Nordoff and Robbins, the UK’s largest music therapy charity, is today announcing that indie superstar, Tim Burgess, will be honoured with the headline Northern Music Award 2024 at the inaugural Northern Music Awards and will be picking up his award in person at Manchester’s Albert Hall on Tuesday 23 April.

As well as recognising the breadth of artist talent across the North of England, theNorthern Music Awards supported by Ticketmaster and Live Nation celebrate the importance of live music, with voting now open for the winners of the Festival of the Year category. The shortlist – announced today - features Moovin (Stockport), Kendal Calling (Cumbria), Sounds From The Other City (Salford), TramLines (Sheffield) and Beat-Herder (Lancashire). Festival of the Year is the only publicly-voted award, via The Manc. Voting closes on Wednesday 27 March.

Rotherham’s indie-rock juggernauts The Reytons are also revealed as winners of the Disruptor in Music Award and the new shortlist for Music and Culture for Wellbeing highlights the power of music provision across the region.

The Worsley-born Charlatans front man, Tim Burgess, will be presented with the Northern Music Award 2024, sponsored by Live Nation. With five solo albums under his belt, as well as 13 with the indie rock band, Burgess has been a mainstay on the Northern music scene since 1990. More recently, his ingenious Listening Parties have brought people together with artists online to enjoy music together in a revolutionary way.

Off the back of a huge UK tour and a number one album, South Yorkshire’s The Reytons win Disruptor in Music, sponsored by Notion Magazine, and will also collect their award in person on the night.

A special Music and Culture for Wellbeing award, supported by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, highlights outstanding and innovative creative arts provision in the North. The shortlist, announced today, highlights projects that use music and culture to support and connect with people that face health, wellbeing, and socio-economic challenges: Barnsley Libraries - Biblio Beats Festival; DanceSyndrome – Everybody Dance, Lancashire; Kirklees Council - Kirklees Year of Music; Manchester Camerata – Music in Mind; Royal Liverpool Philharmonic - Music and Health Programme; Oyé Active Zone, Liverpool.

Live music lies at the heart of Nordoff and Robbins’ critical music therapy work. A unique approach shaped by more than 60 years of practice, Nordoff and Robbins' trained music therapists use the power of music to break through the barriers caused by life-limiting illness, disability and social isolation, creating space for people to express themselves and find connection in society. Funds raised from the Northern Music Awards will support Nordoff and Robbins’ vision to open a dedicated state of the art music therapy centre for Greater Manchester. The new centre in Salford will be a multi-disciplinary music making and therapy space, with interactive, accessible music technology throughout, serving the needs of individuals and diverse Northern communities.

Continuing to champion live music, 10 northern venues are in the running across two Inspirational Venue of the Year categories, sponsored by Skiddle. The award for under 500 capacity sees Brudenell Social Club in Leeds, Future Yard in Birkenhead, Trades in Hebden Bridge and Manchester’s Night and Day, andYes all shortlisted for the prize. The larger venues in the running for (under 2,000) are Albert Hall, Band on the Wall and New Century Hall – all in Manchester – along with Barbican in York and City Hall in Newcastle.

Public tickets for the award show, priced at £40, are on sale now at www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk/nmas. Premium package tickets are also available to book. The package includes access to both the industry and public awards, live performances, canapes, a two-course evening meal and an alcohol and non-alcohol drinks package. Tickets are £250 with packages available.

Tim Burgess said: “It’s incredible to be recognised with the inaugural Northern Music Award. Music is important on so many levels, and I’m a firm believer in the unique way that it can connect people. It means a lot to me to be able to support the great work of Nordoff and Robbins, who use music therapy to unlock life for some of the most vulnerable people in society – and through the funds raised by everyone coming along to the Northern Music Awards we’ll be opening up music therapy to even more people across the North.”

Nadra Shah, Director of Engagement and Communications, Nordoff and Robbins, said: “Music is powerful, it’s universal, it breaks down barriers and it allows us to communicate in ways that otherwise some may not be able to - it’s the heartbeat of our organisation. The Northern Music Awards is a chance for us to shine a light on those who work tirelessly to make sure live music is available and accessible throughout the North of England. We are excited to honour some of the industry’s much loved venues and festivals alongside an array of live performances and appearances from some of the most celebrated artists from the region.”

Sarah Slater, vice president – music and festivals, Ticketmaster UK, said: “We’re proud to be supporting the first ever Northern Music Awards and celebrating everyone who helps to bring live music to the north of England. It’s also an honour to be helping to raise funds for Nordoff and Robbins’ life-changing music therapy work, it has such an astoundingly positive impact for some of the most vulnerable people in society.”

The awards continue Nordoff and Robbins’ close partnerships with the UK music industry, developed since the creation of its annual Silver Clef music awards in 1976. The judging panel comprises industry heavyweights including Ticketmaster, SJM Concerts, Music Venue Trust, Live Nation, and Kendall Calling, as well asBBC Radio 6 Music presenter Chris Hawkins, who will host the April event. Each winner on the night will receive a specially commissioned award designed by contemporary British artist Thomas Wolski.