YOKO ONO WILL RECEIVE THE SPECIAL AWARD IN PERSON ON THE EVE OF HER 83RD BIRTHDAY
NME AWARDS WITH AUSTIN, TEXAS WILL BE HELD AT LONDON’S O2 ACADEMY BRIXTON ON FEBRUARY 17
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NME is proud to announce it will be honouring Yoko Ono with The Inspiration Award at this year’s NME Awards with Austin, Texas on February 17.
Yoko Ono, who will celebrate her 83rd birthday on February 18, is a true iconoclast who has had a long, varied and illustrious career. She has influenced, inspired and delighted several generations of musicians, artists and activists. These include David Bowie, Ornette Coleman, Nile Rogers, Eric Clapton, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Sonic Youth, Arcade Fire, Lady Gaga, Anthony Hegarty, Savages and Boy George.
David Bowie once said of Yoko:
“Yoko’s work is very dangerous. If one is not careful it could get one thinking and may cause one to form an opinion. A subversive notion if ever there was one”.
Yoko says: “Thank you, NME for this great honour. I accept this as your encouragement for me to keep making my “Sound of Music” I love you! yoko”
Mike Williams, NME editor-in-chief, says: “Yoko Ono’s influence on modern culture is undeniable. As an icon and a rebel, her revolutionary ideas and concepts have subverted cultural norms and boundaries, and she shows no sign of slowing down even as she turns 83. Yoko is a truly amazing inspiration who we’re honoured to welcome to the NME Awards with Austin, Texas this year.”
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Yoko’s career has spanned many genres, challenging the traditional boundaries of sculpture, painting, theatre and music. Her groundbreaking conceptual and performance pieces in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s paved the way for experimental films, solo music, and music done in association with John Cage and Ornette Coleman, amongst others. Her 1964 book “Grapefruit” is now seen as a seminal work of conceptual art. A series of remarkable collaborations with her life partner John Lennon sought to spread the message of peace to the world, a message which Ono continues to spread today through a variety of mediums.
Now recognized as one of the most important and influential artists in the world, Yoko Ono has held exhibitions in most major cities and her recent show at MoMA in New York was not only her first ever show there but also broke attendance records .
Concurrent with exhibiting around the world, Ono’s music continues to reach new audiences and recent years have seen her collaborate with artists as diverse as Lady Gaga, Flaming Lips, Pet Shop Boys, Anthony Hegarty and Basement Jaxx. Yoko has now topped the Billboard dance Chart 12 times.
In 2014 she curated the Meltdown Festival, bringing together an incredible array of performers including Siouxsie Sioux, Iggy Pop, Patti Smith, Peaches, Savages and Marianne Faithfull.
On February 19 2016, the day after her birthday, Yoko will release Yes, I’m A Witch Too, the sequel to the critically acclaimed 2007 collaboration/remix record Yes, I’m A Witch . Yes, I’m A Witch Too features collaborations and remixes pairing ONO with groundbreaking artists Death Cab For Cutie, Peter Bjorn and John, Sparks, tUnE-yArDs, Moby, Miike Snow, Cibo Matto, Portugal. The Man and more.
The NME Awards with Austin, Texas season kicks off on January 29 with NME Awards Tour 2016 with Austin, Texas, renowned for showcasing breaking acts such as The Killers, Florence + The Machine, Arctic Monkeys, Royal Blood, and way back in 2000, newly crowned Godlike Geniuses, Coldplay. This year’s NME Awards Tour 2016 with Austin, Texas marks the return of Bloc Party as they showcase both their new line up and new material from their new album ‘Hymns’. Supporting Bloc Party are the hotly tipped Drenge, Rat Boy and Bugzy Malone.
The NME Awards Shows 2016 with Austin, Texas has once again delivered an incredible line-up of music’s brightest stars for 2016. The NME Awards Shows 2016 with Austin, Texas will see acts such as Blossoms, Kid Wave, Spring King, Alex G, VANT, Together Pangea, Crows, Pretty Vicious, Suede, The Magic Gang, Declan McKenna, Mystery Jets, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Swim Deep and The Strypes descend on London venues throughout February.
The nominations for the NME Awards 2016 With Austin, Texas were revealed in December, following thousands of votes from NME readers. The shortlist saw The Libertines and Wolf Alice lead the pack with six nominations a piece, including the categories of ‘Best British Band, ‘Best Live Band’ supported by Red Stripe and ‘Best Track’, hot on both bands’ heels were Foals, who received four nominations. Tens of thousands of fans voted in the hope of seeing their favourites crowned NME Award winners. Voting closed on Sunday 31 January and winners will be revealed on 17 of February.
Tickets for the NME Awards Tour 2016 with Austin, Texas, and the NME Awards Shows 2016 with Austin, Texas are available from NME.com/tickets. 50p from each ticket sold will be donated to Teenage Cancer Trust.
For more details keep checking www.nme.com
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