MTV knows how to throw an awards party. While everyone in the music world knows the VMAs, not as many know about the network’s mtvU Woodie Awards. Since 2002, the mtvU Woodies have been celebrating college students’ favorite music. This year the big acts to perform at the awards show (March 20, 9pm, MTV) are Big Sean (Ariana Grande’s boyfriend) and Years & Years. If you’re not in college or into British electronica–and you skipped SXSW in Austin–you probably haven’t heard of Years & Years. But you will.
Since 2010, frontman and keyboardist Olly Alexander, bassist Mikey Goldsworthy and synth player Emre Turkmen have been producing music together. Legend goes that Alexander joined the band after Goldsworthy heard him singing in the shower. In 2014, they signed on with Polydor Records and released their fourth single “Take Shelter.” Right now, their sixth single “King” is #1 on the UK Singles Electronic Chart. Their debut album, Communion, will be out on June 22, 2015.
