It’s that time of the year again when awards shows come thick and fast, last night saw wannabe alternative mag NME host theirs.
Max Parker
Hosted by Russell Kane, the night rewarded some of the bands that normally miss out in the more commercial awards however One Direction still managed to take home a gong or two (though not one they will be proud of)
Worst Band
Tabloid favourite Harry Styles, of 1D, picked up the (cough) highly coveted NME villain of the year. Styles now has something in common with former US president George Bush, who nabbed the award for six years running.
Directioners of the world will wince again as the boys also picked up Worst Band, beating off competition from Mumford & Sons and Muse. NME, a music magazine, seemed to have trouble separating bands from solo artists, as Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber were also nominated for Worst Band.
Stiff competition for Best Album
On a more positive note, Scottish three-piece Biffy Clyro picked up Best British Band, while The Maccabees’ Given to the Wild was awarded Best Album. Given to the Wild faced tough competition from Jake Bugg’s critically acclaimed debut and Frank Ocean’s Channel Orange.
Former Smith’s guitarist turned solo singer Johnny Marr picked up the Godlike genius award, while The Cribs won the Outstanding Contribution to Music prize.
Best Track
Foal’s catchy Inhaler was crowned Best Track and Las Vegas veterans The Killers once again took home Best International Band.
Florence Welch, of Florence & The Machine, surprisingly was named Best Solo Artist. This seems a bit unfair on ‘The Machine’ as her only solo single to date was when she featured on Calvin Harris’ Sweet Nothing.
Palma Violets continued what is likely is to be a great year for the boys by grabbing Best New Band; this also comes in the same week their debut album has been released.
Not just about the music
Other less musically relevant awards went to The Hobbit for Best Film, comedian Jack Whitehall’s Fresh Meat for Best TV Show and Alana from highly tipped US band HAIM for Best Twitter.
NME do love to be controversial, but nominating Mercury Music Prize winners Alt-J for Best New Band and Best Album, while putting them in Worst Band category as well just seems pure odd.
Check out Arctic Monkey’s video for ‘R U Mine’ winner of Best Video, below.
Balsam Maki
James Woodham
Dharmi Dave