Manchester’s Deansgate train station has been temporarily rebranded ‘Olivia Deansgate’ in honour of singer-songwriter Olivia Dean, ahead of the 2026 BRIT Awards taking place in the city next Saturday, February 28th.
The renaming, confirmed by train operator Northern, is a tribute to Dean, who is nominated for five awards at this year’s ceremony, including Artist of the Year. The BRIT Awards are being held outside of London for the first time in their 50-year history, with the event taking place at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester.
While many have welcomed the gesture, some commuters have expressed confusion. One user on X, formerly known as Twitter, described the change as a “project designed to confuse tourists.” Northern responded to concerns, stating that the signs would revert to their original name following the BRIT Awards.
Dean’s rise to prominence has been rapid. She released her debut studio album, ‘Messy’, in 2023, receiving critical acclaim and nominations for the Mercury Prize and three BRIT Awards. Her second album, ‘The Art Of Loving’, released last year, saw her become the first female solo artist to simultaneously have four singles in the UK Top 10. NME described the album as cementing her place as a “popstar risen,” placing her alongside artists like RAYE and Sam Fender.
Earlier this month, Dean was awarded the Grammy Award for Best New Artist, using her acceptance speech to highlight the influence of immigration.
The 2026 BRIT Awards will be hosted by Jack Whitehall for the sixth consecutive year. The trophy itself has been designed by Matthew Williamson, taking inspiration from the city of Manchester. Performers scheduled to appear include Harry Styles, Olivia Dean, HUNTR/X’s EJAE, Audrey Nuna and REI AMI, Wolf Alice, Mark Ronson, Alex Warren, Sombr and Rosalía.
Jacob Alon has been named the winner of the 2026 BRITs Critics’ Choice Award. Alongside Dean, Lola Young, Sam Fender, Lily Allen and Jim Legxacy are among the nominees leading the way in terms of nominations this year. Mark Ronson will receive the Outstanding Contribution to Music award, and Noel Gallagher will be honoured with the Songwriter Of The Year award.
The ceremony will be broadcast on ITV1 in the UK, with performances also being shared globally on YouTube.
