Meet the first Aussie acts up for global gongs at 2020 NME Awards

Tame Impala, Stella Donnelly, Amyl + The Sniffers and the Michael Hutchence biopic Mystify are among those nominated in the international categories of the rebooted NME Awards

They are held in London on February 12 at the O2 Academy Brixton.

The 1975, Yungblud and Beabadoobee will play and Glastonbury festival organiser Emily Eavis will be conferred with the title of Godlike Genius.

The Aussies join names as Slowthai, Billie Eilish, AJ Tracey, FKA twigs, Lizzo, Little Simz, Charli XCX, Foals, Stormzy and Lana Del Rey.

The appearance in the nominations confirms what NME CEO Meng Kuok told TMN when the local version of the iconic music and movie title launched last month – that it would increase the international profile of Aussie NME-type acts through its coverage.

Tame Impala are up for Best Band In The World, up against Bring Me The Horizon, Brockhampton, BTS, HAIM, IDLES, Krept & Konan, Slipknot, The 1975 and The Big Moon.

Donnelly’s Beware Of The Dogs will vie for Best Album In The World.

The Perth singer-songwriter, who this week cancelled US dates due to health reasons, is in competition with Eilish, FKA twigs, Foals, Del Rey, Little Simz, Slowthai, and Tyler, the Creator.

Amyl + The Sniffers, who were on the cover of the inaugural Australian edition, are now battling it out for Best Live Act with Foals, Iggy Pop, Lizzo and Slowthai.

The Richard Lowenstein-directed Mystify, which took over $1.1 million at the box office, was nominated for Best Music Film.

Also in the category are Beyonce: Homecoming; BTS: Bring The Soul; Liam Gallagher: As It Was; and Elton John’s Rocketman.

Impala and Donnelly also fared well in the inaugural Australian section of the NME Awards.

Impala picked up two trophies – best Australian song for ‘Borderline’ and best Australian band.

Donnelly took best Australian album with Beware Of The Dogs.

Tones & I was best new Australian act, Mallrat the besy Australian solo act and St. Jerome’s Laneway the best Australian festival.

NME’s Meng Kuok said, “I’m excited to be able to celebrate the best in Aussie music and talent.

“The field of nominees was incredibly strong in this first year of Australian awards and the winners were hotly debated by everyone in the editorial team.

“Our big winners, Tame Impala have been going from strength to strength as not only one of Australia’s greatest exports but also one of the most influential bands of their time.

“Everything we’ve seen so far from The Slow Rush suggests that it’s destined to be another classic and leaves us eager to see what’s next.”

He also had praise for the other two winners.

“Tones & I’s meteoric rise in 2019 made her an obvious choice for Best New Act – dominating charts and setting new records, there’s no question she’s made a massive impact with her distinct, quirky pop style.

“Australian festival culture has been excellently vibrant in the last 12 months, and we’re recognising Laneway for its ability to retain its taste-making cultural cachet as it’s expanded in Australia and regionally, mixing the international and local heavy-hitters with up and comers and delivering the highest quality festival experience.