They may have claimed they were victims of a conspiracy after failing to receive any Brit award nominations this year, but Kasabian proved to be the big winners at the NME awards.
They were named best British band and scooped best album, for 48:13, at the ceremony at Brixton Academy, south London, on Wednesday night.
The band, who opened this year’s Bafta awards ceremony, have been vocal in their criticism of the Brits, with lead guitarist Sergio Pizzorno accusing organisers of “trying to shut out rock’n’roll” and more recently stating that a win for the multi-nominated Ed Sheeran would be a “victory for squares”.
Pizzorno won the NME award for best quote for saying of his band’s headline slot at Glastonbury last year: “Five records, 10 years, we’ve earned our shot.”
Other big winners on the night included the London singer Jamie T, whose track Zombie picked up best song and best video, and whose comeback after five years was named music moment of the year. Royal Blood were named best new band and best live band.
Jake Bugg picked up best solo artist, seeing off competition from the likes of Lana Del Rey and St Vincent, while hero of the year was Arctic Monkeys lead singer Alex Turner. The NME godlike genius award went to Suede.
Worst band went to the Australian teen boy group 5 Seconds of Summer, while Ukip leader Nigel Farage was named villain of the year, following in the footsteps of Harry Styles and Justin Bieber.
Mike Williams, the NME editor, said: “It’s been an astounding year of comebacks and triumphs for Kasabian and Jamie T and their awards tonight prove it. The fans have spoken and along with newcomers Royal Blood they have been undoubtedly anointed as the biggest acts in the country right now.”
The full list of winners
Godlike genius award Suede
Rock’n’roll soul award Jimmy Page
Best British band Kasabian
Best international band Foo Fighters
Outstanding contribution to music Teenage Cancer Trust
Best solo artist Jake Bugg
Best new band Royal Blood
Best live band Royal Blood
Best album 48:13 by Kasabian
Best track Zombie by Jamie T
Best video Zombie by Jamie T
Best festival Glastonbury
Philip Hall radar award Dean Blunt
Best TV show Game Of Thrones
Best film Northern Soul
Best music film Pulp: a Film About Life, Death and Supermarkets
Reissue of the year The Holy Bible by Manic Street Preachers
Dancefloor filler Fancy by Iggy Azalea featuring Charli XCX
Worst band 5 Seconds Of Summer
Villain of the year Nigel Farage
Hero of the year Alex Turner
Music moment of the year Jamie T’s comeback
Best fan community Muse
Small festival of the year Liverpool Psych Fest
Book of the year Clothes, Clothes, Clothes. Music, Music, Music. Boys, Boys, Boys by Viv Albertine
Best band social media Liam Gallagher’s Twitter
Best lyric “I’m wearing Win Butler’s hair/There’s a scalpless singer in a Montreal rock band somewhere” by Happyness
Best quote “Five records, ten years. We’ve earned our shot” - Sergio Pizzorno of Kasabian talking about headlining Glastonbury
