LIVE: VO5 NME Awards 2018, Brixton Academy, 14.02.18

Any night that starts with seeing The Big Moon in Spoons in Brixton, followed by Haim jumping out of a back and then Craig David sauntering down the red carpet is going to be a good one.

There were some questionable wins (are Alt-J really the Best British Band?), some expected but ultimately well-deserved ones (no one had a chance against Glastonbury) and some emotional tributes – Shirley Manson picking up the NME Icon award, Liam Gallagher (Godlike Genius) and an especially touching speech about Mark E Smith from Brix Smith Start. Peppered in were performances from Stefflon Don and Skepta, Alt-J, Under The Radar Award winners Pale Waves, and of course, a grand finale from Liam Gallagher, proving that while we all love to hate him, he is unquestionably deserving of his godlike genius title.

Full list of winners:

  • Best British Band supported by Zig-Zag – Alt-J
  • Best British Solo Artist supported by VO5 – Loyle Carner
  • Best New Artist supported by Vans –  Stefflon Don
  • Best Live Artist supported by Nikon – Kasabian
  • Best Track supported by Estrella Galicia – Charli XCX, ‘Boys’
  • Best International Band supported by 19 Crimes Winery, Haim
  • Best Mixtape supported by Bulldog Gin – Avelino, ‘No Bullshit’
  • Best Album supported by Orange Amplification – J Hus ‘Common Sense’
  • Best Collaboration supported by VO5 – Craig David and Bastille, ‘I Know You’
  • Best Festival supported by ID&C  – Glastonbury
  • Best Film supported by Zig-Zag – Baby Driver
  • Best Music Video supported by Princess Yachts – The Big Moon, ‘Sucker’
  • Under The Radar Award supported by HMV – Pale Waves
  • Best Festival Headliner supported by Anna Valley – Muse
  • Best International Solo Artist – Lorde
  • NME Icon – Shirley Manson
  • NME Innovation Award – Boy Better Know
  • Godlike Genius – Liam Gallagher
  • Best Book – Wiley, Eskiboy
  • Best TV Show – Stranger Things 2
  • Best Reissue – Radiohead, ‘OK Not OK’
  • Best Small Festival – Festival Number 6
  • Music Moment of The Year – One Love Manchester
  • Best Music Film – Gaga: Five Foot Two
  • Hero of the year – Ariana Grande
  • Villain of the year – Piers Morgan

Watch – Piers Morgan reacts to being named Villain of the year:

Melissa Svensen

Melissa Svensen

Melissa, 22. Editor. Student, music journalist, probably talking about Blur or Bowie