Dr. John Cooper Clarke to perform and be honoured at Northern Music Awards

Acclaimed poet, performer and cultural icon, Dr. John Cooper Clarke, will receive the prestigious 2025 Northern Music Award and give an intimate performance of his unique brand of poetry at the second annual Northern Music Awards.

Hosted by the UK’s largest music therapy charity, Nordoff and Robbins,the 2025 Northern Music Awards sponsored by Ticketmaster and Live Nation will be held at the Liverpool Olympia on Thursday 27 March. Clarke will be joining a stellar line up of Northern performers on the night including Blossoms, Lightning Seeds, The Zutons, Chiedu Oraka and Luvcat.

Won by The Charlatans’ Tim Burgess at the inaugural awards in 2024, the headline Northern Music Award, sponsored by Live Nation, will be presented to Dr. John Cooper Clarke at the star-studded ceremony in Liverpool to celebrate his exceptional influence on the worlds of music, poetry, and beyond. His distinctive blend of punk poetry and music, alongside his enduring presence as a voice for alternative culture, has made him a standout figure within the Northern, and wider UK creative communities.

Critically acclaimed indie band, English Teacher, will be presented with the Album of the Year award. The band made waves in 2024 by winning Newcomer of the Year at the inaugural Northern Music Awards, and their album, “This Could Be Texas,” is being celebrated for its bold sound and innovative lyrics which earned the band widespread praise from critics and fans alike.

This year’s Disruptor in Music award will see Yungblud crowned for his audacious artistic vision and boundary-pushing sound. Known for his raucous mix of rock, pop, and punk influences, Yungblud has cultivated a global following, using his platform to amplify underrepresented voices, tackling themes of identity, mental health, and social issues, resonating deeply with fans who see him as a voice for their generation.

Taking place at the historic Liverpool Olympia, the Northern Music Awards, sponsored by Ticketmaster and Live Nation, are the only awards set up specifically to recognise and celebrate the breadth of musical talent across the North of England.

Tickets, priced from £40 (+ £1 venue restoration levy), are available for anyone to purchase online now at nordoff-robbins.org.uk/northern-music-awards. Ticket prices include a free souvenir brochure, a gift from Flare Audio and entry to an exclusive Northern Music Awards afterparty at BOXPARK Liverpool with free welcome drink.

As well as celebrating the talented artists and musicians from across the North, the Northern Music Awards pay homage to the Northern venues that showcase developing artists and global superstars. This year’s Inspirational Venue of the Year awards, sponsored by Seat Unique, will go to the following venues, with a percentage of the sponsorship fee being shared with the Music Venue Trust:

Inspirational Venue of the Year under 2,000 capacity: The Trades Club, Hebden Bridge
Inspirational Venue of the Year over 2,000 capacity: The Piece Hall, Halifax

Additional awards to be announced on the night include Artist of the Year, sponsored by Ticketmaster, which will honour an artist who has had an exceptional last 12 months of releases and performances, and DJ of the Year, crowning an accomplished headliner and radio DJ from the North. The Festival of the Year award has received hundreds of votes from readers of The Guide Liverpool and the winner will also be revealed on the night.

Nordoff and Robbins is also pleased to announce the shortlist for this year’s Music and Culture for Wellbeing Award, sponsored by Flare Audio, which will be awarded to an organisation, group or project offering high quality, creative health provision in the North of England that uses music, arts and culture to support people with health, wellbeing and socio-economic issues. The shortlist includes Bridge Creative (County Durham), Liverpool Philharmonic Music & Health Programme (Liverpool), Purple Patch Arts (Leeds), Pyramid High Rise Music Group (Leeds), String of Hearts CIC (Manchester) and Warren Records at The Warren Youth Project (Hull).

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.

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.

The charity is continuing to work strategically in the North to deliver more music therapy to where it’s needed the most. Statistics show that Liverpool is the third most deprived local authority, with 63% of residents living in the most deprived areas in England. In 2024, Nordoff and Robbins delivered nearly 2,000 music therapy sessions to over 600 people in Liverpool, with ambitions to increase the number of people they work with in the area.

Money raised from the Northern Music Awards will go towards expanding Nordoff and Robbins’ music therapy provision in Liverpool and across 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.

Dr. John Cooper Clarke said:

“I am knocked out to receive this award. The North is where it all started for me, and I’m honoured to be recognised in this way. I look forward to celebrating with the incredibly talented winners at the Northern Music Awards and to support the life-changing music therapy work that Nordoff and Robbins delivers for people across the North.”

English Teacher lead singer, Lily Fontaine, said:

“We’re so incredibly proud to have won Album of the Year. Winning Newcomer of the Year last year felt like a dream come true, and now to be recognised for our debut album is a true testament to the hard work and dedication we’ve put into our music. We’re firm believers in music’s power to connect and heal and continue to support Nordoff and Robbins’ vital work.”

Yungblud said:

“I’m so grateful for this recognition and for the chance to support such an important cause with Nordoff and Robbins. I’ve always believed that music should be a tool for change, for breaking down barriers, and for creating spaces where people can unapologetically be themselves. This award is for all the misfits and the dreamers. Let’s keep disrupting together.”

Sandra Schembri, CEO, Nordoff and Robbins, said:

“We’re so excited to be honouring Dr. John Cooper Clarke at this year’s Northern Music Awards. With his distinctive style, sharp wit, social commentary and an inimitable delivery, he has become a household name, bringing poetry to new audiences and inspiring generations of musicians, artists and fans alike. His work continues to be celebrated around the world, while his influence remains a constant in both literary and music circles, so this award is testament to his outstanding career and the ongoing relevance of his work within the cultural tapestry of the North.

“Music has the power to heal, connect and transform lives, and this year’s Northern Music Awards is not just about celebrating the outstanding talent across the region, it’s about making a real difference. Rising costs and increasing demand for music therapy mean that the funds raised at this event are critical to helping us bring vital support to people across the North, from hospitals and care homes to schools and community centres. Every contribution ensures we can reach more individuals in need, using music to create meaningful change.”

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.