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Huge line-up of acts and nominees announced for first-ever Northern Music Awards

The inaugural awards will take place in Manchester, with an amazing line-up of northern talent performing.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 15th February 2024

The Nordoff and Robbins Northern Music Awards have confirmed nominees, line-up and more information about the inaugural event this year.

The huge awards will bring together and celebrate the biggest northern names in music, all while raising vital funds for a state-of-the-art music therapy for Greater Manchester.

Today, the Northern Music Awards has announced that Courteeners’ Liam Fray will perform a short and special live acoustic set at the event in April.

Also taking to the stage at the Albert Hall in Manchester will be the legendary Lisa Stansfield with a stripped-back set – the Rochdale legend will be crowned Northern Icon.

The stage will be welcoming Warrington’s rising stars The K’s, up-and-coming Leeds quartet English Teacher, and spoken word, indie hip hop artist Antony Szmierek, who is to open the awards with a specially commissioned piece about the power of music therapy.

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This inaugural event, supported by Ticketmaster and Live Nation, will be held in Manchester, with the Northern Music Awards then choosing a different northern host city for each subsequent event.

This very first event is taking place at Albert Hall on Tuesday 23 April, with tickets on sale to the public today here.

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Nordoff and Robbins is the UK’s largest music charity and hopes that the event will be an essential fundraiser, as well as kickstarting a new chapter celebrating the breadth of talent across the north of England.

As well as performing, Liam Fray may revisit the stage later in the evening – Courteeners are shortlisted for Band of the Year, along with Blossoms and Sheffield’s Bring Me The Horizon.

Antony Szmierek performing at the launch of the Northern Music Awards
Courteeners. Credit: Ewan Ogden

Antony Szmierek, Mica Millar, and indie/post-punk Leeds rising stars English Teacher are among the acts shortlisted for the Best Newcomer Award.

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

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

Deserving winners in categories championing the entire industry from artist to event to venue, will receive a specially commissioned award designed by Lancashire-born contemporary British artist Thomas Wolski.

Nadra Shah, director of engagement and communications at Nordoff and Robbins, said: “The Northern Music Awards aims to celebrate the massive musical talent that continues to come out of this region and will be held annually in different Northern cities.

“We want to honour the enormous success of established artists such as the award winning and multi-million album selling Lisa Stansfield – but also spotlight emerging musicians who may not yet be recognised at a national level.

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“We really want to support and help to grow the eco system of Northern musicians whilst shining a light on the transformative work we do with music therapy to connect with some of the region’s most isolated communities.

“In 2024 we’re celebrating 20 years of providing essential music therapy in Greater Manchester and we’re excited that this show will support our vision to open a brand new centre – helped by the money raised from these awards.”

Melanie C
Melanie C. Credit: Publicity picture

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.”

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.”

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The new Nordoff and Robbins music therapy centre, supported by The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, and City of Salford Mayor, Paul Dennett, will be a ‘multi-disciplinary music making and therapy space, housing a high spec recording studio with interactive, accessible music technology throughout, serving the needs of individuals and diverse Northern communities’.

Andy Burnham visiting a Nordoff & Robbins centre. Credit: Elspeth Moore
Andy Burnham visiting a Nordoff & Robbins centre. Credit: Elspeth Moore

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.”

The judging panel comprises industry heavyweights including Ticketmaster, SJM Concerts, Music Venue Trust, Live Nation, and Kendall Calling, as well as BBC Radio 6 Music presenter Chris Hawkins, who will host the April event.

