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And Finally Artist News Awards Media
Coldplay named NME’s Godlike Geniuses
By Andy Malt | Published on Tuesday 19 January 2016
The NME has announced that the winner of its Godlike Genius Award for 2016 is the band Coldplay. Yeah, you may say that you thought the NME Awards were set up specifically to mock that sort of thing. But how do you know this isn’t some sort of very clever satire?
Though if it is, Chris Martin looks very silly giving this gushing statement: “We’re extremely grateful to the NME for giving us this award. It’s a huge honour and it means everything to us as Coldplay would be nothing without the NME. Appearing in the magazine for the first time in 1998 – in the smallest font – was the biggest thing that ever happened to us, and their love and support changed our world. Thank you so much NME”.
In on the joke, NME Editor-in-chief Mike Williams chuckled: “Coldplay first attended the NME Awards over a decade ago, and since then have gone on to be the biggest band on the planet, so it’s an honour to invite them back as this year’s Godlike Genius. NME were there for the band right at the beginning – our early coverage was instrumental in setting them on their way – and we’ve had a thrilling relationship in the fifteen years since. As Coldplay gear up for their biggest year yet – from the Super Bowl to Wembley Stadium – it’s fitting that they join the likes of The Cure, Dave Grohl, Blondie and Noel Gallagher in being named NME’s Godlike Genius”.
Now, you’ll notice the references to Coldplay’s many appearances in the NME since the very start of their career. So perhaps you cynics should actually be praising the publication for sticking by an act, even though they might have lost the respect of the magazine’s core readership. Who even knows who the NME’s core readers are anymore though? So let’s just stick with the satire theory. After all, The NME Awards 2016 With Austin, Texas is already satirising sponsorship.
You’ll be able to laugh along with everyone, as Coldplay turn up to accept their ‘award’ and then play a set featuring some of their greatest hits at the Brixton Academy on 17 Feb.
