NMA’s Industry Icon

Michael Adex announced as winner of inaugural ‘Industry Icon’ Northern Music Award

Announced today, founder and CEO of Manchester-based talent management company NQ, Michael Adex, will receive the first ever Industry Icon Award at the inaugural Nordoff and RobbinsNorthern Music Awardssupported by Ticketmaster, set to be held on Thursday 30 November 2023 at Aviva Studios – Manchester's landmark new arts, music and culture space and home of the world-renowned Factory International. 

Renowned for showcasing emerging musical talent from the North of England, including North Manchester BRIT award winning rapper Aitch, NQ's management, label, and publishing arms have surpassed 3 billion streams and eight platinum certifications since Adex founded the company from his bedroom in 2017. 

Michael also created NQ Legacy, a not-for-profit pathway organisation for young creatives from The North to help them explore careers in music and the creative arts sectors. 

Northern Music Award Industry Icon 2023 winner, Michael Adex, said: “It is a great feeling to be recognised by the Northern Music Awards as their first Industry Icon. There is so much amazing, diverse talent in the North and I’m proud that NQ is playing a part in letting the world know about it. 

“The North massively deserves to have its own awards show to highlight the rich heritage and wealth of musical creativity that comes from here. Nordoff and Robbins has created a long-term legacy with the Northern Music Awards to bring more music therapy to isolated communities, this is inspirational, and I am excited for their new centre to open in Salford.” 

Laura Graham of L.G. Publicity is producing the ‘first of its kind’ The Nordoff and Robbins Northern Music Awards supported by Ticketmaster (NMAs).

It is the first music awards show to recognise and celebrate the breadth of talent across the North of England. The annual event will be held by the UK’s largest music therapy charity, Nordoff and Robbins - in a different Northern city each year - to honour artists, festivals, venues and industry figures from the region. 

Nadra Shah, director of engagement and communications, Nordoff and Robbins said: “We are thrilled to honour Michael Adex for his enormous contribution to the success of so much thriving musical talent emerging from the North. Fundamental to the success of Michael’s artists – including the multi-award-winning Aitch – is their ability to connect with their audience. Our aim is to support and help to grow the eco system of Northern musicians whilst shining a light on the transformative work we do with music therapy, to connect with some of the region’s most isolated communities. We are immensely proud of the work we do in the North, next year we will be celebrating 20 years since we started delivering music therapy in Manchester.”

Also announced today, a raft of grassroots live music venues has been shortlisted by the awards’ judging panel of Northern music industry experts, in two Inspirational Venue categories (under 500 and under 2,000 capacity), sponsored by primary ticket outlet and online events guide, Skiddle. 

Jamie Scahill, head of marketing, Skiddle said: “Skiddle is incredibly proud to be supporting the inaugural Northern Music Awards and sponsoring the Inspirational Venue of the Year award. The grassroots venues of the North deserve to be recognised as they underpin the Northern music scene and culture. Skiddle was conceived in an independent venue in Preston 22 years ago and we have been supporting them ever since. We are grateful that Nordoff and Robbins are coming up North and we look forward to working with them for years to come.” 

Inspirational Venue of the Year (under 500)
Brundenell Social Club – Leeds 
Future Yard – Birkenhead
Night and Day – Manchester
Trades – Hebden Bridge
Yes – Manchester 

Inspirational Venue of the Year (Under 2,000)
Albert Hall – Manchester 
Band on the Wall – Manchester
Barbican – York
City Hall – Newcastle
New Century Hall – Manchester 

To show support for these venues that champion diverse talent and provide a platform for artists to perform in front of Northern audiences, Nordoff and Robbins will be sharing half of the proceeds from Skiddle’s sponsorship of these award categories with registered charity Music Venue Trust. The proceeds will help Music Venue Trust in continuing its mission to protect, secure and improve UK Grassroots Music Venues for the benefit of venues, communities, and upcoming artists.

Beverley Whitrick, chief operating officer, Music Venue Trust said: “Music Venue Trust is delighted to see Nordoff and Robbins celebrate the vibrancy of the music scene in Northern England with these new awards. The inclusion of the Inspirational Venue category, which acknowledges the importance of grassroots music venues to artists and audiences, is wonderful to see and MVT is thrilled to have been invited to be part of this by Nordoff and Robbins.”

The NMA judging panel has also selected 19 events for the Favourite Festival of the Year award shortlist, including Liverpool’s Sound City, Cheshire’s Blue Dot, Yorkshire’s Deer Shed, Stockport’s Moovin and Lancaster’s Highest Point, with the 20th to be decided by audiences from The Manc, The Hoot and The Sheff.

The performance-packed show, headlined by Special Recognition award winner Melanie C, will raise money to help fund the opening of a new Nordoff and Robbins dedicated music therapy centre for Greater Manchester – based in Salford – and will kickstart a new chapter in celebrating diverse talent from the North of England, year after year. A VIP drinks reception will be held for music industry guests, followed by the public awards event. Premium tables will be available to book in advance – To register your interest, please contact the Nordoff and Robbins team here: https://www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk/register-your-interest-for-northern-music-awards-premium-package.    

Nominees and winners are still to be announced for the NMAs in categories ranging from the Northern Music Award, Breakthrough and Newcomer to Best Artist, Band of the Year, DJ of the Year and Disruptor. A special Music and Culture for Wellbeing award, supported by the Greater Manchester Music Commission, will highlight outstanding and innovative creative arts provision in the North, that uses music and culture to support and connect with people that face health, wellbeing, and socio-economic challenges.

The new Greater Manchester Nordoff and Robbins music therapy centre in Salford will be a multi-disciplinary music making and therapy space, housing a high spec recording studio with interactive, accessible music technology throughout, serving the needs of individuals and diverse Northern communities.

Nordoff and Robbins delivers music therapy to clients across the UK from bases in London, Croydon, Newcastle, Dunfermline and Glasgow, and its biggest service area is currently the North of England, with 45 music therapists and 118 partner organisations providing nearly 20,000 sessions of vital music therapy to more than 4,300 people in the region. Through the power of music, Nordoff and Robbins’ trained music therapists break through the barriers caused by life-limiting illness, disability, and social isolation.

The NMAs continue Nordoff and Robbins’ close partnerships with the UK music industry, developed since the creation of its annual Silver Clef music awards in 1976. The judging panel comprises industry heavyweights including Ticketmaster, SJM Concerts, GigPig, Music Venue Trust, Live Nation, BIMM Institute, Kendall Calling and Sound City Liverpool, as well as BBC Radio 6 Music presenter Chris Hawkins, who will host the November event. 

Find out more about Nordoff and Robbins at nordoff-robbins.org.uk.