Ahead of the BandLab NME Awards 2022, the results of the fan-voted categories are in â with Tomorrow X Together winning Hero Of The Year and Jacob Rees-Mogg being named Villain Of The Year.
The wildest night in music will return to Londonâs O2 Academy Brixton tonight (Wednesday, March 2) to celebrate the best in music and entertainment from around the globe.
Fans voted in their hundreds of thousands across both categories, with K-pop sensation Tomorrow X Together receiving over 40 per cent of the total for Hero Of The Year. This follows on from the success of their acclaimed third album âThe Chaos Chapter: Freezeâ, their five-star live show, and their single â0X1=LOVESONG (I Know I Love You)â (feat. Seori) coming in at Number 8 in NMEâs 25 Best K-Pop songs of 2021, as compiled by NME Asia.
Speaking about their future in an interview with NME last year, TXTâs Beomgyu said: âOur music is our story of growth and, honestly, weâre nowhere near done with growing. We have a long journey ahead, and through our music weâll continue to represent the emotions we feel and the experiences we have as young people growing in this generation.
âIâm sure that the story weâll continue to tell will be one that all our fellow Gen Z will be able to relate to, as well as all those who have been at this stage of growth in their lives.â
Previous winners of NMEâs Hero Of The Year award include the likes of Lady Gaga, Liam Gallagher, Ozzy Osbourne, John Peel, My Chemical Romanceâs Gerard Way, Arctic Monkeysâ Alex Turner, Muse frontman Matt Bellamy, Beyonce and Ariana Grande.
Meanwhile, the Brexit-loving Conservative Leader of the House of Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg has been named as this 2022âs Villain Of Year. Known for controversial comments and appearing somewhat archaic, the North East Somerset MP also made NME headlines earlier this year when he revealed that he had never read the longstanding and celebrated music and pop culture publication.
The revelation came back in January when Labourâs Kevin Brennan raised an NME article in parliament that highlighted the music industryâs many frustrations at Brexit failings from the âcluelessâ government regarding touring in Europe and more â one year on from cultural industries being handed what they have called âa No Deal Brexitâ.
Speaking to the House Of Commons, Rees-Mogg replied: âThe honourable gentleman knows that these matters are being discussed between Her Majestyâs Government and individual member states of the European Union who have responsibility for it. Considerable progress, as I think the honourable gentleman acknowledges, has been made with a number of countries being very willing to have reciprocal arrangements.â
He added: âBut may I confess, Mr Speaker, that I have failed in that I have not read the New Musical Express this morning, or indeed on any morning that I can ever recall.â
Previous winners of NMEâs Villain Of The Year include George W Bush, David Cameron, Justin Bieber, Nigel Farage, Donald Trump and Piers Morgan.
NME recently announced that Neneh Cherry has been named as the recipient of this year’s Icon Award, while Liam Gallagher will be picking up Music Moment Of The Year for his free concert for NHS workers, and Sigrid will be joining Griff to perform their huge collaboration âHead On Fireâ on the night â where Griff will also be the recipient of this yearâs NME Radar Award.
This follows the news that FKA Twigs will be crowned as this yearâs Godlike Genius, while Bring Me The Horizon will be closing the ceremony with a multi-song set.
The evening will be co-hosted by comedian, actor and writer Daisy May Cooper and grime trailblazer and radio host Lady Leshurr, alongside huge live performances from Sam Fender, Griff, Rina Sawayama as well as the recently revealed BERWYN and Chvrches featuring special guest Robert Smith of The Cure.
See all the nominees for the Awards here, and check back at NME for all of the latest action from the BandLab NME Awards 2022.
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