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Northern music awards winners call for more help for region’s emerging talents

Artists at Northern Music Awards in Manchester highlight lack of dedicated support for arts

The awards, run by the music therapy charity Nordoff Robbins, took place in a packed Albert Hall with winners including the former One Direction singer Louis Tomlinson – who beat Sam Fender and Self Esteem to pick up artist of the year – the Courteeners, Aitch and Mel C. Speaking to the Guardian before picking up the northern icon award on Tuesday evening, pop legend Lisa Stansfield said it was “disgusting” how hard the government had made it for young people to get a start in the music industry. The Charlatans frontman, Tim Burgess, who was presented with the 2024 northern music award, said tackling UK-wide issues, such as better pay for musicians, would help lift all artists.

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