NME launches in the US with a plush reception

NME took its first official steps in the US last night December 15), with a reception at the British Consulate in New York City.

The party, held at the penthouse apartment of the British Consol General in Manhattan, saw a rare acoustic performance by We Are Scientists who played an acoustic set including ‘It’s A Hit’, ‘The Great Escape’ and ‘Textbook’.

The bash was held to celebrate NME.COM’s expansion into the US, and was the official launch of Club NME: New York.

"We hadn’t planned to play ‘Textbook’", admitted singer Keith Murray before the performance, "but as we were soundchecking today, the Deputy Consol asked us to play it, so we got together a two-step acoustic version. We have no idea how it sounds."

"It’s cool here", he continued, "It’s like being at a Christmas party at someone’s really plush apartment where you don’t know the host but all your friends are there."

Following the reception, We Are Scientists headed downtown to play a full live set to a capacity crowd at Lower East Side club The Annex.

--By our New York staff.