First Ever Northern Music Awards Show To Be Held In Manchester Tonight, Featuring Liam Fray And Lisa Stansfield

The Northern Music Awards will honour artists, festivals, venues and industry figures from across the North of England.

Emmeline Banks - Junior Staff Writer • April 23, 2024

lisa-stansfield-selfie-with-hat-liam-fray-playing-guitar-on-stage-at-a-festival — Credit: Northern Music Awards/Supplied

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Everyone knows that Manchester is an absolute mecca for incredible music, whether it’s musicians, venues or festivals. It’s hard to believe we’ve never actually hosted our own awards for the very best contributions to the music industry in the North of England before, but now the inaugural Nordoff and Robbins Northern Music Awards show is set to take place in Manchester tonight.

As the UK’s largest music therapy charity, Nordoff and Robbins is proud to hold the first music awards show to recognise and celebrate the breadth of talent across the North of England, taking place tonight (Tuesday 23 April) at Manchester’s iconic Albert Hall. Resurrected in 2013 after being closed for over 40 years, the ornate Grade II listed Wesleyan chapel has been restored into a stunning purpose-built music hall and is one of the most atmospheric music and events venues in the UK.

albert-hall-manchester-interior-fish-eye-crown-from-back-stage-lit-up-where-northern-music-awards-will-be-held — Credit: Albert Hall

Set to be an annual event held by Nordoff and Robbins in a different Northern city each year, the Northern Music Awards will honour artists, festivals, venues and industry figures from across the North of England with a specially commissioned award designed by contemporary British artist Thomas Wolski.

The performance-packed show will help to fundraise for Nordoff and Robbins’ vision to open a dedicated state of the art music therapy centre for Greater Manchester – based in Salford – and will kickstart a new chapter in celebrating the diverse talent of the North of England year after year.

Liam Fray from indie rock royalty Courteeners will be taking to the stage for a special live acoustic performance, alongside Manchester legend Lisa Stansfield, Warrington’s rising stars The K’s and the up-and-coming Leeds quartet, English Teacher. Spoken word, indie hip hop artist Antony Szmierek, from Hyde, will be opening the awards with a specially commissioned piece about the power of music therapy.

english-teacher-band--on-a-set-with-wallpaper-behind-and-red-table-and-chairs — Credit: Denmarc Creary/Supplied

Middleton rock band Courteeners are also shortlisted for Band of the Year, alongside Stockport-bred indie-pop band Blossoms and Sheffield rock band Bring Me The Horizon. Legendary singer, songwriter and actor, Rochdale’s Lisa Stansfield will be crowned Northern Icon, and will be celebrating her win with a unique stripped back set at the award show.

Indie superstar, Tim Burgess, of Charlatans and listening party fame, will be honoured with the headline Northern Music Award 2024 and Rotherham’s indie-rock juggernauts The Reytons are also revealed as winners of the Disruptor in Music Award.

Indie/post-punk Leeds rising stars English Teacher are shortlisted for the Best Newcomer Award and will be performing on the night. Also shortlisted for the newcomer category are spoken word artist Antony Szmierek, performing a one-off piece at the awards, and soul artist Mica Millar, both from Manchester, along with seven other Northern acts.

Up and coming indie band The K’s, from Warrington will be playing at the awards and are shortlisted for Breakthrough Act of the Year. Also shortlisted are two acts from Merseyside – Crawlers (Liverpool) and The Mysterines (Wirral and Liverpool).

sam-fender-musician-nominated-at-northern-music-awards — Credit: Charlotte Patmore/Supplied

Spice Girl Melanie C will receive the Special Recognition Award for her outstanding contribution to music. Singer songwriter Sam Fender, from North Shields, Rotherham’s Self Esteem and Louis Tomlinson, born in Doncaster, are shortlisted for Artist of the Year.

DJ of the Year sees Liverpool’s Paige Tomlinson, Burnley’s DJ Woody, Djinn and DJ Paulette – both from Manchester – all in the running.

Award winners still to be announced include Music Moment of the Year, Disruptor in Music, and a special Music and Culture for Wellbeing award, supported by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, which will showcase outstanding and innovative creative arts provision in the North.

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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”, with Lisa Stansfield adding: “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.”

The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “I’m delighted to be helping to bring these inaugural awards to the North – and what better city to launch in than Manchester? Historically, Northern music has always been a cut above, especially the music from working class communities. There is a strong, talented, and passionate musical heritage here that deserves to be celebrated.”