Find out more about the Northern Music Awards and music therapy at nordoff-robbins.org.uk/northern-music-awards/

The full list of nominees for the 2024 Nordoff and Robbins Northern Music Awards

Special Recognition Award, Sponsored by SJM Concerts

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Melanie C

Northern Icon

Lisa Stansfield

Northern Music Award 2024, Sponsored by Live Nation

TBA

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Newcomer of the Year, Sponsored by PizzaExpress Live

  • Antony Szmierek
  • English Teacher
  • The Goa Express
  • Mica Millar
  • OneDa
  • Otis Mensah
  • The Pale White
  • Phoebe Green
  • Pip Millett
  • Seb Lowe

Disruptor Award, Sponsored by Notion Magazine

TBA

Breakthrough Act of the Year, Sponsored by PPL

  • The Mysterines
  • Crawlers
  • The K’s

Artist of the Year Sponsored, by Ticketmaster

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  • Sam Fender
  • Louis Tomlinson
  • Self Esteem

Band of the Year, Sponsored by ASM Global

  • Blossoms
  • Courteeners
  • Bring Me the Horizon

DJ of the Year, Sponsored by Scan.co.uk

  • Paige Tomlinson
  • DJ Woody
  • Djinn
  • DJ Paulette

Favourite Festival of the Year, Sponsored by The Manc

(Longlist – winner chosen by the public)

  • Beatherder, Lancashire
  • Bluedot, Cheshire
  • Confessional, Blackburn
  • Creamfields North
  • Deer Shed, Yorkshire
  • Get Together, Sheffield
  • Highest Point, Lancaster
  • Kendal Calling, Cumbria
  • Leeds Festival
  • Lindisfarne Northumberland
  • Long Division, Wakefield
  • Lytham Festival
  • Manchester Pride
  • Moovin, Stockport
  • Neighbourhood, Warrington
  • Parklife, Manchester
  • Right to Roam, Bolton
  • Sounds Of The Other City, Salford
  • Sound City Liverpool
  • TramLines, Sheffield

Inspirational Venue of the Year (under 500), Sponsored by Skiddle

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  • Brudenell Social Club – Leeds
  • Future Yard – Birkenhead
  • Night and Day – Manchester
  • Trades – Hebden Bridge
  • Yes – Manchester

Inspirational Venue of the Year (under 2,000), Sponsored by Skiddle

  • Albert Hall – Manchester
  • Band on the Wall – Manchester
  • Barbican – York
  • City Hall – Newcastle
  • New Century Hall – Manchester

Music Moment of the Year, Sponsored by Raymond Weil

TBA on the night

Industry Icon, Sponsored by Tysers Live

Michael Adex, NQ

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Music and Culture for Wellbeing Award, Supported by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority

TBA on the night

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A big party in the park is coming to Poynton and an iconic disco group is headlining

Danny Jones Danny Jones Poynton in the Park music festival 2024

Poyton’s Party in the Park is back for 2024 and has an announced legendary disco act as their biggest headliner ever.

Marking the 20th anniversary of the cult favourite event, the old Cheshire town which neighbours the likes of Stockport and Macclesfield is hosting its biggest party to date at Poynton Park this summer in partnership with the local Rotary Club, promising a jam-packed day of live music and more.

Confirming classic New York disco group and vocal trio Odyssey and the main event, with millions of records sold worldwide and some of the most iconic tracks of the 1970s and 80s to their name, this little one-day festival is set for a massive year.

Better still, as a fundamentally not-for-profit event raising money for local charities and community groups, you can party all day and all night whilst doing your bit for a good cause.

poynton in the park tickets 2024
They’re best known for tracks like ‘Native New Yorker’ and former ‘Use it Up & Wear it Out’ (Credit: Supplied)

Alongside Odyssey, the lineup for Poynton’s Party in the Park 2024 includes critically acclaimed cover bands like The Soul Providers and Soulvation Band, performing some of the greatest soul, funk, Motown and disco hits of the 1960s.

There’s plenty of local talent from around the North West on show too, such as Manchester singer-songwriter Imogen Paige, Liverpool-based indie band The Garnetts and, returning due to popular demand, Party in the Park favourites and Poynton’s very own Monkey Harris Band.

Great name and an even greater stage presence.

They’re the stuff of legend around the local area, regularly playing the likes of the Poynton Beer Festival and this is by no means their first turn around the park.

