Artist of the Year winner Louis Tomlinson donates exclusive signed guitar for public prize draw
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The UK’s largest music therapy charity, Nordoff and Robbins, this evening held the first music awards show to recognise and celebrate the breadth of talent across the North of England. The inaugural Northern Music Awards supported by Ticketmaster and Live Nation took place at Manchester’s iconic Albert Hall on Tuesday 23 April 2024, honouring northern artists, festivals, venues and industry figures.
The packed public awards show, hosted by BBC Radio 6 Music’s Chris Hawkins, saw performances from Liam Fray, Lisa Stansfield, English Teacher, The K’s and Antony Szmierek. Guest presenters from the region included Gary Neville, Gillian Gilbert and Stephen Norris from New Order and Thomas Turgoose.

The Northern Music Awards will take place in a different northern city each year, kickstarting a new chapter in celebrating the diverse talent of the North of England. Money raised from this year’s awards will help support the ambitious vision to open a new Nordoff and Robbins music therapy centre in the North-West. The new Nordoff and Robbins Greater Manchester centre based in Salford will be a multi-disciplinary music making and therapy space, with interactive, accessible music technology throughout, serving the needs of individuals and diverse Northern communities.
Winners:
· Liam Fray from indie rock royalty The Courteeners took to the stage at the inaugural Nordoff and Robbins Northern Music Awards for a special live acoustic performance of Not Nineteen Forever and a cover of Oasis’s The Masterplan. The Middleton band picked up the award for Band of the Year, sponsored by ASM Global and presented by footballer and commentator Gary Neville. Liam said: “It’s really nice to be in a room with this much talent… but this isn’t about us, it’s about Nordoff and Robbins and the work that they do, it’s about music, and the way they’re changing lives with music and sometimes even saving lives with music.”
· Manchester legend Lisa Stansfield raised the roof on the former Wesleyan Chapel with a powerful set including performances of The Real Thing, Change, Live Together and All Around the World, as well as being presented with the Northern Icon award sponsored by Accenture by Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham. Lisa said: “I’m so honoured to receive this award, it means a massive amount to me because when I was 14 years old, I started my career on Granada TV just around the corner. Then I went around the whole of the north of England doing cabaret and clubs, that was my apprenticeship… Then my agent introduced me to Nordoff and Robbins and I’m so glad that he did. They’re absolutely incredible. They really do teach people that music is like magic, and it can do things that not a lot of other things can do.”

· Indie superstar, Tim Burgess, was presented with the headline Northern Music Award 2024 sponsored by Live Nationby Gillian Gilbert and Stephen Morris fromManchester royalty New Order. Tim said “Firstly, I’d like to thank Nordoff and Robbins for this moment, and two of my music heroes for presenting me with the honour. Secondly, to everyone who’s been part of my musical journey…it’s been a long road, so if you’re just starting out, stick with it!”
· Spice Girl Melanie C received the Special Recognition Award sponsored by SJM Concerts for her outstanding contribution to music from broadcaster Helen Skelton. Melanie was unable to attend in person and sent a video acceptance where she stated: “Thank you so, so much for this award. Look at that, it’s gorgeous, isn’t it? I’m a little bit out of practice! I can’t remember the last time I got an award, especially on my own. I can’t quite believe it’s the first Nordoff and Robbins Northern Music Awards. Let’s face it, all the best music comes from the North, so why has it taken so long? I’m gutted I can’t be there. It’s great to be honoured by such a wonderful charity which does great work.”
· Singer songwriter and producer Louis Tomlinson, formerly of One Direction, won Artist of the Year, sponsored by Ticketmaster. Louis was presented with the award by newcomer award shortlisted artists Mica Millar and Phoebe Green and was unable to attend in person, sending a video acceptance including the comments “It means the world to win Artist of the Year, thank you, thank you, thank you. And thanks to Nordoff and Robbins for doing such an incredible thing”.
To celebrate his award win, Louis Tomlinson has donated a beautiful Fender Duo Sonic guitar for a public prize draw, which he has signed for the lucky winner. Louis had the idea to donate the prize as he is currently learning how to play the guitar and said he “finds a lot of joy in it”. Louis said he hoped that “by donating a guitar it will encourage and help someone else begin to learn how to play”. All money raised will support Nordoff and Robbins music therapy provision across the UK. Entries cost £5 each and are via the Crowdfunder website, closing at midnight on 28 May 2024.https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/louis-tomlinson-signed-fender-duo-sonic-guitar

