Summer 2024Lisa Stansfield honoured at first ever Northern Music Awards

Rochdale’s music legend Lisa Stansfield was honoured at the inaugural Northern Music Awards, named by the organisers as the “Brits of the North”.

Lisa, renowned for her chart-topping hits like “All Around the World” and “People Hold On” in the 1980s and 1990s, received the Northern Icon Award, which she described as a tremendous privilege.

Hosted by BBC Radio 6 Music’s Chris Hawkins, the packed public awards show featured performances from Liam Fray (Courteeners), Lisa Stansfield, The K’s, and
Antony Szmierek.

Notable guest presenters from the region included Gary Neville, Gillian Gilbert, Stephen Norris from New Order, and Thomas Turgoose.

Organised by the UK’s largest music therapy charity, Nordoff Robbins, the Northern Music Awards were held at Manchester’s iconic Albert Hall on Tuesday 23 April, celebrating northern artists, festivals, venues, and industry figures.

Rochdale’s own Lisa, one of the UK’s most prominent pop singers of the 1990s, electrified the former Wesleyan Chapel with a captivating performance featuring hits like “The Real Thing,” “Change,” “Live Together,” and “All Around the World.”

She was presented with the Northern Icon Award by Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham.

Lisa remarked, “Music and singing are in my blood, as much as being a proud Mancunian. Therefore, to be recognised as the Northern Icon at the inaugural Northern Music Awards is an incredible honour.”

She added, “I’m immensely proud to support Nordoff Robbins in raising funds for a new music therapy centre in Greater Manchester.”