Bishop Briggs opened the iconic New Year's Day celebration as it rolled through Pasadena with a live performance that set the tone for the morning. Performing from the Honda float during the Opening Spectacular, she brought music and movement together with meaning, right from the very first beat.Her appearance wasn’t just another celebrity cameo. With dancers, live vocals, and a clear message tied to the parade’s theme, the performance quickly became one of the most talked-about moments online. Viewers at home and spectators lining the route shared clips across social media, making Bishop Briggs’ opening act a viral highlight of the 2026 event.Who is Bishop Briggs?Bishop Briggs is a British singer-songwriter known for her intense, emotional vocal style and genre-blending sound. Born Sarah Grace McLaughlin in London, she later moved to the United States, where her music career began to take shape. She chose the name Bishop Briggs to avoid confusion with another artist and as a nod to Bishopbriggs, a town in Scotland connected to her family’s roots.She first caught widespread attention in the mid-2010s after her song “Wild Horses” gained major exposure through a national car commercial. That moment introduced her to a much larger audience and opened the door for what followed. In 2016, her track “River” became a breakout hit, climbing high on alternative music charts and becoming one of her most recognisable songs.At the 2026 Rose Parade, Bishop Briggs performed “River” along with “Champion,” a track released in 2019 that focuses on perseverance and inner strength. The song choices matched the parade’s theme, “The Magic in Teamwork,” and aligned with Honda’s float message, “The Power in Teams.” The performance featured 24 professional dancers, adding to the visual impact and helping explain why clips of the opening spread so quickly online.Today, Bishop continues to release music and tour, maintaining a strong presence in the alternative and pop-rock space. She has millions of monthly listeners on streaming platforms and is known for music that centres on resilience and honesty. In late 2025, she released a themed EP titled “When It’s Halloween,” showing her range and keeping fans engaged heading into the new year.Her selection as the Rose Parade’s opening act reflected both her musical identity and the message organisers wanted to share. By combining live music, movement, and a clear theme, Bishop helped launch the 2026 Rose Parade with energy, purpose, and a performance that viewers are still talking about.