· Warrington’s rising indie stars The K’s performed Chancer and Lights Go Down and won the Breakthrough Act of the Year, sponsored by music licensing company PPL, presented by TV chef Simon Rimmer.
· Up-and-coming Leeds post-punk quartet, English Teacher performed Albatross and Albert Road and wonthe Best Newcomer Award, sponsored by PizzaExpress Live, presented by award designer Thomas Wolski.
· Rotherham’s indie-rock juggernauts The Reytons won the Disruptor in Music Award sponsored by Notion magazine and presented by actor Thomas Turgoose.
· Manchester’s DJ Paulette won DJ of the Year, sponsored by Scan.co.uk and presented byBBC Radio Manchester’s Karen Gabay.
· Oldham rapper Aitch won Music Moment of the Year sponsored by Raymond Weil for his Glastonbury 2023 performance.
· Spoken word, indie hip hop artist Antony Szmierek, from Hyde who was shortlisted for the newcomer award, opened the public awards show with a compelling new spoken word and audio-visual piece about the power of music, specially commissioned by Nordoff and Robbins.
Earlier in the evening, prior to the public show, Northern music industry stars, venues and festivals were celebrated.
· Renowned for showcasing emerging musical talent from the North of England including Manchester rapper Aitch, founder and CEO of Manchester-based talent management company NQ, Michael Adex, received the first ever Industry Icon Award, presented by Michael’s sister Faith.
· Lancashire’s Beat-Herder festival won the Festival of the Year Award, voted by the public and sponsored by The Manc.
· Continuing to champion live music, two Inspirational Venue of the Year categories, sponsored by Skiddle, were up for grabs. The award for under 500 capacity saw Brudenell Social Club in Leeds take the prize, while Manchester’s Band on the Wall won the under 2,000 capacity award.
· DanceSyndrome – Everybody Dance, Lancashire won a special Music and Culture for Wellbeing Award, supported by theGreater Manchester Combined Authority, for their outstanding and innovative creative arts provision in the North. Presented by Mayor of Salford, Paul Dennett, the award highlights projects that use music and culture to support and connect with people that face health, wellbeing, and socio-economic challenges.
Music making lies at the heart of Nordoff and Robbins’ critical music therapy work. A unique approach shaped by more than 60 years of practice, Nordoff and Robbins’ trained music therapists use the power of music to break through the barriers caused by life-limiting illness, disability and social isolation, creating space for people to express themselves and find connection in society.
Nadra Shah, Director of Engagement and Communications, Nordoff and Robbins, said:“The Northern Music Awards are all about honouring the massive musical talent that continues to come out of this region. We want to thank all the artists, venues, festivals, music industry teams, sponsors and music fans who have come together to celebrate with us and make this first ever awards a reality.
“We’ve had an amazing night honouring the enormous success of both established artists and some of the region’s most exciting new emerging talent. The awards aim to support and help to grow the eco system of Northern musicians whilst shining a light on the transformative work that Nordoff and Robbins does with music therapy to connect with some of the region’s most isolated communities”.
“In 2024 we’re celebrating 20 years of music therapy in Greater Manchester and we’re excited that this show will support our vision to open a brand new music therapy centre for the people of the city. – helped by the money raised from these awards.”
Liam Fray said: “It’s a huge honour to be performing at the first Northern Music Awards, not only to help celebrate the incredible music talent that continues to come out of the North, but to raise awareness of the work Nordoff and Robbins does with music therapy, using the power of music to help people connect and communicate.”
Tim Burgess said: “It’s incredible to be recognised with the inaugural Northern Music Award. Music is important on so many levels, and I’m a firm believer in the unique way that it can connect people. It means a lot to me to be able to support the great work of Nordoff and Robbins, who use music therapy to unlock life for some of the most vulnerable people in society – and through the funds raised by everyone coming along to the Northern Music Awards we’ll be opening up music therapy to even more people across the North.”
Lisa Stansfield said: “Music and singing are in my blood as much as being a proud Mancunian, so to be named Northern Icon at the first ever Northern Music Awards is an immense privilege. I’m incredibly proud to support Nordoff and Robbins to raise money for a new music therapy centre for the people of Greater Manchester. The benefits of music therapy are simply life changing, helping children and adults who are otherwise isolated to break through barriers and find a connection.”
The Northern Music Award statue is designed by contemporary British artist Thomas Wolski, who grew up in Southport, Lancashire and has his art studio in Manchester. Thomas said: “I really wanted the award to be an artwork in its own right and have strived to create a piece that puts the power of music and human connection at the front of the design in a reflection of the charity’s work”.
Nordoff and Robbins delivers music therapy to clients across the UK from bases in London, Newcastle, and Scotland, and its biggest service area is currently the North of England, with 58 music therapists and 118 partner organisations providing 20,000 sessions of vital music therapy to more than 5,400 people in the region.
The awards continue Nordoff and Robbins’ close partnerships with the UK music industry, developed since the creation of its annual Silver Clef music awards in 1976. The judging panel comprises industry heavyweights including people from Ticketmaster, SJM Concerts, Music Venue Trust, Live Nation, and Kendall Calling, as well as BBC Radio 6 Music presenter Chris Hawkins, who hosted the April event.
Find out more about the Northern Music Awards and music therapy at https://www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk/northern-music-awards/