The NME Awards are set to be one of the most raucous nights in the music calendar, many legendary tales have been born of the event but from an outsiders view this didn’t seem to be the case.
Ever since the age of 15 I have read NME, only occasionally in recent years due to the epiphany that is Fortitude Magazine and other things. Naturally I was super excited when my wristband from ID&C arrived in the post and then came the night in question. Outside Brixton Academy was the inevitable press scrum Ella Eyre, Circa Waves, Peter Crouch and Abbey Clancy among others taking the plunge. Florence Welch being the sweet heart she is stopping to have a chat and give autographs to her loyal fans. Inside, on the red carpet the likes of Jarvis Cocker, Slaves, Kasabian, Peace and Suede strut their stuff and here is where I get my first sense that tonight is going to be a struggle. Unless you are NME staff or work for the BBC everyone is hurried along by security further into the venue, away from the V.I.P’s, after fighting my way into the press area I’m squished into a tiny area with every other member of press for tonight. On the upside, due to being the end of the run way I do get a good view and a handful of photos.
Inside, the V.I.P platform takes up practically the whole of the floor leaving little to no room for anyone else. The show is kicked off by editor Mike Williams, making a small speech thanking the musicians themselves for making the music news that we all feed from, then introduces tonight’s host Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens.
“Mike just told me Nid yw’r autocue ffycin yn gweithio! Which translates to the fucking autocue isn’t working!” The academy laughs, he then asks if they’re ready, “We’re ready, are you ready” replies Mike Kerr of Royal Blood. The guys hammer out a blistering version of ‘Figure It Out’, the audience clearly love it, the quick turnaround sees Bez and Shaun Ryder of Happy Mondays fame present best dancefloor filler to ‘Fancy’, collected by Charlie XCX but no Iggy, dresses in a full length leopard print coat, she signs off her short acceptance speech with “pussy power!”
Jamie T cleans up at tonight’s show, winning best track and best video for ‘Zombie’ also picking up best music moment of the year for his 2014 comeback. The latter award presented by his great friend Florence Welch as they share a heartfelt embrace on stage. Someone claiming to be Farris from The Horrors steps front of stage and strips off velcro-trousers style, this is never explained on the night but at a later date it’s revealed that Farris had had sent a stripper in his place, the crowd are a bit confused but seem to get it.
The next live performance is Charlie XCX and her all female band, the previous week they had treated us to a stupidly great riot grrrl version of ‘Shake It Off’ in the live lounge, but tonight’s outing of ‘Doing It’ lacks punch.
Jake Bugg wins Best Solo artist handed out by Ricky Wilson, Bugg “I’m not very good at speeches cos I don’t win anything, thank you.” Moving swiftly on again to best international band, it’s presented by Chrissie Hynde who jokes “best international band is… Chrissie Hynde”, Foo Fighters scoop the award, in their acceptance video Dave Grohl lets slip that the band will be “seeing you at a festival soon” as Taylor coughs “Glastonbury!” “Yep, we’re playing Glatonbury”, the audience erupts in deafening joy at the announcement, even Huw has a huge smile on his face are that news.
Titto Jackson pops up presenting best book and Pulps: a film about life, death and supermarkets picks up the best film award. Jarvis makes a speech about the comments that the music industry is becoming upper class, but you shouldn’t care about class as long as their creating great new music. His speech produces one of my favourite quotes of the night “Shut up Tarquin! We great made an album called ‘Different Class’, let’s get over it!”
Rightly so the Outstanding Contribution To Music award goes to The Teenage Cancer Trust, Frank Turner has the honour of collecting the trophy and pays homage to the 15 years of brilliant work they have done so fare.
Back to the live music and in I my opinion the best performance of the night was Run The Jewels. They slay Brixton Academy with ‘Lie, Cheat, Steal’, the bass is so heavy that cups shake on the V.I.P tables as the crowd goes nuts as the duo. Killer Mike climbs into the pit to spit rhymes to face of the frenzied Run The Jewels fans. Their performance is a much needed shot in the arm, The Jarmans hand out Best Band in their usual nonchalant way. Royal Blood pick up the award and straight away hand out the next, a one off award Rock ‘n’ Roll Soul to the living legend Jimmy Page. “I worship the ground this man plays guitar on” goes the intro from Kerr.
The Vaccines play their latest single ‘Dream Lover’, a slow a sexy track packed full of glitter ball action. Justin Young’s vocals are a touch off but the audience don’t seem too fussed, Kasabian pick up best British band and best album for ‘48:13’ presented by three of Dexys, Serg has clearly been at the drink after making a disjointed speech he dives into the pit as Tom tries and fails to get a ‘Come On Ilene’ sing along.
Suede is this year’s God Like Genius after a short speech thanking “all the people that have been with us all the way”, they swiftly make it to the stage Huw shouts after them “Oi, Suede you forgot your award. Fuck it, I’m having that!”, whilst comically pocketing the award.
Suede play a half hour long set, airing tracks like ‘Animal Nitrate’, ‘Filmstar’, ‘Trash’ and a newbie called ‘What I’m Trying To Tell You’.
www.idcband.co.uk
4.5/5
Jamie
@JamtkK