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The Northern Music Awards has been launched by Nordoff & Robbins, supported by Ticketmaster and will this year bestow their Special Recognition award to Spice Girl Melanie C for her outstanding contribution to music.

The singer songwriter, also known as Sporty Spice, will be performing at the ceremony, delving into her extensive back catalogue in which she has co-written more UK number ones (11) than any other female artist in chart history.

Taking place on Thursday, November 30th at Factory International’s new arts, music and culture space, the Northern Music Awards will also host a launch event tonight (April 20th) at Band On The Wall, featuring Antony Szmierek, Joash, The K’s and an acoustic set from The Mysterines.

Nordoff & Robbins is a music therapy charity and money raised from ticket sales for the November event will help fund the opening of a new dedicated music therapy centre for Greater Manchester. Tickets go on sale soon, with a pre-sale registration currently open.

Award categories include; Newcomer Of The Year, Artist Of The Year, Band Of The Year, DJ Of The Year, Maverick In Music and the Northern Music Award.

As well as artists, venues and festivals will have a spotlight shone on them, with small and large venues being recognised with their own categories, while a special Music & 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 in the region facing health, wellbeing and socio-economic challenges.

51������ are also delighted to announce that our Chief Marketing Officer Anna Gledson will be part of the awards panel, with the ceremony highlighting those in the industry that 51������ support through our own platform, aiming to bring together artists and venues. Over the last year alone over £1.5m has been generated for the live music economy through 51������ - a figure that is only going to get bigger with more artists and venues signing up on a daily basis.

The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham and City of Salford Mayor, Paul Dennett will lend their support to the awards too, with the ceremony moving to a different Northern city every Year.

BBC Radio 6 presenter Chris Hawkins will host the ceremony, saying of the awards, “The North provides such a rich source of incredible music. The diversity and international acclaim of this huge asset needs to be showcased, and that’s just what the Northern Music Awards can do.

“Music and celebration go hand in hand, and we all know celebration is good for the soul. The Awards will shine a light on extraordinary talent; from Salford to Newcastle, Liverpool to Bradford, Manchester to Sheffield and everywhere in between, all whilst inspiring the next generation of artists. It’s about giving the music community in the North a chance to celebrate them too.”

Nordoff & Robbins CEO Sandra Schembri added, “We see music as a superpower, so we’re incredibly excited to launch the Nordoff and Robbins Northern Music Awards supported by Ticketmaster in Manchester and can’t wait to honour such a broad range of talent – from artists to venues, festivals and those who’ve really made a difference with music - the event is going to be unmissable. The support of the public, artists and the wider music industry is absolutely vital - all the money raised from ticket sales will enable Nordoff and Robbins to help more people in the North to access music therapy through a fantastic new centre.

“Music therapy is the act of supporting people to connect and communicate through music who otherwise are unable to; such as those living with autism to dementia, learning difficulties to brain injuries, life-limiting illnesses to mental health issues, grief and trauma. We believe that everyone who needs it should have access to music therapy, because it can, quite simply, transform people’s lives.”

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