British rock act Oasis has cemented its popularity with readers of U.K. music weekly NME and NME.com, arriving as frontrunners in the nominations for the 2009 Shockwaves NME Awards.
After a chart-topping return to the U.K. with “Dig Out Your Soul” (Big Brother), the band has garnered seven nominations for categories including best British band, best live band and best album. The nominations were decided by online voting.
U.S. rock act Kings of Leon caps off a stellar year with four nominations including best international band and best album for “Only By The Night” (Hand Me Down/RCA). U.S. alternative act Vampire Weekend counts best international band and best new band among its four nominations.
The Killers, MGMT and Radiohead also scored multiple nominations.
The Shockwave NME Awards will be held at London’s Brixton Academy on Feb. 25. Winners will be chosen by a further public vote via NME’s Web site.
As previously announced (Billboard.biz, Oct. 29), the Cure will receive the godlike genius award and headline the Big Gig at the O2 Arena the following evening.
