Building on the heritage and credibility of the NME brand, the Shockwaves NME Awards celebrates brilliant music across the board – from some of the best new bands, to returning icons and influential legends – recognising the best in new music from 2010 and setting the agenda for the year to come.
Highlights from last year's event include live performances by The Big Pink, Lily Allen, Biffy Clyro, Marina & The Diamonds, Hole, Kasabian and The Specials amongst others.
This year’s event will again take place at legendary London music venue O2 Academy Brixton.
NME publishing director Paul Cheal says: “The fact that Shockwaves are headline sponsor for the NME Awards for the seventh consecutive year speaks volumes for the success of this partnership. The Shockwaves NME Awards continue to be a highlight in the musical calendar.”
A Shockwaves spokesperson says: “The Shockwaves and NME combination has proven to be a success year after year – style and music have always worked well together. The Shockwaves NME Awards 2011 attracts an incredibly diverse audience, and this year looks to be even better than the last.”
The Shockwaves NME Awards 2011 will kick off in February with an “unmissable” line-up pulled together for the national Shockwaves NME Awards Tour featuring Crystal Castles, Magnetic Man, Everything Everything and The Vaccines.
Meanwhile, the London Shockwaves NME Awards Shows run from February 1 – 23, featuring Carl Barat, White Lies, Caribou, Crocodiles and recent NME cover stars Warpaint, amongst a host of the most exciting acts around.
Not just the home of rock n roll, says NME, the Shockwaves NME Tour and Shows are about discovering and championing some of the most exciting artists from any genre – whether that’s hip hop, dubstep, indie or electronica.
