The NME Awards are all set for a return after this year’s hiatus due to the pandemic. Working with BandLab Technologies and grassroots music supporters Music Venue Trust, the awards will be coming to London’s O2 Academy Brixton next March 2nd. Suffice to say, there’s a lot of excitement in store for music fans, with big and upcoming names such as Sam Fender, Griff and Rina Sawayama being announced as part of the acts getting onstage.
The wildest night in music returns on 02 March, celebrating the most brilliant people in music and pop culture. The BandLab @NME Awards 2022 will feature @samfendermusic @wiffygriffy @rinasawayama and a raft of epic unpredictable moments Tickets on sale NOW at @TicketmasterUK pic.twitter.com/bukqLFMeXL
— O2 Academy Brixton (@O2academybrix) November 23, 2021
Described by NME magazine as “the wildest night in music”, this comes just after the announcement of NME Networks, which has merged NME, Uncut, Guitar.com and MusicTech. The network aims to “create and curate content that entertains, inspires and informs the world of music”. BandLab Technologies (who purchased NME back in 2019) describe it thus: “NME Networks talk to fans, stans, stars, legends, players, emerging talent and creators, sharing their access, expertise and opinions, alongside consumer events and experiences, such as Guitar.com Live and NME’s globally famous NME Awards shows and live music events”. The upcoming awards seem to be the latest way the new Network has shown its dedication to celebrating all things in pop culture.
The artists announced as part of the line-up so far all seem to have some industry buzz already. Singer-songwriter Halsey will be accepting the Innovation Award, recognising her “as a trailblazing artist who pushes musical boundaries and speaks her truth as she continues to raise the bar by merging music, fashion, art and film“. Fender, Griff and Sawayama all come off the back of critically acclaimed releases in the recent past. Fender’s number one album Seventeen Going Under (released last October) was described by NME in a four-star review as “a wiser, weightier record stuffed with sax-soaked rock epics that touch on life and death, love and heartbreak, rage and regret”. Griff’s debut mixtape One Foot in Front of the Other was described by NME as “flawless” and “sheer pop perfection” in a five-star review. Sawayama received similar five-star praise with her 2020 debut SAWAYAMA.
Can’t wait! @NME pic.twitter.com/Nty5c3VqTf — Griff (@wiffygriffy) November 23, 2021
Holly Bishop (Chief Operating & Commercial Officer at NME Networks) had this to say: “After a 12-month hiatus, it feels extra special to return to our Brixton home in March 2022 with an event that promises to be everything but predictable. We have an incredible line-up, an exciting title sponsor in BandLab – the global game-changer in music creation and a brand that shares NME’s commitment to emerging talent – alongside a host of other partners that share our mission to make 2022 the most memorable Awards in NME’s history.”
For those interested, tickets are on sale right now and can be found here. More acts and nominations are soon to be announced, but from what we’ve heard so far, it seems it’ll be a night to remember.
