The 20 longlisted festivals for the Favourite Festival of the Year award at the inaugural Nordoff and Robbins Northern Music Awards (NMAs) have been announced.
Some of the biggest music events from across the north of England have been selected, with The Manc’s audience completing the list this week.
Among those up for the title are huge names like Kendal Calling, Leeds Festival, Parklife, Creamfields North and Bluedot, plus smaller locally-loved festivals such as Highest Point and Moovin Festival.
After 19 festivals were selected by the NMA’s panel of music industry professionals judges, it was over to you to pick the 20th.
And we can now reveal that you’ve clubbed together to nominate Right to Roam festival in Bolton to complete the Festival of the Year Award shortlist.
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You can cast your vote below to choose the overall winner of the award.
The Nordoff and Robbins Northern Music Awards will be the first of its kind to celebrate the northern music scene, and will take place on 30 November at Aviva Studios, the home of world-renowned Factory International.
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The performance-packed show, headlined by Special Recognition Award winner Melanie C, will kickstart a new chapter in celebrating diverse talent from the North of England, year after year. Tickets will be on sale soon – sign up for early bird access.
After the inaugural event, the awards will be hosted in a different northern city every year and will continue to recognise the breadth of musical talent across the north of England.
The Northern Music Awards have been created by the UK’s largest music therapy charity Nordoff and Robbins, to raise awareness of their transformative work and fundraise for more music therapy provision throughout the region, including the opening of a new dedicated music therapy centre which will open next year, in Salford.
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Awards categories range from Newcomer of the Year to Artist of the Year, Band of the Year, DJ of the Year, Disruptor and the Northern Music Award.
A special Music and Culture for Wellbeing award will showcase outstanding and innovative creative arts provision in the North, that uses music and culture to support and connect with people that face health, wellbeing and socio-economic challenges.
We here at The Manc will be proud sponsors of the Favourite Festival of the Year category.
Kristen MacGregor-Houlston, head of brand partnerships at The Manc, said: “We at The Manc are incredibly excited and proud to be sponsoring the Favourite Festival award at the Northern Music Awards.
“It is a fantastic opportunity to really champion the awesome festivals we have across the North of England. We have always been proud supporters of Northern music talent and events and we are thrilled that Nordoff and Robbins are bringing these awards to Manchester in November.”
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Jamiroquai announce huge gig at impressive venue next year in Manchester
Danny Jones
Jamiroquai has announced a massive Manchester gig as part of their huge UK and European tour – and yes, for the last time, it’s a band not just one bloke.
Yes, big hat man and his troupe are returning to Manchester for one night only and no we’re not talking about Santa: it’s big JQ – or Jay Kay to his friends – the 90s and noughties hit-maker with the best moves this side of the Mersey and irresistible funk that never fails to make you dance around the kitchen.
After six whole years away from full headline touring, the London-formed band with very Manc ties are set to play 14 dates across here at home and on the continent, with the music veterans landing none other than a Co-op Live debut for their Manchester date.
32 years on from playing pubs and clubs around the country and after being away for more than half a decade you might say that still having this kind of pulling power is ‘Virtual Insanity’. Had to be done…
Known for other much-loved hits like ‘Space Cowboy’, ‘Cosmic Girl’, ‘You Give Me Something’ and many more, Jamiroquai was formed by the Stretford-born frontman (real name Jason Luís Cheetham) back in 1992, with their breakout album Emergency on Planet Earth releasing a year later to great success.
The acid jazz and funk experts need no introduction really but we’ll give them one anyway. 15 Brit Award nominations, two Guinness World Records, a Grammy, more than 1.7 billion Spotify streams and counting, not to mention the single greatest collection of headwear known to man.
Sending a message to their fans on social media, the band wrote: “One Man’s mission, for 30 years and counting, to put groove music into YOUR LIFE.
“Will you join us in the fight to Let The Disco Stay The Same – to conquer all your inner fears and boogie like NEVER before? DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES to heal the world through MUSIC?
“DO YOU HAVE…. THE HEELS OF STEEL!” Ever a flare for the theatrical, eh?
‘The Heels of Steel’ tour kicks off this time next year, with a first night in Barcelona on 6 November kicking a two-month-long party into gear.
Jamiroquai doesn’t make it to Manchester and the Co-op Live arena until 6 December 2025, but we’re already getting our dancing shoes at the ready.
Pre-sale can be accessed from 9am on Wednesday byregistering on the band’s website and general admission tickets go on sale this Friday, 22 November at the same time.
You can grab yours HERE and we’ll see you out on the dancefloor.
Featured Images — Midori Tsukagoshi (supplied)/The Manc Group
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Katy Perry announces massive gig in Manchester next year
Thomas Melia
Pop chart-topper and overall legend Katy Perry is stopping off in Manchester as part of her new EU and UK tour dates.
The Roar singer will be heading to the AO Arena next October, alongside shows in Sheffield, Glasgow, Birmingham and London, with tickets on sale later this week.
Whether you’re going to watch hits like ‘California Gurls’, ‘Hot ‘N’ Cold’ or excited for the newer tracks like ‘I’m His, He’s Mine’, one thing is for certain you’ll have to ‘Swish Swish’ past a lot of people for these in-demand tickets.
In a new video uploaded to her social media channels, holding a Union Jack flag with a mini microphone attached to it, Katy Perry has revealed she can’t wait to ‘share a cuppa’ with us. We’ve already got the kettle brewing.
There’s a real connection between the former American Idol judge and our beautiful country, with her performing at Buckingham Palace for the Coronation Concert in 2023 and more recently bringing an exclusive ‘A Night Of A Lifetime’ show to ITV this winter.
Perry has the second most Diamond-certified singles in for a female artist in the U.S, four guiness world records and five UK number one hits.
Her latest album ‘143’, which is a numeric synonym of ‘I love you’ and the singer’s angel number, came out mid-September featuring three standout singles, ‘Woman’s World’, ‘Lifetimes and the aforementioned ‘I’m His, He’s Mine’, a collaboration with upcoming rapper Doechii.
The American performer hasn’t had it easy with the rollout of her seventh studio album coming under fire for working with controversial record producer Dr. Luke.
In 2014, the American producer was part of a nine year long court case with musician Kesha which has now reached an agreement, however Luke is still heavily involved with the music industry working on songs with artists like Nicki Minaj, Doja Cat and Kim Petras.
This tour is a poignant one as the global superstar is set to donate £1 from every ticket to Music Venue Trust which will be distributed to UK grassroots music venues.
After a sensational and career-defining Vegas residency titled ‘PLAY’ which featured a giant toilet as stage decorum, it’s no surprise that this run of UK shows are set to be just as captivating and outrageous.
Katy Perry is bringing ‘The Lifetimes Tour’ to Manchester’s AO Arena on October with pre-sale tickets going live on 20 November and general onsale on 22 November HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
15th August 2023 
