Bloc Party, Drenge, Bugzy Malone, and Rat Boy to play NME Awards Tour 2016

Bugzy Malone, a grime MC from Manchester, will open the shows, with Rat Boy and Drenge also on the bill.

Bloc Party frontman Kele Okereke says of the tour: "It was a big deal for the band when we played the NME tour in 2005, so we're really excited to be returning as headliners in 2016. It's a great line-up and I’m really looking forward to seeing the other bands, I can’t wait to get out there."

NME Editor-In-Chief Mike Williams adds: “The line-up for the NME Awards Tour 2016 with Austin, Texas is amazing for UK music fans – where else next February could you see three of the most exciting, game-changing new artists around, as well as a bona fide festival headliner in such an intimate setting?”

Bloc Party's fifth long-player, and the first since the departure of longtime rhythm section Gordon Moakes and Matt Tong, is called HYMNS. It's out 29 January 2016 via Infectious Music/BMG.

Tickets for the tour will be available from 4 November.

Stream Bloc Party's latest single "The Love Within" below, and look over the NME Awards Tour dates after.

January

29 - Cardiff Great Hall
30 - O2 Guildhall Southampton

February

1 - O2 Academy Bristol
2 - Nottingham Rock City
4 - O2 Academy Newcastle
5 - Glasgow Barrowland
6 - Manchester Academy
8 - O2 Academy Leeds
9 - Cambridge Corn Exchange
11 - London O2 Academy Brixton
12 - O2 Academy Birmingham