Taylor made for Brits!

COVID HITS FOREIGN ACTS

NEXT month’s BRIT Awards are likely to be an entirely homegrown affair unless one major International star is in town – Taylor Swift.

Normally, huge foreign artists grace the UK music industry’s big night to perform, collect awards or simply party.

However, Covid travel restrictions mean that coming to Britain remains unlikely for most, if not all, of the overseas awards contenders. But organisers are hoping an exception can be made – International Female nominee Taylor, as she has been spending time in the

UK with London-based boyfriend Joe Alwyn.

A source told me: “With all the travel restrictions the

BRITS are focused on homegrown acts but are keen to get one big international name for the global audience, and they don’t come much bigger than Taylor.”

Taylor has been living and recording music between Nashville and the UK over the past 12 months so quarantine would not be a problem. However, most of the musicians she normally works with are American, so it would have to either be something unique or involve more quarantine. Other nominees in the International categories such as Bruce Springsteen, Ariana Grande, Miley Cyrus, Foo Fighters and Burna Boy

almost certainly won’t be able to come because of restrictions. It’s a shame because some of the most memorable BRITS performances in recent times were by the big visiting names, such as Billie Eilish last year. And who could forget Kendrick Lamar

smashing up a car in 2018, Katy Perry

dancing with political effigies in 2017 and Madonna stacking it in 2015.

So far only UK artists Arlo Parks, Headie One and Dua Lipa are confirmed for the May 11 ceremony at London’s O2 Arena, but I’m told organisers are keeping all options open.

A source said: “The logistics of creating a show during a pandemic are obviously difficult and changing constantly. Things may change again in a couple of weeks, but the homegrown talent is particularly strong this year so there’s no shortage of options.”