Yoko Ono wins NME Inspiration award at 2016 NME Awards

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Yoko Ono wins NME Inspiration award at NME Awards 2016 with Austin, Texas
Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore presents Ono with the honour on the eve of her 83rd birthday
DAMIAN JONES
17TH FEBRUARY 2016



The multimedia artist, activist and widow of late Beatle John Lennon was presented with the award by former Sonic Youth guitarist Thurston Moore. Presenting the award Moore spoke about how he first Ono in one of his early bands. He added: "She is an activist for peace. Her and her husband expressed peace. To say her name is to express happiness."

A video of her life life then played out before she arrived onstage to accept the award ahead of her 83rd birthday day tomorrow (February 18).

She said: "I'm excited to get this award. I didn't expect it at all. It's great to be busy together.



Stay with us here at NME.COM/awards to get all the latest news, videos, photos and gossip from the ceremony, which will also see Coldplay receive the Godlike Genius Award and close the ceremony with a live performance.



Voting for the NME Awards with Austin, Texas is now closed. Following thousands of votes from NME readers, The Libertines and Wolf Alice have six nominations in total, including nods in the categories of 'Best British Band, 'Best Live Band' and 'Best Track'.

A host of stars and musicians have already hit the red carpet, including Blur, Kylie Minogue, Yoko Ono, Charli XCX, Wolf Alice, Foals, Slaves, The Vaccines and The Libertines all in the building.

They join Katy B, Bring Me The Horizon, Ricky Wilson, The Maccabees and cast members from Game Of Thrones and This Is England who are also in attendance.

Foals opened the ceremony tonight at London's O2 Academy Brixton with a live performance of 'What Went Down' from their 2015 album of the same name, which is also nominated for Best Album tonight.

In addition to Coldplay and Foals, Bring Me The Horizon will perform live, as will The Maccabees and Rat Boy. Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens returns to host the show for the third year in a row










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