How Lorde prepared for her tribute to David Bowie

Lorde calmed her nerves before performing her tribute to David Bowie at the BRIT Awards by imagining she was singing directly to the late rocker.

The 19-year-old musician was joined by Bowie's former touring band for her rendition of his track Life On Mars which she sang in memory the late great artist - who passed away in January at the age of 69 after losing his battle with cancer.

Before stepping on stage at The O2 in London on Wednesday night, Lorde was suffering from major butterflies but she just reminded herself to forget the watching world and think of Bowie.

Lorde was backed by Mike Garson on piano, Gail Anne Dorsey on bass and Gerry Leonard and Earl Slick on guitars - all of whom played with Bowie on his A Reality Tour in 2003 and 2004 - for her sombre cover which was preceded by a medley of Bowie's major hits, including Space Oddity, Rebel Rebel and Under Pressure.

The Kiwi singer's mother Sonja Yelich documented the lead up to her performance on Instagram with a series of posts - from the taxi to the stage.

View this post on Instagram

driving thru London & our girl made us cry #brits2016 #thinwhiteduke

A post shared by @ sonjayelich on Feb 24, 2016 at 2:54pm PST

View this post on Instagram

way before our elz performed - bc when she did we cried. lots. #brits2016 :) :(

A post shared by @ sonjayelich on Feb 24, 2016 at 3:38pm PST

View this post on Instagram

last night was so deeply moving for us at the Brit Awards - thank you @lordemusic for your heartfelt tribute - @vicoconnor1 @jerryflorence & I stood before you & the band and cried. Thank you to our Team. @mcnelson2004 @bakerpr @theronperry @mrjustinwarren for helping to make it all happen. Thank you to @karenclarkson for impeccable styling - @amberdmakeup for creating the perfect makeup & @bjornkrischker for gorgeous hair. thank you to the Bowie Band. & thank you David Bowie for the music ❤️

A post shared by @ sonjayelich on Feb 25, 2016 at 2:48am PST

Mrs Yelich said the tribute was "deeply moving" before thanking David Bowie "for the music".

Before the New Zealand songstress sang, Annie Lennox delivered a moving speech to the pop legend and Bowie's friend Gary Oldman accepted the BRITs Icon Award on his behalf, praising him for his "superhuman potential" and "remarkable music".

Lorde had been personally selected by Bowie's estate as she had been one his favourite new artists in the years leading up to his passing. The pair met when Lorde was just 16 at Bowie's request at a 2013 benefit honouring actress Tilda Swinton.

Lorde celebrated her performance by attending the Warner Music and Ciroc BRIT Awards Party held at Freemasons Hall in Covent Garden in the UK capital.

She was snapped partying with musicians James Bay, Ellie Goulding and model Karlie Kloss.

Other stars in attendance included Mark Ronson, Charlie XCX, Jess Glynne, Jourdan Dunn and Simon Le Bon among others.

Famous guests partied in the DSquared2 VIP Room where Grandmaster Flash, Diplo and Seb Chew took to the decks for DJ sets and many sipped on Ciroc cocktails.

- Bang! Showbiz