Liverpool to host 2025 Nordoff and Robbins Northern Music Awards

The UK’s largest music therapy charity Nordoff and Robbins is today announcing Liverpool as the host city of the second Northern Music Awards supported by Ticketmaster and Live Nation.

The North’s very best artists, festivals, venues and industry figures will be celebrated at a performance packed ceremony hosted at the historic Liverpool Olympia on Thursday 27 March 2025.

The announcement will be made by Nordoff and Robbins at Manchester’s Beyond the Music global music conference and festival today, 10 October.

The Northern Music Awards, held for the first time in Manchester in April 2024, is the only show set up specifically to recognise and celebrate the breadth of talent across the North of England. They will be hosted by a different Northern city every year to ensure every corner of the region is celebrated for its musical talent. Money raised from the event will go towards increasing Nordoff and Robbins’ music therapy provision in the North of England, positively impacting local communities by using music as a creative health intervention to improve the health and wellbeing of local people.

16 awards will be given out on the night, and Nordoff and Robbins is thrilled to announce this year’s shortlist of six exciting northern artists for the Newcomer of the Year category:

Luvcat, alternative/indie band from Liverpool

Fronted by Sophie Morgan, Luvcat is a five-piece band which delivers theatrical and memorable stage performances. Following the release of their breakthrough single Matador, the band is currently supporting The Last Dinner Party on their European tour.

Pixey, singer-songwriter from Liverpool

Influenced by Britpop, Grimes and The Prodigy, Pixey began recording and releasing demos in 2016 before first performing professionally in 2020. Well-received singles were followed by her 2024 debut album Million Dollar Baby, which reached number five on the UK Independent Chart.

The KTNA, RnB/soul duo from Manchester

Twin sisters Hope and Millie Katana weave candid lyrics around unique jazz infused sounds. Recent years have seen the duo collaborate with global brands Manchester United and Adidas and be the first act to play in Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena.

Seb Lowe, alternative/indie artist from Oldham

20-year-old Seb Lowe leads a young band in songs that combine powerful social commentary with infectious melodies. The summer of 2024 saw Seb perform at Reading and Leeds festivals’ main stages and also play Glastonbury’s iconic left field stage.

Beth McCarthy, a pop-rock artist from York

Yorkshire’s Beth McCarthy tells the stories of twenty-something misfits navigating identity, love and friendships. The release of her EP IDK How To Talk To Girls fuelled an 11-date sold out tour.

Chiedu Oraka, hiphop and grime artist from Hull

A leading figure in the Northern rap and grime scene Chiedu Oraka, aka the self-proclaimed ‘The Black Yorkshireman’ delivers a blend of raw honesty and social poetry. 2024 saw Oraka release his lengthiest project to date, the 12-track mixtape Misfit.

Lily Fontaine, lead singer of English Teacher, winners of the 2024 Northern Music Awards Newcomer of the Year, said:

“It was an honour to win Newcomer of the Year at the first ever Northern Music Awards in Manchester, and to perform at the Albert Hall, all while raising vital funds for Nordoff and Robbins. Best of luck to all of this year’s nominees, we’re excited to see where 2025 will take them.”

Additional award categories* range from Festival of the YeartoAlbum of the Year, Disruptor in Music, Music and Culture for Wellbeing, Band of the Year, DJ of the Yearand the Northern Music Award 2025. Audiences attending the 2025 Northern Music Awards will see live performances from several of the talented artists shortlisted. Category shortlists and performing artists will be announced in the lead up to the event.

Liverpool was chosen as the host city due to its incredible musical pedigree. Not limited to the fab four, the city has produced number one singles in every decade since the 1950s and played host to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2022. Liverpool is internationally recognised as the home of incredible artists and was designated a UNESCO City of Music in 2015. Liverpool Olympia will be celebrating its 120^th year anniversary in 2025, having opened in 1905 as a purpose-built indoor circus and variety theatre by renowned architect Frank Matcham. The venue enjoys a rich history within the performing arts, having hosted a variety of theatrical and music productions, with performers as diverse as Harry Houdini and The Beatles.

The first ever Northern Music Awards were hosted in April 2024 at Manchester’s Albert Hall, with Liam Fray (Courteeners), Lisa Stansfield, Tim Burgess, Louis Tomlinson, Melanie C, English Teacher, The K’s and The Reytons all winning awards. Hosted by Radio 6 music’s Chris Hawkins, presenters included Gary Neville, Andy Burnham and Gillian Gilbert and Stephen Norris from New Order. Ticketholders were treated to performances from artists including Lisa Stansfield, Liam Fray, Antony Szmierek and English Teacher.

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 58 music therapists and 118 partner organisations providing 20,000 sessions of vital music therapy: transforming the lives of more than 5,400 people in the region.

Sandra Schembri, CEO, Nordoff and Robbins, said:

“We’re incredibly excited that Liverpool will be the next host of the Northern Music Awards. The city has as rich a music history as anywhere in the world so it’s a perfect place to celebrate the North’s exceptional musical talent. Not only are we honouring the people who make up the eclectic music ecosystem, but we’re raising essential funds to continue our music therapy work in Liverpool and across the North.

“We rely on these events, and the generosity and support of the music industry, to be able to offer more sessions to more people. Every day our music therapists visit people across the North of England – in care homes, in hospitals and in schools, and use the power of music to create together a new language of human connections. Whether it’s unlocking memories for a mum with dementia or introducing a child with learning difficulties to the joys and agency of playing the piano, music therapy truly changes lives.”

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool city region, said:

“I’m incredibly proud that Liverpool has been chosen to host the 2025 Northern Music Awards. Our city’s musical heritage is known around the world, and this event will be a fitting celebration of the North’s incredible talent, past, present, and future.

“From the Beatles to an unforgettable Eurovision, music is in the lifeblood of this city. It’s a huge part of how we connect, celebrate, and express ourselves. And with Nordoff and Robbins using the power of music to transform lives, it’s fitting that this event will help fund music therapy services for those who need it most in our communities.

“Liverpool knows how to throw a party, and I’m looking forward to a night that showcases the best of our region’s creative talent while supporting a cause that makes a real difference to people’s lives.”