News

The NME Awards Shows Take Over London

• 24th Nov 2010

The iconic NME Awards Shows kick off in 2011 with a superlative line-up that will see them taking over London, setting the musical agenda for the year ahead. Featuring Carl Barat, White Lies, Caribou, Crocodiles and recent NME cover stars Warpaint, amongst a host of the most exciting acts around, the shows run from February 1st and continue throughout the month, building up anticipation for the legendary NME Awards on February 23rd.

Spread across some of London's best music venues, the NME Awards Shows are set to make a huge impact on the capital's live scene, with a month-long mix of live music from the best influential, established and cutting edge acts around.

NME Editor and Awards Shows architect Krissi Murison said of the shows: “I'm really excited to have so many great new artists and returning heroes playing NME Awards Shows next year. Plus, this is just the start – expect more names to be added to the line-up in the coming weeks.”

Jenny Lee Lindberg, Warpaint, commented: “I don't really know what to expect, but I'm really excited about it! Asking who we wanted to have open for us was really cool – it's not something we usually get asked to decide on, so that was something new for us. We've got Twin Shadow, who seem pretty cool. So I think it's gonna be a really fun show for us to do.”

Harry McVeigh from White Lies said: “We're looking forward to playing Shepherd's Bush Empire, our local venue. If the live reaction so far to the new songs is anything to go by, it'll be a landmark White Lies gig.”

Crocodiles added: “We're very surprised that a prestigious institution like NME would allow a couple of lowly Americans to run wild through its hallowed hallways. We can only hope this is the beginning of a beautiful long distance relationship!”

February 1st will see the NME Awards Shows open in style as Heaven plays host to Metronomy who are currently in the studio putting the finishing touches to the eagerly awaited follow-up to 2008's Nights Out album.
Shepherds Bush Empire will welcome Cardiff eight-piece Los Campesinos! and lo-fi duo Summer Camp on February 2nd. Fresh from supporting Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Duke Spirit play Heaven on February 3rd. Eel Pie Island's finest The Mystery Jets will be at Shepherd's Bush Empire on February 9th, followed two days later by White Lies who will be celebrating the release of their second album, Ritual, with support from San Diego's Crocodiles at the same venue on February 11th.

Kiwi five-piece The Naked and Famous take to the stage at Heaven and Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan will showcase their Americana with support from Cherry Ghost at Shepherd's Bush Empire on February 15th. Meanwhile, erstwhile Orange Juice frontman and indie legend Edwyn Collins will be showcasing tracks from his recent Losing Sleep album at the same venue on February 16th.

Noah and the Whale descend on Camden's Koko with new material from their forthcoming Last Night on Earth album on Thursday February 17th; and the same evening former Rascals frontman Miles Kane will unveil his highly anticipated solo material at Hoxton Square Bar and Kitchen.

Featuring former members of Cajun Dance Party, Yuck are one of the exciting new guitar bands for 2011 and will be at Bush Hall along with support act Cults on February 18th. And Carl Barat will play tracks from his eponymous solo album and beyond at Shepherd's Bush Empire on February 20th, with support from The Heartbreaks and Foreign Office.

Having released three acclaimed EPs in 2010 Frankie & The Heartstrings will make the trip to Villiers St to play at Heaven with support from Veronica Falls. Meanwhile Monday February 21st is a busy night. Recent NME cover stars Warpaint and the retro-electro-soul of Twin Shadow hit the Shepherd's Bush Empire; hotly tipped rock n rollers Mona take on The Relentless Garage in Islington with support from Neon Trees; and The Knocks' protégé Alex Winston plays the New Players Theatre, all on the same night.

And finally, New Yorkers Les Savy Fav will play their angular agit-pop at Heaven and recent Rough Trade Album of the Year 2010 winner Caribou will be on hand at Shepherd's Bush Empire with Factory Floor and Walls providing support on the eve of the awards, February 22nd.

The NME Awards Shows have a long history of bringing fans the very best in music and 2011's line-up forges even further ahead showcasing the hottest acts on offer. Tickets for the NME Awards Shows 2011 will be available on pre-sale exclusively through link from 9am on Wednesday 24th November and will be on general release from Friday 26th November.

Keep checking link for more details. Tag your tweets with #nmeawards to join the conversation.

NME Awards Shows 2011 Dates & Ticket Info:
Feb 01 Metronomy – Heaven – £12.50
Feb 02 Los Campesinos! / Summer Camp – o2 Shepherds Bush Empire – £14.00
Feb 03 The Duke Spirit – Heaven – £12.00
Feb 09 Mystery Jets – o2 Shepherd's Bush Empire – £15.00
Feb 11 White Lies / Crocodiles – o2 Shepherd's Bush Empire – £17.50
Feb 15 The Naked and Famous – Heaven – £10.00
Feb 15 Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan/Cherry Ghost – o2 Shepherd's Bush Empire – £18.00
Feb 16 Edwyn Collins – o2 Shepherd's Bush Empire – £18.00
Feb 17 Miles Kane – Hoxton Square Bar and Kitchen – £9.00
Feb 17 Noah and the Whale – Koko – £17.50
Feb 18 Yuck / Cults – Bush Hall – £8.00
Feb 20 Carl Barat / The Heartbreaks / Foreign Office – o2 Shepherd's Bush Empire – £16.50
Feb 21 Alex Winston – New Players Theatre – £8.50
Feb 21 Mona / Neon Trees – The Relentless Garage – £8.50
Feb 21 Warpaint / Twin Shadow – o2 Shepherd's Bush Empire – £14.00
Feb 21 Frankie & The Heartstrings / Veronica Falls – Heaven – £10.00
Feb 22 Caribou / Factory Floor / Walls – o2 Shepherd's Bush Empire – £12.50
Feb 22 Les Savy Fav – Heaven – £15.00

• Once again this year the NME Awards Shows are brought to London in association with Metropolis Music

• Pre-sale exclusively through link from 9am on Wednesday 24th November

• General release via Gigs and Tours and Ticketmaster on Friday 26th November

• All prices subject to booking fees plus a 50p charity donation to Teenage Cancer Trust