- Words Notion Staff
Honouring the breadth of talent across the region, music charity Nordoff and Robbins establish an exciting new awards ceremony in Greater Manchester.
The north of England has been a rich musical source for decades. It’s easy to get caught up in the industry’s London-centricity, but cities like Newcastle, Leeds and Sheffield have a formidable cultural heritage, that in many ways, trumps the capital altogether. Few venues have been as impactful as the New Order-owned, Manchester-residing Hacienda, which shook Britain for many years with Mike Pickering’s transatlantic acid house selections. Oasis, The Stone Roses and Happy Mondays are just a few bands who also left their mark in ‘90s Mancunia but there’s a wealth of talent still flying the city’s flag today.
To honour the area’s past, present and future, Nordoff and Robbins will launch their inaugural Northern Music Awards in Salford this year. Celebrating the region’s contribution to British music, the ceremony promises a star-studded show full of live performances. Spice Girls icon Melanie C will be merited for her outstanding contribution to music, alongside artists, festivals and industry figures pioneering their respective fields. Hosted by BBC 6 Music’s Chris Hawkins, the event will also recognise live music venues for their power to connect people and support growth in the creative industries.
Nordoff and Robbins deliver music therapy to clients across London, Newcastle and Glasgow, and with the money raised by the awards ceremony, they hope to open another centre in Salford, Greater Manchester. The wide-ranging positive impacts of music therapy haven’t gone unnoticed, and a new hub in The North of England will be hugely beneficial for Mancunian residents with psychological, physical, or developmental disabilities.
The Nordoff and Robbins Northern Music Awards will take place on November 30. Ticket information can be found here.