Here are our predictions for tonight's BRIT Awards - who's going to win, and why

The ceremony takes place at London's O2 Arena with performances by Coldplay and Dua Lipa

As Ireland continues to grapple with reopening shops, restaurants and pubs, the UK is ploughing ahead with large-scale live music events.

The first big indoor event in over a year is set to take place tonight at London's O2 Arena, where the rescheduled BRIT Awards will take place in front of an audience of 4,000 (most of them key workers from the Greater London area.)

While you're seething with jealously at the prospect of a gig, the good news is that it is televised and will be on Irish TV on Virgin Media Two from 8pm tonight.

Dua Lipa, Celeste and Arlo Parks are among the performers, while Coldplay are set to open the show with a bang as they play on a boat floating down the River Thames. Talk about extra, Chris.

The biggest question is – who is up for an award, and who is likely to win? Let's take a look into our (disclaimer: somewhat dusty) crystal ball to find out...

FEMALE SOLO ARTIST

Arlo Parks
Celeste
Dua Lipa
Jessie Ware
Lianne la Havas

It's been a strong year for female artists, with the likes of newcomers Arlo Parks and Celeste making a big impression. However, few of them have had the impact of the brilliant Dua Lipa – and it's she who deserves to win.

Prediction: Dua Lipa

MALE SOLO ARTIST

AJ Tracey
Headie One
J Hus
Joel Corry
Yungblud

Hip-hop unsurprisingly dominates this category, although DJ/producer Joel Corry and rocker Yungblud fly the flag for their genres. However, we're calling it for AJ Tracey, who's had a huge year.

Prediction: AJ Tracey

BRITISH GROUP

Bicep
Biffy Clyro
Little Mix
The 1975
Young T & Bugsey

This is certainly an odd mish-mash of bands, duos and groups from across all genres – it's almost as if the BRITS wanted to show just how diverse the scene is right now. We're going to call it for The 1975, who probably wouldn't offend anyone by winning.

Prediction: The 1975

BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST

Arlo Parks
Bicep
Celeste
Joel Corry
Young T & Bugsey

It's odd to see the likes of Bicep on lists like this, considering the Northern Irish duo have been around for years. That said, it's called the 'breakthrough' award, not the 'newcomer' award. Even so, there's no getting away from the huge year that Arlo Parks has had. She would be a deserved winner of this award (and she's performing on the night - which shouldn't mean anything, but...)

Prediction: Arlo Parks

BRITISH SINGLE

Don’t Need Love – 220 Kid and Gracey
Rain – Aitch and AJ Tracey featuring Tay Keith
Physical – Dua Lipa
Watermelon Sugar – Harry Styles
Ain’t It Different – Headie One featuring AJ Tracey and Stormzy
Head & Heart – Joel Corry featuring MNEK
Lighter – Nathan Dawe featuring KSI
Secrets – Regard and Raye
Rover – S1mba featuring DTG
Don’t Rush – Young T & Bugsey featuring Headie One

This is a tough one to call. Although the likes of Harry Styles and Dua Lipa jump out because they're pop and internationally-renowned, the dominance of the hip-hop, urban and grime scene in the UK cannot be underestimated. Nor can dance tunes like 'Head & Heart'. Even so... we're calling it for the safe bet that is Harry Styles. (Sorry, Harry.)

Prediction: 'Watermelon Sugar' – Harry Styles

BRITISH ALBUM

Collapsed In Sunbeams – Arlo Parks
Not Your Muse – Celeste
Future Nostalgia – Dua Lipa
Big Conspiracy – J Hus
What’s Your Pleasure? – Jessie Ware

Every album on this list has been largely critically acclaimed. The deserved winner would probably be someone like Jessie Ware, who has more than paid her dues and turned in a fantastic record with 'What's Your Pleasure?'. Nevertheless, we will never not campaign for Dua Lipa's 'Future Nostalgia' in any category it's nominated in, simply because it's a modern classic pop album.

Prediction: 'Future Nostalgia' – Dua Lipa

INTERNATIONAL FEMALE SOLO ARTIST

Ariana Grande
Billie Eilish
Cardi B
Miley Cyrus
Taylor Swift

It's been a biiiiig year for Taylor Swift, with the release of two new albums and the re-recording of her back catalogue. We wouldn't bet against her – but with Billie Eilish back in the news with a new album on the way, she may well run her close. Our heart says Billie, our head says Taylor.

Prediction: Taylor Swift

INTERNATIONAL MALE SOLO ARTIST

Bruce Springsteen
Burna Boy
Childish Gambino
Tame Impala
The Weeknd

This is a bit of an odd category. Why is Bruce Springsteen in there, rubbing shoulders with Burna Boy? Why are Tame Impala (who are a band – led by Kevin Parker, but a band nonetheless) in there? It all seems more than a little tokenistic. The man who deserves to win is The Weeknd.

Prediction: The Weeknd

INTERNATIONAL GROUP

BTS
Fontaines DC
Foo Fighters
Haim
Run The Jewels

It's our patriotic duty to declare the brilliant Fontaines DC as the unofficial winners of this category, but you can never bet against the might of K-pop and BTS may well prove a safer bet for the judging panel. Haim are also a good shout, considering they released their best album yet last year - but they're unlikely to win.

Prediction: BTS (but we really want Fontaines DC to win)