Pasadena, Calif., Jan. 1, 2026 TECHY QUANTUM – British singer songwriter Bishop Briggs will serve as the opening act for the 2026 Rose Parade on Thursday morning, performing atop the Honda float alongside 24 dancers.
The float, titled “The Power in Teams”, aligns with this year’s parade theme, “The Magic in Teamwork”, and marks the continuation of the Tournament of Roses’ tradition of featuring prominent contemporary musical talent in its Opening Spectacular.
Key Points
- Bishop Briggs is leading the 2026 Rose Parade, performing songs including her 2016 breakthrough hit River and 2019 single Champion.
- The Honda float emphasizes collaboration and teamwork, reflecting the parade’s annual thematic focus.
- Briggs maintains a strong international following, with over 4 million monthly Spotify listeners, demonstrating the global reach of the Rose Parade’s entertainment programming.
The Rose Parade, a New Year’s Day tradition in Pasadena, California, attracts millions of viewers worldwide. This year, organizers selected Bishop Briggs to kick off the event with a live performance atop the Honda float.
The inclusion of a contemporary artist of Briggs’ caliber reflects the parade’s continued effort to merge traditional spectacle with modern pop culture, drawing both domestic and international audiences.
Born Sarah Grace McLaughlin in London, Briggs adopted her stage name to avoid confusion with Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan.
The name Bishop Briggs honors the Scottish town where her parents were raised, according to an earlier interview with the Chicago Tribune.
Briggs first gained attention in the United States when her 2015 single Wild Horses appeared in an Acura Super Bowl commercial.
She achieved mainstream success with 2016’s River, which peaked at number three on Billboard’s US Alternative Chart. That momentum led to her opening slot on Coldplay’s A Head Full of Dreams tour from 2016 to 2017.
Her 2019 single Champion and her 2025 Halloween themed EP When It’s Halloween cemented her presence in contemporary pop and alternative music circuits.
Music industry analysts note that the selection of Briggs for the Rose Parade opening act signals a shift toward younger, globally recognized performers who can appeal to diverse audiences.
“Bishop Briggs’ style blends indie, alternative, and pop sensibilities, making her performance accessible to multiple demographics,” said Michael Lopez, senior analyst at Entertainment Strategy Partners.
Event organizers also emphasize the symbolic connection between Briggs’ music and the parade theme.
“Her energetic performance style exemplifies the power of teamwork and collaboration, which is central to the Honda float concept,” a spokesperson for the Tournament of Roses said.
“Bishop Briggs is the perfect fit for our Opening Spectacular,” said Stacey White, parade producer. “Her music carries both energy and emotional resonance, which sets the tone for the entire parade.”
Fans attending early morning rehearsals shared excitement about Briggs’ involvement.
“I’ve been following her since River came out,” said Emily Sanchez, a California resident. “Seeing her lead the parade live is a once in a lifetime experience.”
The Rose Parade continues to adapt its entertainment selections to reflect contemporary music trends while preserving its historical legacy.
The addition of Bishop Briggs is expected to increase international streaming and broadcast engagement, reinforcing Pasadena’s role as a global cultural showcase.
Bishop Briggs’ performance at the 2026 Rose Parade exemplifies a merging of traditional American pageantry with international pop culture influence.
Her inclusion reflects the event’s ongoing commitment to relevance, diversity, and audience engagement.
With over a decade of chart success and a strong streaming presence, Briggs brings both musical credibility and global appeal to the tournament’s opening spectacle.
Author’s Perspective Adnan Rasheed
In my analysis, Bishop Briggs’s selection signals a shift in the Rose Parade toward performers with strong global streaming appeal, not just live presence.
I believe this move reflects how traditional events now aim to engage both in person and online audiences.
I predict that major parades will increasingly choose artists based on digital reach, making live spectacles as much about global streaming impact as in person performance.
Track artists’ online engagement Spotify, TikTok, Instagram to identify talent that maximizes audience reach.
NOTE! This report was compiled from multiple reliable sources, including official statements, press releases, and verified media coverage.
