The Nordoff and Robbins Northern Music Awards have announced the winner of the inaugural Industry Icon Award as Michael Adex, the man who helped to launch Aitch’s career.
The news comes as the shortlist for Inspirational Venue of the Year is also announced – featuring some iconic venues from Manchester as well as other cities and towns in the north of England – and as nominations for the Festival of the Year remain open.
Michael Adex, founder and CEO of Manchester-based talent management company NQ, is the first-ever winner in the Nordoff and Robbins Northern Music Awards, launched this year to champion the breadth of musical talent across the north of England.
The inaugural awards ceremony, supported by Ticketmaster, will take place right here in Manchester on 30 November, at Aviva Studios (formerly known as Factory International), before moving to a different northern city each year.
Melanie C has been announced to perform and to receive a Special Recognition award.
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The awards will raise money to help fund the opening of a new Nordoff and Robbins dedicated music therapy centre in Salford.
Awards categories range from Newcomer of the Year to Artist of the Year, Band of the Year, DJ of the Year, Maverick in Music, and Festival Of the Year (you can still nominate your favourite with The Manc here).
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Michael has been recognised for his tireless work to showcase emerging musical talent from the north, including, of course, Moston-born BRIT-award winning rapper Aitch.
NQ’s management, label, and publishing arms have surpassed three billion streams and eight platinum certifications since Michael founded the company from his bedroom in 2017.
He went on to create NQ Legacy, a not-for-profit helping young creatives from The North to explore careers in music and the creative arts sectors.
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Northern Music Award Industry Icon 2023 winner, Michael Adex, said: “It is a great feeling to be recognised by the Northern Music Awards as their first Industry Icon. There is so much amazing, diverse talent in the North and I’m proud that NQ is playing a part in letting the world know about it.
Michael Adex has received the inaugural Industry Icon award in the Northern Music Awards. Credit: SuppliedAitch. Credit: Publicity picture
“The North massively deserves to have its own awards show to highlight the rich heritage and wealth of musical creativity that comes from here. Nordoff and Robbins has created a long-term legacy with the Northern Music Awards to bring more music therapy to isolated communities, this is inspirational, and I am excited for their new centre to open in Salford.”
Nadra Shah, director of engagement and communications, Nordoff and Robbins said: “We are thrilled to honour Michael Adex for his enormous contribution to the success of so much thriving musical talent emerging from the North. Fundamental to the success of Michael’s artists – including the multi-award-winning Aitch – is their ability to connect with their audience.
“Our aim is 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. We are immensely proud of the work we do in the North, next year we will be celebrating 20 years since we started delivering music therapy in Manchester.”
Also announced today is the shortlist for Inspirational Venue of the Year, across two different venue capacity categories, sponsored by Skiddle.
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Those nominated in Manchester include YES, Night & Day Cafe, and Band on the Wall.
Inspirational Venue of the Year (under 500)
Brundenell Social Club – Leeds
Future Yard – Birkenhead
Night and Day – Manchester
Trades – Hebden Bridge
Yes – Manchester
Inspirational Venue of the Year (Under 2,000)
Albert Hall – Manchester
Band on the Wall – Manchester
Barbican – York
City Hall – Newcastle
New Century Hall – Manchester
Jamie Scahill, head of marketing at Skiddle, said: “Skiddle is incredibly proud to be supporting the inaugural Northern Music Awards and sponsoring the Inspirational Venue of the Year award. The grassroots venues of the North deserve to be recognised as they underpin the Northern music scene and culture.
“Skiddle was conceived in an independent venue in Preston 22 years ago and we have been supporting them ever since. We are grateful that Nordoff and Robbins are coming up North and we look forward to working with them for years to come.”
Nordoff and Robbins will be sharing half of the proceeds from Skiddle’s sponsorship of these award categories with registered charity Music Venue Trust.
Beverley Whitrick, chief operating officer, Music Venue Trust said: “Music Venue Trust is delighted to see Nordoff and Robbins celebrate the vibrancy of the music scene in Northern England with these new awards. The inclusion of the Inspirational Venue category, which acknowledges the importance of grassroots music venues to artists and audiences, is wonderful to see and MVT is thrilled to have been invited to be part of this by Nordoff and Robbins.”
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The NMA judging panel has also selected 19 events for the Favourite Festival of the Year award shortlist, including Liverpool’s Sound City, Cheshire’s Blue Dot, Yorkshire’s Deer Shed, Stockport’s Moovin and Lancaster’s Highest Point, with the 20th to be decided by audiences from The Manc, The Hoot and The Sheff.
Premium tables for the awards themselves will be available to book in advance – to register your interest, please contact the Nordoff and Robbins team here.
Featured image: Supplied
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Nao at New Century, Manchester – A room full of 1,000 ‘Happy People’
Thomas Melia
Attending a Nao gig is worth waiting ‘Another Lifetime’ for… especially when she performs directly from the venue’s bar.
As someone who has followed this artist for quite a few years, finally getting to see her do what she does best on stage and not through a screen is immense.
Last time she stopped off in Manchester she graced Albert Hall,this time she’s opted for another historic venue, New Century.Nao clearly knows how to choose her venues wisely.
Recently, the Nottingham star released her album Jupiter. So recent in fact, that it only reached our ears two weeks ago. The Manchester crowd certainly did their homework, knowing every lyric off by heart.
The first taste of this LP skyrocketed into our ears in October when the singer-songwriter dropped ‘Wildflowers’, so it’s only fitting this marks the opening of this setlist.
This single’s accompanying music video saw her swarmed in a field of red-hue wild grass and it’s made its way to our vibrant city, decorating the Manchester stage.
