But there were glum faces and dark mutterings among the assembled media insiders. One key reason for this gloom was the magazine's circulation figures for the second half of 2007. Averaging around 64,000 per issue, they are the lowest ever, and a steep decline on previous years.

Given NME's growing profile online, on TV, at festivals and branded tours, these figures seem a strange and bitter pill. Some industry commentators are even speculating that the print version could close within months. "Who reads the NME then?" Ricky Wilson of the Kaiser Chiefs singer asked pointedly. - more on this story

Preview and Purchase Kaiser Chiefs CDs