NME 2009 - The Big Gig featuring The Cure

A Godlike line up - The Cure set to headline The Shockwaves NME Awards Big Gig along with special guests After a show stealing debut last year, the Shockwaves NME Awards Big Gig is back with a bang! NME are proud to announce that The Cure are set to celebrate being crowned Godlike Geniuses at next year's Shockwaves NME Awards by headlining the annual Big Gig on February 26th 2009. Fresh from glory at the previous night's Shockwaves NME Awards ceremony, the band will make a short hop across the capital, to take to the stage at The O2 arena in London. As with last year - which saw Godlike Geniuses Manic Street Preachers share the stage with Kaiser Chiefs, Bloc Party, The Cribs and Johnny Marr - the show will feature the biggest and brightest names around, who will be announced very soon. Robert Smith of The Cure said: "When The Cure play now we play pretty much everything. We'll do the same kind of thing, we'll reflect what we've done over the years" Rising from Britain's late 70's punk scene and growing into one of the most influential acts in the world, The Cure's iconic music has ascended them to cult status and placed them as a genre-defining band. Conor McNicholas, editor NME said: "The Cure, fresh from their God Like Genius glory, will raise the roof of The O2 on February 26th in what is set to be a night to remember for new and old fans everywhere. With some of the hottest new acts around set to finish off a cracking line up, tickets are going to go fast so make sure you get yours now!" The Cure have amassed an impressive array of fans including band members who have repeatedly cited them as major influences. Gordon Moakes of Bloc Party said: "The Cure are a classic English band. I think there's something very genuine about Robert Smith too - if he was American I think he'd make a cult out of it. What's interesting is that you can take his contemporaries from when The Cure started i.e. Morrissey, Mark E Smith, and none of them are really mainstream icons, even now. I think it's nice that we have these oddball figures who always have a place without having to dilute what they do. That's quite reassuring for us as a band." Meanwhile Drew McConnell of Babyshambles said: "The Cure are one of The Great Prototype Bands, they were the start of something. Along with Bauhaus, Joy Division and Sisters Of Mercy they represent true "Gothic Music", a term now erroneously associated with those bedwetting American bands in mascara. I wonder how many of these kids who listen to MCR and call themselves Goths have even heard Disintegration? Next to Robert Smith Marilyn Manson is about as dark as a cheeky girl." Rob Hallet President of AEG Live said "We are extremely proud to be involved with the Big Gig for the second year and welcome the Cure's much deserved induction to the God Like Genius status" Tickets for the Shockwaves NME Awards Big Gig go on sale on Wednesday 5 November at 9am and are available exclusively from www.nme.com/biggig until Monday 10 November and www.theo2.co.uk/event/nme-2009-the-big-gig-20090226.html from 10 November.