News

Foo Fighters To Headline NME Awards Big Gig

• 20th Jan 2011

Following the news that Dave Grohl has been awarded the prestigious NME Godlike Genius Award, NME is excited and proud to announce that Foo Fighters will headline the NME Awards Big Gig 2011 at Wembley Arena on Friday February 25th.

Thousands of Foo fans will enjoy a triumphant set, in what will be their first arena gig of 2011. As well as the classics, fans will be treated to previously unheard material from the band’s hotly anticipated new studio album.

Commenting on the Godlike Genius Award commemorated by the Foo Fighters’ headline slot on this amazing evening, Dave Grohl said: “I don’t think I’m godlike or a genius. It’s flattering. It’s a nice thing to be acknowledged for doing something you love to do… In truth I don’t consider it a body of work because I don’t consider it work.”

Joining Foo Fighters for this unique one-night-only event will be the greatest voice in American music today, Cee Lo Green. Having set the internet alight in 2010 with ‘F*** You’, one of the year’s most controversial and popular singles, and his critically lauded album ‘Lady Killer’, Cee Lo Green is sure to pull out all the stops for the NME Awards 2011 Big Gig.

Cee Lo commented: “I’m so excited man, any Cee Lo show is good, but Cee Lo and Foo Fighters, it’s going to be off the hook.”

With their third album ‘Infinite Arms’ gaining a wealth of end-of-year plaudits, including a Grammy nomination for Best Alternative Music Album, further support on the night will come from South Carolina’s Band of Horses, whose widescreen Americana and commanding standout main stage sets at the likes of Farm Aid, Austin City Limits and more have earned them a devoted and growing fanbase. Meanwhile Sub Pop alt. rock duo No Age will open the show with a dose of breakneck art-punk.

With the Foo Fighters’ as-yet-untitled seventh album recently completed the NME Awards 2011 Big Gig represents a gilt-edged opportunity to catch one of the world’s greatest rock bands embarking on their biggest year to date supported by some of the most exciting acts around.

Tickets for the NME Awards 2011 Big Gig go on sale exclusively from link on Wednesday 19th January at 9am, before remaining tickets go on general sale on Friday 21st January at 9am. Ticket price is £40 (plus booking fee), which includes a free copy of a 100-page special NME Dave Grohl magazine worth £4.99.

The NME Awards Big Gig will be the culmination of a superb NME Awards 2011 season. From 3rd February, the Shockwaves NME Awards Tour 2011 hits the road, headlined by Crystal Castles, with support from Magnetic Man, Everything Everything and The Vaccines. Click here for full information.
Meanwhile the Shockwaves NME Awards Shows 2011 are poised to take over London nightlife throughout February. A raft of headline acts including Mystery Jets, Noah and the Whale, Edwyn Collins, White Lies, Frankie & The Heartstrings, Warpaint, Caribou and Carl Barat will take over iconic London venues to celebrate this year’s Awards.

The Shockwaves NME Awards 2011 will take place at the iconic O2 Academy Brixton on Wednesday February 23rd – gathering the best new bands, returning icons and the most influential legends to celebrate the most credible music awards in the world. Dave Grohl will be picking up his NME Godlike Genius Award and playing live with Foo Fighters at the event.

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