The UK’s largest music therapy charity, Nordoff and Robbins, has announced the line-up for the second Northern Music Awards sponsored by Ticketmaster and Live Nation, to be held in Liverpool on 27 March.

Ian Broudie, legendary singer, songwriter, producer and frontman of indie-pop royalty, Lightning Seeds, will be honoured with the prestigious Special Recognition Award sponsored by SJM Concerts at the event, and the band will be taking to the stage for a special live performance.

The line-up will also include Stockport-bred indie-pop band, Blossoms, Liverpudlian indie-rockers The Zutons, Liverpool’s rising romantic rock star Luvcat and – at the forefront of Hull’s rap scene – Chiedu Oraka.

Taking place this year at the Liverpool Olympia, the Northern Music Awards sponsored by Ticketmaster and Live Nation honours the very best artists, festivals, venues and industry figures from across the North. Held for the first time in Manchester in April 2024, the Northern Music Awards are the only awards set up specifically to recognise and celebrate the breadth of musical talent across the North of England.

Hosted by BBC Radio 6 Music presenter Chris Hawkins, with specially commissioned awards designed by contemporary British artist Thomas Wolski, the Northern Music Awards take place in a different Northern city every year to ensure every corner of the region is celebrated.

Money raised from the event will go towards increasing Nordoff and Robbins’ music therapy provision in the North of England, using music as a creative health intervention to enhance connection, reduce social isolation, and improve mental health and well-being for diverse local communities across the region.

Winner of the 2025 Northern Music Awards Special Recognition Award sponsored by SJM Concerts, Ian Broudie,  formed the Lightning Seeds in 1989 and enjoyed prolific success with a string of hits throughout the ’90s and beyond, including  ‘The Life of Riley’,  ‘Lucky You’,  ‘Three Lions’ and ‘Pure’.

Ian says: “It’s a huge honour to receive this award, particularly in the year that the Northern Music Awards comes to Liverpool, a city I’m very proud to call my hometown. I’m excited to perform at the Liverpool Olympia and to celebrate the immense talent that we continue to see thriving in the North.

“The feeling and emotion that we all get from music is incredibly powerful, and you see that so clearly in the life-changing music therapy that Nordoff and Robbins delivers, so I’m very proud to be raising funds for their work to help people connect and communicate across society.”

As well as celebrating the North’s incredible artists, the Northern Music Awards recognise outstanding live music events in the region, that provide a platform for diverse talent to perform. The Festival of the Year shortlist for the 2025 Northern Music Awards is:

• Kendal Calling (Lake District)
• Tramlines (Sheffield)
• Neighbourhood (Manchester)
• TK Maxx presents Lytham Festival (Lytham Saint Annes)
• Parklife (Manchester)
• Sound City (Liverpool)

A total of 16 awards will be given out on the night, including – new for 2025 – Album of the Year and Industry Rising Star:

• The Northern Music Award 2025, sponsored by Live Nation
• Special Recognition Award, sponsored by SJM Concerts
• Artist of the Year, sponsored by Ticketmaster
• Band of the Year, sponsored by ASM Global
• Album of the Year
• Music Moment of the Year, sponsored by American Express
• Disruptor in Music
• Newcomer of the Year
• Breakthrough Act of the Year
• DJ of the Year
• Music and Culture for Wellbeing
• Festival of the Year, voted for by readers of The Guide Liverpool
• Inspirational Venue of the Year Under 2,000 Capacity, sponsored by Seat Unique
• Inspirational Venue of the Year Over 2,000 Capacity, sponsored by Seat Unique
• Industry Icon, sponsored by Tysers Live
• Industry Rising Star

Nordoff and Robbins provides essential music therapy for those living with dementia, autism, learning difficulties, brain injuries, life-limiting illnesses, mental health issues, grief and trauma. The North of England is Nordoff and Robbins’ largest service area, with 55 music therapists and 164 partner organisations providing over 23,500 music therapy sessions in 2024, transforming the lives of more than 6,500 people in the region.

Sandra Schembri, CEO, Nordoff and Robbins, adds: “We’re beyond thrilled to announce the spectacular performance lineup for this year’s Northern Music Awards. The North’s music scene is a vibrant, diverse force, and these artists are shining examples of the exceptional talent that continues to emerge from the region. From iconic names to rising stars, this is going to be a celebration of everything that makes Northern music so special and we can’t wait to celebrate in Liverpool, a city with a rich musical heritage that is admired around the world.

“Not only are we looking forward to honouring brilliant musicians and industry talent at this year’s Northern Music Awards, but we’re also raising vital funds to support our music therapy work. With costs rising and demand for our services increasing, every pound raised at the event will help us deliver more transformational music therapy sessions to people across the North, from care homes to hospitals and schools to community centres. Music truly has the power to change lives.”

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