks, 20, are also set to take to the stage, as well as the Greenwich NHS Trust Choir

Wow!: Fireworks could be seen being launched into the sky above the O2 arena, as part of the grand opening show

Wow!: Fireworks could be seen being launched into the sky above the O2 arena, as part of the grand opening show

What a display: Known for their colourful performances, it appears Coldplay won't disappoint with their incredible show

What a display: Known for their colourful performances, it appears Coldplay won’t disappoint with their incredible show

Long-awaited: It was reported earlier this month that Coldplay were planning to release their first album in two years after recording new music during lockdown

Long-awaited: It was reported earlier this month that Coldplay were planning to release their first album in two years after recording new music during lockdown

It was reported earlier this month that Coldplay were planning to release their first album in two years after recording new music during lockdown.

According to reports back in February, the band registered to trademark the name of their ninth album.

And official documents now show the band have formally applied to use the name on recorded music, merchandise, clothing and printed materials in the US, according to The Sun. 

Secret plans: According to reports, the band registered to trademark the name of their album

Soon: The band dropped hints in 2018 that their next album might be called Music Of The Spheres

Secret plans: According to reports back in February, the band registered to trademark the name of their ninth album

Getting ready: And official documents now show the band have formally applied to use the name on recorded music, merchandise, clothing and printed materials in the US

Getting ready: And official documents now show the band have formally applied to use the name on recorded music, merchandise, clothing and printed materials in the US

Drama: It was previously thought that the four band mates are currently stuck in a legal dispute with officials over the use of the branding according to official paperwork

Drama: It was previously thought that the four band mates are currently stuck in a legal dispute with officials over the use of the branding according to official paperwork

Breather: As Chris and his bandmates boarded the London barge, the group were seen taking a short breather before kicking off the performance

Breather: As Chris and his bandmates boarded the London barge, the group were seen taking a short breather before kicking off the performance

Amazing: As ever it appeared Chris and the group would be putting on a spectacular show for viewers

Not long now! The BRIT Awards are set to take place next month

Amazing: As ever it appeared Chris and the group would be putting on a spectacular show for viewers when they tune into the BRIT Awards next month

But paperwork in the US reportedly shows the four band mates are currently stuck in a legal dispute with officials over the use of the branding.

According to the publication, records show the application was initially declined, but is now ‘suspended’ until a patent is secured in the UK.

But this patent is reportedly imminent as The Sun reports their claim to the name was published by the Intellectual Property Office a few weeks ago.

Secure: The group were surrounded by security and police throughout the show, which hopefully delight fans after months of closures due to the Covid lockdown

Secure: The group were surrounded by security and police throughout the show, which hopefully delight fans after months of closures due to the Covid lockdown

The band dropped hints in 2018 that their next album might be called Music Of The Spheres.

In the pages of a book accompanying a vinyl version of their eighth album Everyday Life, the words ‘Music Of The Spheres’ are written on one of the pages with ‘Coldplay, coming soon’ printed beneath in small lettering.

An image next to the Music Of The Spheres logo contains nine symbols, each representing an album, with the ninth being the next to be released.   

Bang! The performance will be packed with pyrotechnics and coloured smoke displays as it kicks off the star-studded BRIT Awards

Bang! The performance will be packed with pyrotechnics and coloured smoke displays as it kicks off the star-studded BRIT Awards

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