NME closes print edition: Bands and journalists pay tribute

'Love to all the writers there who’ve helped us over the years,' writes The Libertines

One of Britain’s most beloved music magazines, NME (New Musical Express), has announced this week’s issue (Friday 9 March) will be the final free print edition.

Launched in 1952, the magazine prided itself on taking relatively unknown bands and propelling to mainstream success.

Following the news, multiple bands and journalists paid tribute to NME, which itself relaunched as a free magazine back in September 2015.

“Very sorry to hear about the NME issuing its last print edition,” wrote The Libertines on Twitter. “Love to all the writers there who’ve helped us over the years, and to all of you that picked up a copy. Blessed to have had you in our corner.”

The British band Slaves wrote: “RIP NME. I still remember the feeling of our band first being mentioned in your hallowed pages. (And have a copy of every time we’ve been in it) Blessed to have been part of that historic magazine.”

People also shared their favourite NME covers from over the years, including those featuring Kurt Cobain, Oasis, and David Bowie.

Time Inc, the owners of NME, said in a statement: "NME's free weekly print magazine will cease publication. This week's issue of the magazine out on Friday will be the final free print edition.”

Paul Cheal, Time Inc. UK's group managing director for Music, added: "NME is one of the most iconic brands in British media and our move to free print has helped to propel the brand to its biggest ever audience on NME.com."

"At the same time, we have also faced increasing production costs and a very tough print advertising market. Unfortunately we have now reached a point where the free weekly magazine is no longer financially viable. It is the digital space where effort and investment will focus to secure a strong future for this famous brand.”

NME will focus on growing its digital platforms, a spokesperson said, which will include the website, its ticketing service, new music marketplace PledgeMusic, and two new radio stations.

Keith Walker, digital director of NME, said: "With these new developments, we are giving consumers even more of what they want from us. By making the digital platforms our core focus, we can accelerate the amazing growth we've seen and reach more people than ever before on the devices they're most naturally using."