The Arctic Monkeys and Katy Perry have been announced as the first acts to be confirmed for the 2014 Brit Awards, due to take place in February next year. The awards showcase will be held at London's O2 Arena and will be hosted by James Cordon, in what will be his fifth and final appearance as host of the ceremony.

Arctic Monkeys
The Sheffield band aren't known for taking the BRITs seriously

Despite a history of mockery and at times a refusal to even acknowledge the awards show, the acceptance to open the 2014 BRIT Awards marks an acceptance from the band that they are now the country's foremost rock act and it is high time that they recognised this and took advantage with these types of performances.

In the past, beginning in 2006 when they refused to turn up to the awards show, the band have scorned the BRITs and the commercial music industry. In 2007, they accepted an award via a video message, in which all of the band were dressed as characters from The Wizard of Oz. In 2008, they finally accepted the invitation to attend the awards show, turning up dressed as country squires and delivered a heavily sarcastic acceptance speech for the Best Group gong.

Arctic Monkeys BRITs 2008
They did look dapper though

"It took a lot of wining and dining on behalf of the Brits but it was my absolute priority to get Arctic Monkeys to perform" BRITs chairman Christian Tattersfield said (via The Independent). "It has been their year. It helps that the Brit Awards is now seen as a credible event and is no longer the shambles it was four or five years ago.”

Last year, the BRITs attracted its highest audience figures for a decade, and Tattersfield said that the powers behind the awards show are determined to make 2014 just as successful, if not more, and securing the Arctic Monkeys was integral to their plans for this year. Tattersfield continued, “We needed to stop the mayhem but we want some more excitement this year.”

Katy Perry
Katy Perry will also perform