Sombr has spoken to NME about his love for UK music, and said that he thinks that Britain surpasses the US when it comes to producing “iconic acts”. Check out the full interview above.
The American pop phenomenon spoke to NME on the red carpet for the 2026 BRIT Awards, which was held at the Co-op Live in Manchester for the first time on Saturday (February 28).
On the night, Sombr was nominated in two categories: International Artist alongside Bad Bunny, Chappell Roan, Lady Gaga, Sabrina Carpenter and more, and also for International Song with his hit single ‘Undressed’.
He took to the stage for a performance of ‘Undressed’ and ‘Back To Friends’ too, and got fans talking after his set ended abruptly with someone rushing to the stage and pushing off the platform, sporting a shirt that read “Sombr is a homewrecker”. He later revealed that the moment was a planned stunt.
Speaking to NME on the red carpet before the performance, Sombr shared that he was pleased to be back in the UK – particularly because of how much inspiration he has taken from British acts over the years.
When asked about why the UK feels like a second home to him, he told us that it was predominately due to artists like “The Beatles, the Stones, David Bowie, and Elton John” resonating with him, as well as local Manchester talent including The Stone Roses, The Verve and Oasis.
“The list goes on,” he said, adding that he was planning on going round the room during the live event to “try to introduce myself” to some of his favourite artists.
“I just love it here,” he added. “It’s the music that comes from the UK [that clicks with me]. In my opinion, I love America, but I think acts from the UK just beat them, in terms of iconic acts”.
Sombr went on to say that he felt “honoured” to be at the awards and “thankful for the British people for accepting” his debut album ‘I Barely Know Her’ with “open arms”, before naming his upcoming slot at Coachella 2026 as one of the things he is most looking forward to later this year.
He also reflected on how host Jack Whitehall recently revealed to NME that, despite being a fan of his music, he always thought Sombr was a band until he started recording voiceovers for the BRITs.
“I’ve had that a lot,” Sombr said. “I think it’s because some of the music I make feels like music that a band would make… but it’s just me! Maybe it’s because I’m inspired by so many bands. But it’s cool!”
Other performers on the night included Harry Styles, who opened the evening with his first public performance in three years, as well as Bjork and Rosalía, Olivia Dean, HUNTR/X’s EJAE, Audrey Nuna and REI AMI, Wolf Alice, Mark Ronson, Robbie Williams, Alex Warren, and RAYE.
Noel Gallagher attended after Oasis’ huge ‘Live ‘25’ reunion tour, and was awarded the Songwriter Of The Year award, and others being honoured on the night included PinkPantheress (Producer Of The Year), Ozzy Osbourne (BRITs Lifetime Achievement Award), and Mark Ronson (Outstanding Contribution).
While nominated in two categories, Sombr went home empty handed on the night, with International Artist going to Rosalía, and International Song going to Rosé and Bruno Mars for ‘APT.’. See the full list of winners here.
Sombr’s debut album ‘I Barely Know Her’ was released in August and given a four-star NME review, which described it as an “album driven by heartache” and “a gloriously dynamic record that’s less about misery and more about catharsis. It’s sad boy indie with a smirk.
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