NME and MTV2 unite for South by SouthWest special

by Alex Donohue, Brand Republic 27-Mar-06, 11:00

LONDON - The NME is joining forces with MTV2 to present a special issue for last week's South by SouthWest festival in Austin, Texas.

The NME SXSW issue, which this year included high-profile guest spots from Arctic Monkeys and Editors, will include a covermount CD featuring bands that appeared on the NME and MTV2 co-sponsored Best New Bands showcase.

Acts expected to feature on the CD include The Cribs, The Go! Team, The Like, The Rakes and erstwhile Libertine Carl Barat's new band, Dirty Pretty Things.

Meanwhile, MTV2 will be running a weekend of live music, interviews and backstage footage hosted by Zane Lowe and Transgressive Records' Toby L, including performances from Editors and Snow Patrol.

Tammi Iley, NME publisher, said: "South by SouthWest presented the perfect opportunity for NME and MTV2 to come together and showcase the very best UK talent making a noise in the industry. We already work with MTV2 to provide the best chart show going, so this further cements our relationship with a leading music brand."

It is the second year that the NME and MTV2 have been involved with the SXSW festival, which has been going since 1987. This year's festival featured more than 1,000 acts across Europe and the US.

Conor McNicholas, NME editor, said: "South by SouthWest is one of the biggest showcases for new music internationally, so it's not surprising that NME had such a strong presence at the event. With this double whammy special edition and hand-selected CD, we're bringing the sights and sounds of South by Southwest to all our readers."

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