NME Awards 2014 enter into a partnership with Austin, Texas

No doubt the acronym NME brings up thoughts of the U.K. for you, if you like to keep an eye on what those folks across the pond are up to in the studio (it's certainly Music Times' first stop for Britrock news). You will be curious then, as we were, when you hear that NME has entered a partnership with the city of Austin, TX for its NME Awards 2014.

No worries anglophiles: Just about all of the NME Awards will once again take place at the London O2 Academy Brixton this year. Austin will, presumably through a video stream, play host to the Best International Band category during the show. Plus, Austin will also sponsor the NME Awards Tour, plans for which will further develop after the ceremony itself.

Austin has earned a reputation, not only in the United States but abroad, for its promotion of live music. It serves as home for performers including Okkervil River, Ben Kweller and The Sword, besides hosting several huge music festivals such as Austin City Limits and South-By-Southwest (SXSW). The city has declared itself the "live music capitol of the world," and NME editor Mike Williams seems to agree with the city's findings.

"No city in the world does more to support live music than Austin, Texas. They pack in a mindboggling amount of amazing festivals into a year, each of which seems to get better every time. Like everything else that the city does, they do it all their own way, embracing vibrancy, diversity and passion. There couldn't be a more perfect partner for the NME Awards 2014."

The NME Awards will take place on February 26.