Arctic Monkeys refer to Brits controversy at NME Awards: ‘I used my best shit last week’

Turner made the statement while collecting the Best Live Band award at NME Awards 2014 with Austin, Texas.

Video: Arctic Monkeys Accept Best Live Band At NME Awards 2014
Arctic Monkeys singer Alex Turner referenced his controversial Brit Awards speech at the NME Awards 2014 with Austin, Texas.

Turner made the statement while collecting the Best Live Band award at the O2 Academy Brixton ceremony last night (February 26). It was the first of five awards picked up by the band. The award was presented by Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker, who teased the crowd by saying, “Why would there be a person from Sheffield here?”

Turner said: “Thank you. So, Matthew, as the sun sets on awards season for another year. Just the big two left to go, eh? I’m talking of course about the Oscars… and the NME Awards. That said, I’d like to thank The Academy… I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist that one, man.”

I think I used all my best shit last week, so thank you very much, I’ll see you later.

Arctic Monkeys and Daft Punk among bookies’ favourites for NME Awards 2014 with Austin, Texas

Arctic Monkeys

Jake Bugg and Arcade Fire also tipped for success ahead of tomorrow night’s ceremony

Arctic Monkeys lead the nominations this year with eight in total. Haim follow closely with six nominations while Queens of The Stone Age, Lily Allen and Arcade Fire all have three. Voting has now closed with bookmakers William Hill tipping Arctic Monkeys to take home the prize for Best British Band ahead of competition from Foals and Biffy Clyro. The ‘AM’ band have odds of 4/6 to add to their collection of awards.

Arcade Fire, meanwhile, are tipped to hold off Haim and Queens of the Stone Age in the category of Best International Band. The Canadian act, who released their latest album ‘Reflektor’ in 2013, currently have odds of 6/4 to take home the coveted prize.

Additionally, Jake Bugg is being backed to take home the prize for Best Solo Artist despite competition from David Bowie, Paul McCartney and newcomer Lorde. The Nottingham born singer-songwriter also faces competition from Kanye West and Lily Allen on the night.

Finally, Daft Punk’s hugely successful single ‘Get Lucky’ is the favourite to be named Best Track with odds of 4/9. Scroll down to see a full rundown of the odds currently on offer from William Hill.

NME Awards 2014 odds:

Best British Band

Arctic Monkeys 4/6
Foals 9/4
Biffy Clyro 8/1
Two Door Cinema Club 9/1
Disclosure 16/1
Palma Violets 20/1

International Band

Arcade Fire 6/4
Queens of the Stone Age 5/2
Vampire Weekend 4/1
Haim 6/1
Phoenix 8/1
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds 16/1

Solo Artist

Jake Bugg 6/4
David Bowie 2/1
Paul McCartney 7/2
Lorde 8/1
Kanye West 10/1
Lily Allen 16/1

Best Track

Daft Punk – ‘Get Lucky’ 4/9
Arctic Monkeys – ‘Do I Wanna Know?’ 7/2
Arcade Fire – ‘Reflektor’ 9/1
Primal Scream – ‘2013’ 9/1
Disclosure – ‘White Noise’ 12/1
Lily Allen – ‘Hard Out Here’ 16/1

Elsewhere at the awards, Blondie have been named this year’s Godlike Genius, and the band will collect the award in person and perform at the show. In addition, Belle & Sebastian will receive the Teenage Cancer Trust Outstanding Contribution To Music Award and will also perform live.

Watch Johnny Marr and Jake Bugg duet at London Royal Albert Hall gig

Jake Bugg

Jake Bugg and Johnny Marr duetted at London’s Royal Albert Hall last week (February 21) – click below to watch.

Bugg invited the former Smiths guitarist to perform with him during his gig, with the pair performing a take on the Nottingham singer-songwriter’s track ‘Kingpin’ from his second album ‘Shangri La’. Bugg has recently been giving songwriting tips to teenagers at the Albert Hall in a series of seminars, which saw him teach 16 to 18 year old students how to play his song ‘Broken’.

The singer is nominated for Best Solo Artist at the NME Awards 2014 with Austin, Texas which happens this week on Wednesday (February 26). The ceremony, which will be streamed live for the first time in its history, is taking place at O2 Academy, Brixton and fans will be able to watch all of the action, including performances from Metronomy, Drenge and Godlike Genius recipients Blondie.

The NME Awards 2014 with Austin, Texas will be hosted by BBC Radio 1 presenter and NME columnist Huw Stephens. Paul McCartney will attend to collect the special, one-off honour of NME’s Songwriter’s Songwriter, while Damon Albarn will collect the brand new NME Award For Innovation.

Blondie have been named this year’s Godlike Genius, and the band will collect the award in person and perform at the show. In addition, Belle & Sebastian will receive the Teenage Cancer Trust Outstanding Contribution To Music Award and will also perform live.

Arctic Monkeys lead the nominations this year with eight in total, while Queens of The Stone Age, Lily Allen and Arcade Fire all have three. Voting has now closed.