Four groups announced for NME tour

The line-up for next year’s NME Awards concerts has been announced and features four up-and-coming bands — Django Django, Miles Kane, Palma Violets and Peace.

The tour, which start in Newcastle on February 7, visits Nottingham’s Rock City on February 12, before ending at London’s O2 Academy in Brixton on February 23.

Classed as one of the most important events in the music calendar, the NME Awards Tour has been instrumental in launching the careers of some of the biggest acts in music today, including Arctic Monkeys, The Killers and Florence And The Machine.

The psychedelic group, Django Django, will headline the event.

The band’s self-titled debut album has been widely praised and was nominated for the 2012 Mercury Prize.

Miles Kane takes the main support slot, bringing his boundless energy and charisma to the stage in advance of his forthcoming second album.

He has established himself as a tour de force in the live arena, performing tracks from his Top 20 debut, Colour Of The Trap, including the singles Rearrange, Come Closer and Inhaler.

South London’s Palma Violets emerged from nowhere in 2012 to become one of the most hyped and exciting new bands in a decade.

The singles, Best Of Friends and Last Of The Summer Wine, are taken from the band’s forthcoming album, which is being recorded with Pulp bassist Steve Mackey.

Taking the opening slot are Birmingham’s Peace. The band gained high praise for their ambitious debut EP Delicious. Their new single, Wraith, will be released on January 13. They have toured with Manic Street Preachers and The Mystery Jets.

NME editor Mike Williams said: “2012 has been an incredible year for music, and 2013 promises to be even better, not least for the four amazing bands heading up the NME Awards Tour 2013.

“This is undoubtedly one of the strongest and most exciting bills we’ve ever put together, and I can’t wait for it all to get started.”

Tickets for the tour are now on sale.