Credit: It might of been crap but i do like this logo

Recently I was unfortunate enough to be lulled into the NME Awards, down at the Dome in London. I thought I had lucked out on the tickets, but then I really wasn’t prepared for the exercise in brand-stagnation that was delivered. From last years' event at the Hammersmith Palais on the eve of its destruction, to this year at the glossy ‘IndigO2’ centre in the Dome monstrosity, says it all really. 

It was a cringeworthy event that everyone from bands to punters seemed somewhat embarrassed to be at.  I have had bottom-burps with more atmosphere than this "event" had - from the closed bar to the heavy-handed security (they actually went through the camera of the woman in front of me to check she hadn’t taken any photos of the evening), it just stunk. Also what was slightly bemusing, was the repeated references throughout the night to the ‘Fans’ upstairs – when the upstairs area was wall-to-wall with liggers and industry-types.

The awards went to the usual suspects, and attempts to start bitchy rows fell flat (or seemed contrived to say the least). You also couldn't see any of the proceedings so it had to be watched on some big plasma screens.

The saviours were the performances - Lightspeed Champion wins points for performing as Darth Vader. Billy Bragg and Kate Nash was a enjoyable match up. Gallows and Lethal Bizzle made a bloody good noise. And Nicky Wire of the Manic Street Preachers' ranting thank-yous seemed the only genuine moment in the entire evening that wasn’t being shot straight out of the marketing machine.

It seemed a shame thta as Manic Street Preachers played a mini gig, everyone started filing out desperate for some fresh air / conversation / drink / something real. The Manics expended more energy in their performance then the total audience had in the last 3 hours.

So is it any surprise that today the NME has announced it’s lowest ever readerhsip figures? They were only getting an average of 64,000 per issue at the tail end of 2007. If anyone has picked up a copy recently will find out why – its Smash Hits but with constant drug references, yet with the same amount of stickers and pull out posters. It seems that the NME is in a perpetual, and ever-decreasing circles of self-promotion.