Tonight Matthew, I will be a historical record. ItвЂ™s a celebration of where music is in February 2011 an opportunity for ground breakers to prove their wares. None of them need this tour, and all have their avid followers, but tonight isnвЂ™t about market exposure. On further inspection one sees a quality unseen on previous tours: each of tonightвЂ™s bands have built their own momentum and could fill the epic Brixton Academy in their own right. This year the line-up appears to be obeying its own clichГ© by opening with the latest hype machine but this is a good thing as it gives a prime opportunity to look for badges on the merchandise stall instead. Previous contestants have been The Killers Vs The Futureheads, Coldplay Vs Campag Velocet, and my personal favourite Heavy Stereo Vs Fluffy. Whose MP3s will be deleted in five years time against the band itвЂ™s okay to name drop when talking about the good вЂole days. I personally like to play the вЂњwhoвЂ™s cool and whoвЂ™s the foolвЂќ game. The annual NME tour never fails to amuse with its put-a-pin-in-a-page random selection of wannabe stars.

Roll up roll as the circus comes to town. Click on any image to enlarge | All photographs by Steven Walker

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