Universal Music Group UK Spotlights The Next Wave of British Talent at Pre-BRIT Awards Showcase December 10 / FLO / Holly Humberstone

Universal Music's Pre-BRIT Awards Showcase 2026

MANCHESTER, UK — Following the incredible international success of established and up and coming British artists in 2025, Universal Music Group (UMG) UK held its second pre-BRIT Awards Showcase event, with December 10, ​​FLO and Holly Humberstone performing at Manchester's Aviva Studios on Friday, February 27th.

Last year's inaugural showcase shone a light on Sam Fender, Olivia Dean, The Last Dinner Party and Lola Young as ones to watch. The result was undeniable: Sam Fender secured the Mercury Prize with his album People Watching, also his third UK No.1. OliviaDean landed a No.1 in the UK and top 5 in the US with the album The Art of Loving - alsoNo.1 in five countries.

The record was the biggest opening week for a British female artist since Adele in 2021. The Last Dinner Party became the year's definitive breakthrough band and won the Best New Artist award at last year's BRITs. Their second album From The Pyrereceived rave reviews, a creative streak that followed hot on the heels of their acclaimed 2024 debut. Lola Young exploded from a local favourite into a global phenomenon, with both Dean and Young earning nominations in the coveted Best New Artist category at the Grammy Awards, with Olivia Dean winning. Lola Young won Best Pop Solo Performance for 'Messy'. 

This year, UMG UK presented new generation boyband DECEMBER 10, R&B powerhouses FLO and singer/songwriter Holly Humberstone. The event was hosted by DJ and tastemaker Maia Beth.

The showcase anchors a wider 'BRITs Week' for the company which includes UMG's Artist Gifting Suite, Island Records gig at YES, Fringe Week panel appearances and listening events from The Collective including EMI North, the launch of a new music education initiative, a special collaboration at the newly-opened Umusic Shop in Camden with Matthew Williamson (who designed this year's BRIT Awards trophy) and a full refresh of merchandise from BRIT-nominated artists.

This showcase lineup demonstrates the full spectrum of Britain's creative resurgence. 

December 10 are the septet formed on Netflix's Simon Cowell: The Next Act who pair classic boyband appeal with genuine multi-instrumental musicianship. Less than three months on from their reveal and now signed to EMI Records, they've rapidly built momentum with 13 UK & Ireland shows (which sold out within minutes), a viral #1 cover of NSYNC's "Bye, Bye, Bye", and their debut single "Run My Way"

FLO (Jorja Douglas, Stella Quaresma, and Renée Downer) became the first British R&B group in two decades to secure a Grammy nomination last month and are coming off their historic "Access All Areas" US headline tour.

They are the highest charting British R&B girl group in the last 23 years, with over a billion career streams. 

Holly Humberstone is the 2022 BRIT Rising Star winner, whose forensic songwriting reaches a new gothic-pop zenith on her upcoming second album Cruel World, to be released on 10 April 2026. She released first single 'To Love Somebody' in January and will embark on a UK and European tour, as well as playing US festivals Coachella and The Governors Ball. 

"On the eve of British music's biggest night, it is our privilege to showcase this next wave of British talent with FLO, December 10 and Holly Humberstone."

— Dickon Stainer, UMG Chairman/CEO Universal Music Group UK and Ireland