Manchester's Lisa Stansfield Announced as 'Northern Icon' at Upcoming Northern Music Awards

The Northern Music Awards is set to recognize the talents of the North with a night of accolades and live performances. At the forefront, Manchester's own Lisa Stansfield will be celebrated as the 'Northern Icon'. Fans remember her for classic tracks like 'All Around the World' and 'People Hold On'. The prestigious event will take place at Albert Hall on April 23, with an impressive line-up of artists ready to take the stage.

A Star-studded Inaugural Event

The awards show, also featuring a performance from Lisa Stansfield, promises exciting acts including Liam Fray of Courteeners and indie hip hop sensation Antony Szmierek. Others set to perform are English Teacher, a band hailing from Leeds, and The K's from Warrington. Tickets for the awards night are currently available for purchase.

Celebrating the Rich Musical Heritage of the North

Nordoff and Robbins Northern Music Awards have set out to both celebrate the North's diverse music scene and honor various artists and industry leaders. Special acknowledgements will be presented, such as the Special Recognition award to Melanie C of Spice Girls fame, and the Industry Icon Award to Michael Adex, known for managing Manchester-based talent at NQ agency.

Lisa Stansfield expressed her gratitude for being named Northern Icon, highlighting her love for Manchester and her dedication to using music as a transformative tool in therapy. Liam Fray shared similar sentiments, emphasizing the importance of celebrating Northern talent and supporting Nordoff and Robbins' music therapy initiatives.

Nominations Reveal a Host of Talented Acts

The exciting nomination list for the awards features artists such as Sam Fender, Self Esteem, and Louis Tomlinson all in contention for Artist of the Year. For Band of the Year, contenders include Courteeners, Blossoms, and Bring Me the Horizon, while various music festivals and venues are also up for recognition.

The event, set to be an annual occurrence, will travel to different Northern cities each year, aiming to fundraise for a new music therapy center in Greater Manchester. With an award designed by British artist Thomas Wolski, the inaugural ceremony seeks to shine a spotlight on both prominent and emerging musicians from the North.

Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, endorsed the event, underscoring the unique and influential musical culture of the North that warrants celebration.

Manchester, Music, Awards