THE MOST SUCCESSFUL DUO IN UK MUSIC HISTORY TO CLOSE THE CEREMONY WITH A EUPHORIC SET OF CAREER-SPANNING HITS
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Today, 02 February, NME proudly announces Pet Shop Boys – the most successful duo in UK music history* – as the recipients of the illustrious NME Godlike Genius Award. The duo is confirmed to attend the ceremony to collect the award before bringing the evening to a close with a spectacular performance showcasing their greatest hits. The VO5 NME Awards 2017 take place on 15 February at London’s O2 Academy Brixton. A limited number of tickets are available for Pet Shop Boys fans here.
Pet Shop Boys, who released their 16th top ten album SUPER in 2016, have amassed over 50 million record sales worldwide. They have achieved 42 Top 30 singles in the UK including 22 Top 10 hits and four number ones. They have released thirteen studio albums, all of which have hit the UK Top 10 as well as album charts around the world. Though their legacy and influence remains unparalleled, Pet Shop Boys (Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe) continue to push the boundaries of their music and art to widespread critical and commercial acclaim.
Key accolades to date include three Ivor Novello Awards, as well as winning Song of the Decade 1985 – 1994 for ‘West End Girls’, as voted by six million BBC Radio 2 listeners in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Ivor Novello Awards. Pet Shop Boys also hold the position of #1 dance group and male artists in the history of the Billboard dance charts.
Speaking of their win, Pet Shop Boys say: “We’re really happy to win NME’s Godlike Genius award and we’re looking forward to playing at the awards show this year.”
Their most recent album, 2016’s SUPER, entered the UK album charts at number three. Following its release the duo played a rapturous four-night sold-out residency at London’s Royal Opera House. Pet Shop Boys are set to take their awe-inspiring show – produced in collaboration with award-winning designer Es Devlin – on tour across the UK from February.
On presenting Pet Shop Boys with the Godlike Genius Award, NME editor-in-chief Mike Williams says: “For three decades, Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe have been pushing the boundaries of pop music, releasing a series of consistently excellent singles and albums and working to blur the boundaries between art, music and social commentary. Their influence on pop culture is undeniable and the list of artists they’ve worked with is a mini rock ’n’ roll hall of fame. Pet Shop Boys’ stage performances and festival shows are never anything short of spectacular, and we’re honoured that our latest Godlike Geniuses will grace the Brixton stage for an extra-special set of hits to close the VO5 NME Awards 2017.”
The prestigious NME Godlike Genius Award, now in its 23rd year, is a trophy reserved for only the greatest musical talent on the planet, celebrating those artists who have been trailblazers. Previous recipients of the accolade include Paul Weller, The Cure, Dave Grohl, Noel Gallagher, Johnny Marr, Blondie and, last year’s winners, Coldplay.
Pet Shop Boys join Bastille, Dua Lipa and Outstanding Contribution to Music Award winner Wiley on the line-up for the legendary ceremony at London’s O2 Academy Brixton, with Huw Stephens confirmed to host the proceedings.
The nominees for this year’s VO5 NME Awards were revealed and celebrated at the Nikon Presents the NME Awards Nominations Party which saw Biffy Clyro perform an intimate acoustic set at London’s Omeara. Beyoncé leads the polls with a huge five nominations including Best Album, Hero of the Year, Music Moment of the Year, Best International Female (supported by VO5) and Best Video for Formation. The 1975, Skepta, Bastille and Christine and the Queens follow close behind with four nominations apiece, going head-to-head in key categories such as Best British Band (supported by Zig-Zag), Best Album (supported by HMV) and Best Track (supported by Red Stripe).
Other hotly anticipated categories include Best British Male (supported by The Pilot Pen Company), with nominees such as Zayn Malik, Skepta and Michael Kiwanuka; Best International Band (supported by Austin, Texas) with nominees including Kings of Leon, Green Day and Tame Impala; Best New Artist (supported by TOPMAN); and Best Live Band (Supported by NIKON).
