This is a summary of 2012 in music in the United Kingdom. In 2012, dance music continued to dominate the charts.
Events
1 January – Musicians honoured in the Queen's New Year Honours list include conductor Antonio Pappano (knighthood), record producer Steve Lillywhite (CBE), composer and conductor Rev Ronald Corp (OBE) and Ralph Allwood (MBE), former director of music at Eton College. 4 June – A Diamond Jubilee Concert is held outside Buckingham Palace on The Mall, London, organised by Gary Barlow as part of Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Performers include Gary Barlow, Robbie Williams, Sir Elton John, Sir Paul McCartney, Grace Jones, Alfie Boe, Sir Cliff Richard, Sir Tom Jones, Dame Shirley Bassey and Stevie Wonder. 8-10 June – Download Festival 2012 takes place at Donington Park in Leicestershire. The Jim Marshall main stage is headlined by The Prodigy, Metallica and Black Sabbath, the Zippo encore stage by Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators, You Me at Six and Rise Against, the Pepsi Max Stage by Devin Townsend Project, The Mission and Periphery, the Red Bull Bedroom Jam Stage by Cancer Bats, Cockney Rejects and William Control, and the Jägermeister Acoustic stage by Yashin, Tyla and Saint Jude. 16 June – Musicians honoured in the Queen's Birthday Honours list include Gary Barlow (OBE), violinist Tasmin Little (OBE) and Gareth Malone (OBE). 27 July – On the opening day of the 2012 Summer Olympics, at 8.15, Martin Creed's controversial work "All The Bells", is performed by the bells of London. 12 August – The 2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony, also known by the title "A Symphony of British music", takes place at London's Olympic Stadium. Performers include Take That, One Direction, The Spice Girls, Madness, George Michael, Julian Lloyd Webber, Pet Shop Boys, Ray Davies, Annie Lennox, Kaiser Chiefs and Emeli Sandé. 9 December – James Arthur wins the ninth series of The X Factor. Jahméne Douglas is named runner-up, while Christopher Maloney and Union J finish in third and fourth place respectively.
Artists/groups reformed
Spice Girls
911
Atomic Kitten
B*Witched
Five
Honeyz
Kitchens Of Distinction
Liberty X
Six By Seven
The Supernaturals
Groups disbanded
Westlife
Jet
Viva Brother
The King Blues
SoundGirl
Pendulum
Chumbawamba
Does It Offend You, Yeah?
Classical music
New works
Peter Maxwell Davies – Symphony No. 9
Howard Goodall – Every Purpose Under the Heaven (The King James Bible Oratorio) Karl Jenkins – The Peacemakers Philip Ledger – This Holy Child (cantata) Philip Moore – "I will lift up mine eyes"
Opera
George Benjamin – Written on Skin
Stephen Crowe – The Francis Bacon Opera
Neil Hannon – Sevastopol,
British music awards
BRIT Awards
The 2012 BRIT Awards were held on 21 February 2012 at The O2 Arena, London and hosted by James Corden. The most notable winners were Adele and Ed Sheeran, both winning two awards.
British Male Solo Artist: Ed Sheeran
British Female Solo Artist: Adele
British Breakthrough Act: Ed Sheeran
British Group: Coldplay
British Single: "What Makes You Beautiful" – One Direction
MasterCard British Album: 21 – Adele
International Male Solo Artist: Bruno Mars
International Female Solo Artist: Rihanna
International Group: Foo Fighters
International Breakthrough Act: Lana Del Rey
British Producer: Ethan Johns
Critics' Choice: Emeli Sandé
Outstanding Contribution to Music: Blur
Ivor Novello Awards
The 57th Ivor Novello Awards were held on 17 May 2012 at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London.