Franz Ferdinand to open NME Awards Shows 2009

The Shockwaves NME Awards Shows 2009 are back for another year and set to bring the capital to its knees in a five week frenzy of rock 'n' roll! Kicking off the ultimate season of live music are Scot rockers Franz Ferdinand, who will be headlining the opening show at Heaven on January 20th - and also giving lucky fans a taster of their new album "Tonight: Franz Ferdinand".

The Shockwaves NME Awards Shows 2009, which have previously played host to the likes of Kasabian, Elbow and Amy Winehouse are yet again set to cater for all musical needs with a diverse line up of rock, indie, dance, electro, folk and punk. Meanwhile London's top music venues, Shepherds Bush Empire, Koko, Islington Academy and Brixton Academy will be providing the stomping ground for an orgy of musical entertainment.

Following Franz Ferdinand on the line up are The Gaslight Anthem who come across the water to represent the US at the Shepherds Bush Empire on Sunday 8th February, supported by up and coming Folk soloist Frank Turner and The Polar Bear Club.

And giving music lovers more than one chance to show off their dance moves on are Simian Mobile Disco at Koko (Thursday12th) followed closely by Mystery Jets delivering that 80's flavour at the Empire (Friday 13th) with support from Little Boots.

Islington Academy hosts three nights of Stateside action with appearances from the hard-hitting punk act Black Lips (Sunday 15th), Dallas psychedelic rock band Secret Machines (Monday 16th) and Californian new wave hip hop act Iglu and Hartley (Sunday 15th, Monday 16th and Tuesday 17th)

Shepherds Bush Empire sees trip-hop megastar Tricky taking to the stage (Friday 20th), whilst Liverpudlian favourites The Wombats return to the line up following last year's success (Monday 23rd).

Finally Metronomy are set to raise the roof at Koko on February 24th, satisfying the needs of indie kids everywhere! The London shows are shortly followed by the Shockwaves NME Awards (Wednesday 25th Brixton Academy), Big Gig (Thursday 26th O2 Arena) and Tour (29th January – 21st February).

Tickets - www.NME.com

Shockwaves NME Awards shows dates:

Tuesday 20th January Franz Ferdinand Heaven
Sunday 8th February The Gaslight Anthems Shepherds Bush Empire
Frank Turner
The Polar Bear Club
Wednesday 11th February Ida Maria Koko
Thursday 12th February Simian Mobile Disco Koko
Chrome Hoof
Friday 13th February Mystery Jets Shepherds Bush Empire
Little Boots
Sunday 15th February Black Lips Islington Academy
Vivian Girls
Monday 16th February Secret Machines Islington Academy
Tuesday 17th February Iglu and Hartley Islington Academy
Friday 20th February Tricky Shepherds Bush Empire
Monday 23rd February Wombats Shepherds Bush Empire
Tuesday 24th February Metronomy Koko