Reps for Sombr have confirmed that the on-stage ambush at his 2026 BRIT Awards performance was planned.
On Saturday (February 28), the awards show went down at Manchester’s Co-op Live, with the ’12 to 12′ artist up for International Artist of the Year and International Song of the Year for his single ‘Undressed’.
While performing the latter, a man suddenly rushed the stage and pushed him off the platform he was singing from, prompting security to apprehend the supposed intruder and escort him off the stage.
Amid the chaos, a backdrop fell away, revealing a full band as Sombr continued on with his next track, ‘Back to Friends’. Despite the smooth transition, fans were divided over whether the incident was staged.
While many took note that the offender sported a shirt that read “Sombr is a homewrecker” — a nod to his latest single – but others weren’t convinced it was a stunt because of how hard he was pushed.
BRITs host Jack Whitehall remarked on the incident after the performance ended, quipping: “Such a shame we didn’t have the security ready.”
The moment proved controversial online, where many expressed disappointment he chose to pull the stunt in Manchester, where where the awards show was held for the first time in its 50-year history.
“Doing this in manchester of all places is disgusting,” wrote one fan, with many in agreement given the city was left reeling after the Manchester Arena bomb attack in 2017.
At an Ariana Grande concert that year, a suicide bomber detonated an improvised device in the foyer of the AO Arena as fans left the concert. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack, which killed 22 people and injured hundreds more.
“Sombr doing that publicity stunt was so disappointing and [tone deaf]. He is a great artist but my god his team have made a blunder in Manchester of all places,” added one user, with another saying: “If that Sombr stage assault was a PR stunt, I find it in really really poor form considering what is forever a part of Manchester’s live music history.”
Shortly after the performance came to a close, Sombr’s rep confirmed to Variety that the whole thing was indeed planned.
NME caught up with Sombr at the BRITs to talk about the massive response to his debut album.
“You can’t expect anything like that,” he said of its success, “but I’m thankful and I’m thankful for the British people for accepting the album with open arms, and I love it here.”
He went on to name iconic British acts he’d been inspired by, saying that while he loved America, musicians from the UK “beats them in terms of iconic acts”, listing the likes of the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Elton John, the Stone Roses, Verve, and Oasis.
As for what he has in store this year, he promised there were some “really big things to look out for this year that I think people have been waiting a while for”.
Elsewhere at the awards show, Harry Styles’ opened the evening with his first public performance in three years, there was a surprise appearance from Bjork alongside Rosalía, and Olivia Dean, HUNTR/X’s EJAE, Audrey Nuna and REI AMI, Wolf Alice, Mark Ronson, Alex Warren, and RAYE all performed.
Noel Gallagher also attended after Oasis’ huge ‘Live ‘25’ reunion tour, and was awarded the Songwriter Of The Year award, while PinkPantheress is the youngest recipient and first female winner of the Producer Of The Year award.
Ozzy Osbourne was honoured with the BRITs Lifetime Achievement Award following his passing in July, and he also received a tribute performance from Robbie Williams alongside members of Ozzy’s band over the years including Adam Wakeman, Robert Trujillo, Tommy Clufetos and Zakk Wylde.
See the full list of winners here.