Arctic Monkeys, Damon Albarn, Paul McCartney and Blondie are among the bands and artists set to appear at tonight’s NME Awards, with Austin Texas (February 26).

The awards take place at O2 Academy, Brixton and will be hosted by BBC Radio 1 presenter and NME columnist Huw Stephens. Paul McCartney will be at the awards to collect the special, one-off honour of NME’s Songwriter’s Songwriter, while Damon Albarn will collect the brand new NME Award For Innovation.

Arctic Monkeys lead the nominations this year with eight in total. Haim are also on the guestlist and follow closely with six nominations while other nominees including Disclosure, Lily Allen, Jagwar Ma, Wolf Alice, Swim Deep, Peace, Temples and Chvrches will be in the room alongside Jarvis Cocker, Johnny Marr, Noel Fielding, Brody Dalle, Katy B and John Cooper Clarke plus members of Manic Street Preachers, The Vaccines, Two Door Cinema Club and Alt-J. Voting has now closed.


Performances on the night will come from Best New Band nominees Drenge plus The Horrors and Metronomy alongside Blondie, who have been named this year’s Godlike Genius, and the band will collect the award in person and perform at the show. In addition, Belle & Sebastian will receive the Teenage Cancer Trust Outstanding Contribution To Music Award and will also perform live.

The NME Awards 2014 with Austin, Texas will be streamed live for the first time in its history this evening. Fans will be able to watch all the action from 8PM at www.nme.com/awards.

Ceremony tickets for the NME Awards 2014 with Austin, Texas are on sale right now. Get yours here.

