NME’s O2 Launch – Any Excuse for a Party

Messy-haired media types, mod rockers, Indie rockers, Goth rockers and wannabe rockers were out in full force at the NME launch party on Thursday night.

The crowds converging at London’s 02 dome fell into two distinct tune-adoring camps: the aforementioned kings and queens of urban cool who trickled into the intimate indigo2 bar, glammed to the nines in their signature looks: pencil ties, Johnny Borrell-esque mop-tops, defiant expressions.

While next door, flooding into the massive 02 arena, hordes of die-hard Take That fans re-emerged from the ’90s to relive their youths in pink fur-trimmed cowboy hats like a giant hen party gone very wrong.

Thankfully the appropriately dark venue (the only light of which came from some funky coloured neon rods on the ceiling and walls) for the NME bash was loud enough to drown out any of the teeny-bop tripe next door. So the skinny-jeaned style crew rocked out in virtual ‘peace’ to Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong, The Wombats and Queens of Noize.

Unsurprisingly, one rocker who failed to show up for his gig was the soberly-challenged frontman of shambolic group Babyshambles: Pete Doherty. The band’s bassist Drew McConnell and drummer Adam Ficek went ahead without him and equally absent guitarist Mik Whitnall, and performed as a duo with some unexpected support from one of their biggest fans, audience member Jamie Bell who took to the stage for Carry on Up the Morning.

The deficiency of Doherty’s inaudible murmurings was barely missed, as the well-behaved punters partied hard as only über hipsters can.