This year’s Party in the Park is being put on by local festival organiser and Hale Barns Carnival creator, Max Eden, working alongside Poynton Rotary – who founded the event two decades ago – to deliver what they’re calling a “refreshed and updated event for all the family to enjoy”.

The one-day festival also promises to feature lots of new and exciting additions for 2024 including traditional funfair rides for all ages, alongside an extended showcase of the amazing local food and drink, as well as a new VIP area offering premium seats, table service and exclusive meet and greets.

Local station Happy Radio UK will also be covering the event as the official radio partner, broadcasting in Greater Manchester, Cheshire and across various other parts of the North West, with well-known presenters like Steve Penk, Darren Proctor and Chelsea Norris all set to be involved.

Speaking ahead of the fundraising festival, Odyssey lead singer Steven Collazo said: “We’re so excited to be headlining Poynton Party in the Park this June. We’ve heard you guys know how to party and we can’t wait to get our groove on with y’all!”

name of music festival in poynton
concert poynton park 2024
Credit: Supplied

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As for organiser Max Eden, he added: “I’m thrilled to be working with Poynton Rotary this year to stage the biggest Poynton Party in the Park to date.

“We have an incredible headliner alongside outstanding local musicians and performers, amazing family attractions and the best food and drink from the local area – it’s the perfect lineup for a really good party!

“We hope to raise vital funds for Poynton Rotary to enable them to continue the incredible work they do locally in supporting charities and community groups in our area.”

Party in the Park starts at 1pm on Saturday, 8 June with tickets starting from £28.50 for adults and just £15 for 5-16s – not to mention kids four and under going completely free. You can grab your general admission, or VIP passes if you’re feeling a bit posh, right HERE.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Image — Supplied

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Manchester’s Co-op Live arena postpones The Black Keys and Peter Kay (again)

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Co-op Live postpone The Black Keys and Peter Kay gigs again

The Co-op Live has announced it is postponing both The Black Keys gig and Peter Kay’s performance.

Both shows were set to take place this week as the huge arena finally opens in Manchester.

This is the second time Peter Kay has been rescheduled – the show was meant to officially open the venue earlier this week.

Co-op Live went ahead with a test event with Rick Astley last Saturday, albeit with a capacity that was reduced at the eleventh hour.

But the huge venue was hit with ‘power supply issues’ and took the ‘difficult decision’ to postpone Peter Kay.

It’s now gone one step further and pushed back The Black Keys – meant to be their first proper live music event – as well as Peter Kay AGAIN.

In a statement shared today, the Co-op Live said it has been ‘undertaking an extensive protocol of testing critical procedures to ensure all areas are ready for fans’.

It said that the shows are being rescheduled to ensure they can ‘run safely’.

The 23,500-capacity arena said this will give them ‘the extra time we need to continue testing enhanced emergency communications thoroughly’.

The Black Keys will now perform on 15 May, and Peter Kay on 23 and 24 May.

As for the Bolton-born comedian, he sounds somewhat in disbelief himself:

The legendary British stand-up

Co-op Live’s statement reads: “Since making the difficult decision to postpone the live shows at Co-op Live due to take place this week, we have been undertaking an extensive protocol of testing critical procedures to ensure all areas are ready for fans.

“To ensure that we can run all shows safely, regretfully we have now had to take the decision to reschedule the planned The Black Keys and Peter Kay shows.

“Both The Black Keys and Peter Kay have graciously agreed to reschedule their shows. The Black Keys will now perform on 15 May 2024, and Peter Kay will now perform on 23 and 24 May 2024.

“All tickets remain valid and ticket holders will be contacted by their point of purchase. Refunds will be available for those who can no longer attend.

“We deeply appreciate the impact this will have on excited fans, and sincerely apologise for the inconvenience that this change will undoubtedly cause.

“Rescheduling Peter Kay and The Black Keys will give us the extra time we need to continue testing enhanced emergency communications thoroughly.

“This is vital to satisfy the rigorous set of guidelines and protocols that are necessary for a venue of this size to ensure that our fans, artists and staff have the safest experience possible.”

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Press Images/The Manc Group

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