The longlisted nominations for the Nordoff and Robbins Northern Music Awards’ Festival of the Year have been announced – and it’s up to The Manc’s audience to complete the list.
A panel of esteemed judges have picked out 19 festivals that stood out from the crowd, whether it’s for their line-ups, their charitable missions, their commitment to the environment or their value for money.
But the 20th slot remains open, and the Northern Music Awards is asking The Manc audience to nominate their favourite festival ahead of the awards themselves in November.
The form to submit your favourite festival for consideration is at the bottom of this article.
The Manc has been announced as the sponsor for the Festival of the Year category, and we’re delighted to help champion this brilliant format of live music.
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There’s nothing like the joy of a festival, whether it’s a small family-friendly affair or a star-studded line-up with parties running into the early hours.
Festivals already selected – and the 20th nominee still to be chosen – all demonstrate incredible creative direction, atmosphere, reputation and brand.
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Those already on the list include festivals around Greater Manchester like Highest Point, Bluedot, and Parklife, huge events near Leeds including Leeds Festival and Long Division Wakefield, and Sheffield favourites like Tramlines and Get Together.
Parklife festival. Credit: The Manc Group
The Northern Music Awards themselves will be the first of its kind to celebrate the northern music scene, and will take place at Aviva Studios (formerly known as Factory International) on Thursday 30 November.
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.
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The Northern Music Awards have been created by music charity Nordoff and Robbins, with money raised from tickets going back to help fund the opening of a new dedicated music therapy centre, based 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 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 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.
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“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.”
The festivals already nominated for Festival of the Year at the Northern Music Awards
Beatherder Lancashire
Bluedot Cheshire
Confessional Blackburn
Creamfields North
Deer Shed Yorkshire
Get Together Sheffield
Highest Point Lancaster
Kendal Calling Cumbria
Leeds Festival
Lindisfarne Festival Northumberland
Long Division Wakefield
Lytham Festival
Manchester Pride
Moovin Stockport
Neighborhood Warrington
Parklife Manchester
Sounds from the Other City Salford
Sound City Liverpool
TramLines Sheffield
Cast your vote here:
Featured image: Lucas Sinclair
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Manchester band Westside Cowboy release ‘thrilling’ debut album that critics are calling one of the year’s best
Emily Sergeant
One of the UK’s best rising bands have released their debut album today to glowing reviews from critics and fans alike.
Jimmy Bradbury, Reuben Haycocks, Aoife Anson O’Connell, and Paddy Murphy – better known together as Westside Cowboy – formed back in 2023 when they were students at the Royal Northern College of Music, so while they may not all be from Manchester, they definitely have the spirit of our city at the heart of everything they do.
After playing in different bands across the city throughout their student years, the four-piece joined forces to create Westside Cowboy – an indie rock collective credited with self-coining the genre of ‘Britainicana’.
Put simply, Britainicana is a cultural concept that mixes the hazy, mythic feel of American country and folk, with the sound of raw British punk, indie rock, and small-town life.
Westside Cowboy have released their debut album, It Goes On / Credit: Clementine Schniedermann (Press Shots – Supplied)
If that sounds like your cup of tea, then you’ll be pleased to know that Westside Cowboy have released their debut album, It Goes On, to the world today (21 August).
And the reception from critics, arguably, couldn’t be better.
Prior to the release of their debut album, the band had released two EPs, including So Much Country ‘Till We Get There in January earlier this year, and had started to make a name for themselves with their popular debut single ‘I’ve Never Met Anyone I Thought I Could Really Love (Until I Met You)’ in 2024.
They went onto make even further waves when they supported equally-rising American rock band Geese on their UK and Irish tour back in March – with many fans calling it one of the best support and main act combinations in some time.
Three singles from their debut album were shared with the world ahead of its release – ‘Kick Stones (The Boys)’ came first, followed by ‘Pin Up Boys’ and ‘Dobro’.
So, it’s fair to say the anticipation for album was high… and if the reviews are anything to go by (which we think they are), it looks like the band has very much delivered what they set out to achieve.
Westside Cowboy’s debut album It Goes On is now available to stream, or you can purchase a physical copy in a range of formats from their website here.
Take a listen👇
Featured Image – Press Shot (Supplied)
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BBC Introducing LIVE is back with events across the North for grassroots music artists
Emily Sergeant
BBC Introducing’s flagship live event will return with a huge lineup of activities for aspiring musicians and music creators this autumn.
To celebrate and champion undiscovered talent across the country, BBC Introducing LIVE will include an array of live performances, immersive workshops, educational panels, and networking opportunities for grassroots artists, DJs, and music creators, all at the start of their careers.
Introducing LIVE will head across the UK, including hosting four special gigs in Leeds and a songwriting camp in Manchester.
The BBC Introducing Songwriting Camp is an invite-only event offering an ‘unparalleled’ experience for artists and creatives to develop skills and collaborate with industry professionals in a real music studio.
Then, on Saturday 28 November, BBC Introducing will host four showcases across Leeds, celebrating some of the best new music from across the UK – with independent music venues The Wardrobe, Belgrave Music Hall, and Oporto all taking part.
While up in Sunderland, following the success of BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend there earlier this year, a special takeover event will take place at The Fire Station – with a day of panels, workshops, open mics, and an industry feedback centre planned, all designed to support and inspire the next generation of musicians and music industry professionals.
Other northern cities hosting events during this year’s programme are Gateshead, and major music city Liverpool.
Many successful artists, including the North’s very-own Sam Fender, as well as big names like Ed Sheeran, Raye, Olivia Dean, and Loyle Carner, all began their careers with support from BBC Introducing.
“Championing and nurturing artists and creatives is at heart of everything BBC Introducing does, and so I’m excited that Introducing LIVE will be returning in November for our biggest year yet,” commented Kelly Betts, who is the Editor of BBC Introducing.
“BBC Introducing will be at events, panels, and gigs across the UK giving emerging talent the opportunity to learn from industry experts, make music and connect with fellow artists.
“Music has the power to unite, inspire, and shape our culture and BBC Introducing’s flagship event will help some of the UK’s rising stars on their journey to achieve this.”
Daisy Jackson -
25th July 2023 
