Local music legends honoured at first ever Northern Music Awards

Lisa Stansfield and Courteeners – two music legends from the Rochdale borough – have been honoured at the inaugural Northern Music Awards.

Organised by the UK’s largest music therapy charity, Nordoff and Robbins, the Northern Music Awards took place at Manchester’s iconic Albert Hall on Tuesday 23 April, 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 (Courteeners), 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.

One of Rochdale’s most famous singers, Lisa 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, and was presented with the Northern Icon award by Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham.

Indie group Courteeners, of Middleton, were named Band of the Year from a shortlist including Blossoms and Bring Me The Horizon.

 

 

Lisa 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.”

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.”

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.

Money raised from this year's awards will help support the ambitious vision to open a new Nordoff and Robbins music therapy centre in Salford, a multi-disciplinary music making and therapy space, with interactive, accessible music technology throughout, serving the needs of individuals and diverse Northern communities.

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.

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.