Shockwaves NME Awards 2008 to launch with special gig

The countdown to the Shockwaves NME Awards 2008 has begun – and for the first time ever we want you there as we kick things off.

The ceremony itself takes place on February 28, but everything is going to launch with a massive party next month at London’s Indigo venue in the massive O2 Arena, where the ceremony itself will take place for the first time.

After the awards’ old home, the legendary Hammersmith Palais, lost its fight against property developers and was demolished, we thought we’d break our new home in with a massive gig.

Taking place on December 6, the launch party will see the voting for this year’s awards open, as the bands hit the stage.

Indie pop gods-in-waiting Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong will be playing along with The Wombats, plus there will be DJ sets from Queens Of Noize and South Central.

The event – which will be hosted by E4’s George Lamb – will feature a very special headliner that we’re going to announce soon.

Plus, this year we want to get you involved in the awards like never before. Not only will we have a host of exciting events around the ceremony which will be announcing nearer the time, but you can come to our launch party.

We have 175 pairs of tickets to give away. To win one simply head to NME.COM/Awards now. Meanwhile, we’ll have plenty more news in the coming weeks about the return of the tour, the shows and the voting itself as we build up to the Shockwave NME Awards 2008 themselves.