Credit: The Manc Group
To follow this, she plays two tracks both taken from her other planetary project Saturn. ‘If You Ever’ is a great fire-starter ahead of a cracking night of live music.
It’s almost like someone flips a switch as the audience immediately understands the assignment, feeling every rhythm in their body, rapping The Lumineers name-dropping ‘Make It Out Alive’ verbatim.
Credit: The Manc Group
Four songs in and ‘Happy People’ gets a turn at exciting the crowd. This uplifting and guitar-plucking number is one you can’t help but move to and New Century proves just that.
Nao’s personality flutters over the wild grass adorning the stage and radiates into the flurry of fans. One of these fans has travelled all the way from Portugal and ‘Tommy’, the Manchester legend, who’s attended every city centre tour date, both of which Nao pointed out.
When the 37-year-old star sings her two Mura Masa produced bangers, that bouncy floor at New Century isn’t ready for what’s about to unfold.
Initiating the two-track ensemble the “Woa woa woa woa woa” filled, ‘Complicated’, excites and emits an electric energy, definitely helped by Nao’s necessary yet unexpected dance break.
Credit: The Manc Group
With the second anthemic instalment of the night ‘Firefly’, Nao sings, “Just say you’ll be my firefly” and with vocals this hypnotic, the crowd would do anything she asked of them.
An encore usually means giving a three minute rendition of your biggest hit. Well for Nao this isn’t enough. Instead she takes things one step further, climbing onto the venue’s bar for a stripped back version of ‘Another Lifetime’ and after those vocals my legs were liquid jelly.
Ending the night on even more of a high, Nao sings ‘Drive and Disconnect’ a standout in her discography and a much-loved track, proved by the fact she brings fans on stage to close the night with her.
Credit: The Manc Group
Don’t meet your idols, they say, but when your idol is even better live than on her studio recordings, it’s hard to stay away. Thank you Nao for blessing Manchester once again and me for the very first time.
Gracie Abrams at Co-op Live, Manchester – a night of raw emotion
Dec Kelly
Gracie Abrams’ ‘The Secret of Us’ tour is more than just a concert – it’s a raw, emotive journey through the heart of her music.
From the moment she steps onto the Co-op Live stage in Manchester, Gracie Abrams commands the room with an aura of vulnerability, wearing a shimmering silver sequined dress that mirrors her own luminous energy.
The simplicity of the stage setup – just her, her band, and a microphone – lets the music take centre stage, free from distractions.
The UK leg of the tour is a testament to Gracie’s growth as an artist. Each song feels like an intimate conversation, with Gracie sharing her innermost thoughts through poetic lyrics and hauntingly beautiful vocals.
In an era when pop music can feel superficial, Gracie’s authenticity stands out, making her more than just another pop star – she’s an artist with a story to tell.
As the crowd sings along, it’s impossible to ignore the sea of teenage girls, many of them wearing bows in their hair, all passionately shouting and singing along to lyrics about heartbreak and longing.
It’s as if the collective voice of the crowd is woven into Gracie’s own, amplifying the depth of each song’s emotion.
The connection between Gracie and her fans is palpable – her music serves as a soundtrack to their shared experiences, a bond that makes every lyric feel personal and every note resonate deep within.
Gracie’s candid performance style draws the audience in even further, as she opens up about her songwriting process and the emotions behind her music.
This transparency transforms the show from a performance into a shared experience. It feels less like you’re watching an artist perform and more like you’re navigating life’s highs and lows together.
Gracie Abrams at the Co-op Live in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
When she takes a seat at the piano for ‘I Gave You I Gave You’, the emotion in her voice is undeniable. The stripped-back setting only amplifies the intensity, making the moment feel incredibly intimate. The crowd is spellbound, feeling like they’re witnessing something deeply personal.
Gracie’s influences are clear, particularly from pop sensation Taylor Swift. Like Swift, Gracie has cultivated a deeply personal connection with her fans. During the show, she delighted the crowd by performing ‘Block Me Out’, a song she wrote years ago, offering a glimpse into her evolution as an artist.
Gracie also pays tribute to Taylor Swift by performing ‘Us’, a track on which Swift herself features.
This moment of homage sparks an intriguing question: has Taylor Swift become the “godmother” of this new wave of pop artists, like Gracie and Sabrina Carpenter? Whether by design or not, it’s undeniable that Taylor’s influence has shaped their artistry, leaving an indelible mark on the way they create and connect with their audiences.
One of the night’s highlights is Gracie’s connection with the audience. She FaceTimes a fan’s friend, Monica, during the show, adding a personal touch that makes the concert feel like an intimate gathering.
Her playful sense of humor shines through as she jokes with fans about bows, showcasing her warmth and relatability.
While the night is emotionally anchored by slower, melancholic tracks, a shift in tone could’ve provided a welcome break.
Nevertheless, Gracie’s ability to hold the audience’s attention with her heartfelt delivery is unmatched.
Her upbeat songs, like ‘That’s so true’ bring the crowd to life, but it’s the slower, introspective moments that truly define the night.
The tour had its challenges, with the cancellation of shows in Leeds and Nottingham, leaving some fans disappointed. However, Gracie and her team ensured the spirit of the tour remained intact.
In both cities, the opening act, Dora Jar, performed intimate gigs, giving fans a chance to experience something special. This thoughtful gesture reinforced the strong connection Gracie fosters with her audience.
Despite a few setbacks, it’s clear that Gracie Abrams and her team are fully dedicated to their craft.
Her authenticity, charm, and emotional depth make this tour an unforgettable experience – one that will resonate long after the final note fades.
With a passionate fan base and a future filled with promise, Gracie Abrams is an artist whose music will continue to speak to the soul for years to come.
Daisy Jackson -
10th August 2023 