Renowned for tipping who will be the next big thing, the annual NME Awards Tour has famously featured the likes of the Arctic Monkeys, Coldplay, The Killers, Bloc Party, Florence and the Machine and many more. This year will see Blossoms headline the VO5 NME Awards Tour with hotly-tipped newcomers Cabbage and indie pop prodigy Rory Wynne also joining the bill. The VO5 NME Awards Tour 2017 kicks off in Keele on March 16. Tickets are on sale now, with some dates already sold out.
Tickets for the VO5 NME Awards 2017 are on sale at nme.com/tickets
VO5 NME Awards Tour date tickets can be purchased at:
For more details keep checking www.nme.com
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Nominees for key categories include:
Best British Band supported by Zig-Zag
Wolf Alice
The 1975
Bastille
Years & Years
Biffy Clyro
The Last Shadow Puppets
Best International Band supported by Austin, Texas – Live Music Capital Of The World®
Tame Impala
Kings of Leon
Green Day
Metallica
A Tribe Called Quest
Tegan & Sara
Best British Male supported by The Pilot Pen Company
Skepta
Zayn Malik
Kano
Jamie T
Michael Kiwanuka
Richard Ashcroft
Best British Female
Dua Lipa
Adele
Charli XCX
M.I.A.
Kate Tempest
PJ Harvey
Best International Male supported by VO5
Kanye West
Drake
The Weeknd
Frank Ocean
Kendrick Lamar
Chance The Rapper
Best International Female supported by VO5
Sia
Lady Gaga
Beyoncé
Solange
Christine and The Queens
Tove Lo
Best New Artist supported by TOPMAN
Blossoms
Zara Larsson
Sunflower Bean
Christine and The Queens
Dua Lipa
Anderson .Paak
Best Album supported by HMV
‘The Life Of Pablo’ Kanye West
‘Konnichiwa’ Skepta
‘I Like It When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It’ The 1975
‘A Moon Shaped Pool’ Radiohead
‘Wild World’ Bastille
‘Lemonade’ Beyoncé
Best Track supported by Red Stripe
‘Cool Girl’ Tove Lo
‘After The Afterparty’ Charli XCX
‘Man’ Skepta
‘Good Grief’ Bastille
‘Somebody Else’ The 1975
‘Tilted’ Christine and The Queens
Best Live Band supported by Nikon
Bastille
Slaves
The 1975
Bring Me The Horizon
Christine and The Queens
Wolf Alice
-Ends-
Notes to editors:
*According to the Guinness Book of Records
For more information, please contact:
Murray Chalmers PR
0207 361 0730
NME Presents The VO5 NME Awards 2017 @ O2 Academy Brixton
Date: Wednesday 15th February 2016
Tickets available from: www.nme.com/tickets
About The VO5 NME Awards 2017
Dating back to 1953 (a year after the launch of NME), the NME Awards has remained one of the most important and prestigious events for British music fans. Some of the biggest names in rock ‘n’ roll history have performed at the NME Awards, including: Ronnie Scott (’53), The Beatles (’63/’64), Rolling Stones (’66), The Who (’66), Noel Gallagher (’03), New Order (’05), Ian Brown (’06), The Cure (’09), Dave Grohl (’11), Johnny Marr (’13), Blondie (’14), Suede (’15) and Coldplay (’16).
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About VO5
Heads Up: At VO5 we believe hair shouldn’t be dull, life shouldn’t be boring and you should never restrict your self-expression, We encourage our stylers to have their hair in constant beta mode, to experiment, fail and learn but never leave it as it is. We want to create a world of hair play!
As the UK’s number one styling brand*, VO5 brings you a full array of trusted high quality products, which allow you to create, experiment and play with your style.
About O2 Academy Brixton
O2 Academy Brixton has long been hailed London’s flagship venue, a must-play for artists and must-visit for music lovers. The South London venue’s magnificent 1929 Art Deco interior has been lovingly preserved and it houses Europe’s largest fixed stage, framed by an elaborate proscenium arch, based on the design of the Rialto Bridge. With a capacity of almost 5,000, its sloping floor and incredible production capabilities give it an electrifying arena atmosphere with unbeatable views.
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*Based on Nielsen ScanTrack (Total UK, excluding NI) data for Hair Styling, 12-months to 2nd January 2016 (Copyright © 2016, The Nielsen Company)