Kasabian lead NME Awards nominations

British rockers Kasabian are the ones to beat at the 2015 NME Awards after landing eight nominations.

The Fire hitmakers are in the running for the coveted Best British Band prize, and will fend off competition from the likes of Alt-J, Chvrches, Royal Blood, The Libertines, and Arctic Monkeys, who won the trophy earlier this year (14).

Kasabian are also up for Best Live Band, Best Album (48:13), Best Track and Dance Floor Filler (Eez-Eh), Best Music Film (Kasabian: Summer Solstice), Music Moment of the Year (Glastonbury headliner), and Best Fan Community.

Overwhelmed with their nominations, Kasabian said in a statement, "2014 has been such an incredible year for us, and being nominated for eight NME Awards is a better Christmas present than getting (kids' toy) Castle Greyskull in '86! Thanks very much!"

Royal Blood and Jamie T are tied with seven nods each, also going up against Kasabian in the Best Album category.

Other multiple nominees include Arctic Monkeys, La Roux, Foo Fighters, Fat White Family, and F.K.A. Twigs.

Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, Bono, and Russell Brand are among those nominated for Villain of the Year, while Styles' band One Direction will compete against the likes of 5 Seconds of Summer, U2 and Bastille for the Worst Band honor.

The ceremony will take place at the Brixton O2 Academy in London on 18 February (15).