The first Northern Music Awards will honour Tim Burgess for his lifetime achievements at a glitzy event in Manchester.
The awards have been organised by Nordoff and Robbins, a charity that uses music therapy to help people break through the barriers caused by life-limiting illness, disability and social isolation.
There has been a lot of hype around the awards, which organisers have described as ‘The Brit Awards of the North’.
Tim Burgess on winning the award
The Worsley-born Charlatans frontman will be presented with the Northern Music Award 2024 at Manchester’s Albert Hall on Tuesday 23rd of April.
“It’s incredible to be recognised with the inaugural Northern Music Award,” said Tim.
“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.”
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.
It’s not the first honour Tim has received recently.
He also received a huge honour from Royal Northern College of Music last year for his musical contributions over the years.
What are the other awards for?
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 highlights projects that use music and culture to support and connect with people who 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.
Festival of the year
As well as recognising the breadth of artist talent across the north of England, the Northern Music Awards will celebrate the importance of live music, with voting now open for the winners of the Festival of the Year category.
The shortlist features Moovin (Stockport), Kendal Calling (Cumbria), Sounds from the Other City (Salford), TramLines (Sheffield) and Beat-herder (Lancashire).
The Reytons win Disruptor in Music Award
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.
Tickets for the event are available for £40 with premium packages also offered.
The awards aim to raise funds for Nordoff and Robbins to establish a new music therapy centre in Salford.
Find out more about the Nordoff and Robins Northern Music Award 2024 and get tickets by clicking here