'Everyone knows the north is brilliant': Full list of winners at first ever Northern Music Awards - including some big names

The recurring message running through the Northern Music Awards on Tuesday night (April 23) was clear: we do things differently here in the north and always have done.

Organised by music therapy charity Nordoff & Robbins, the event celebrated, as the name suggested, the best in northern music from large-scale venues to breakthrough acts. Through subtle yet tongue-in-cheek pokes towards the south, an impromptu sing-a-long from Andy Burnham and a praise that “there’s no place like the north”, it was a celebratory evening.

Held at the Albert Hall, on the same night when thousands were set to attend the huge Co-op Live venue for its opening night before it got cancelled, the event - the first ever Northern Music Awards - featured performances from English Teacher, Courteeners’ frontman Liam Fray, The K's, Antony Szmierek, and Lisa Stansfield.

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Amongst the big winners of the night were Spice Girls’ legend Melanie C, taking home the Special Recognition award, Breakthrough Act winners the K’s and Aitch earning the music moment of the year award for his performance at Glastonbury last year.

Tim Burgess, of the Charlatans, took home the Northern Music Award and said he felt it was about time that events like these were not just celebrated in the capital. “I think lots of stuff goes on in London but this is the Northern Music Awards so why not [have it here],” Tim, originally from Salford, told the M.E.N. “It’s not all just about London. Everyone knows the north is brilliant but it’s just about bringing more stuff back to the city.”

Other winners included Louis Tomlinson for Artist of the Year, English Teacher for Newcomer of the year, Beat-Herder in Lancashire for