The founder and CEO of NQ, Michael Adex, has been honoured with the first Industry Icon award at the Northern Music Awards (NMA) for his contributions to North’s Music Scene.
The Northern music scene is set to celebrate its biggest stars and unsung heroes as the Nordoff and Robbins NMA take centre stage on November 30 2023, presented by BBC Radio 6 Music’s Chris Hawkins.
Among the many luminaries to be recognised, Adex – the visionary founder and CEO of Manchester-based talent management company NQ – stands out as the inaugural recipient of the prestigious Industry Icon Award.
The event, which marks the inception of an annual tradition, will be hosted at the Aviva Studios in Manchester, a cultural club that houses the esteemed Factory International, Castlefield’s new arts, music, and culture spaces.
Adex has had a significant impact on the Northern music landscape, where NQ has not only nurtured emerging talents like the award-winning rapper Aitch but has also achieved incredible milestones, boasting over three billion streams and eight platinum certifications.
In addition to his work with NQ, Adex has established NQ Legacy, a not-for-profit organization that provides opportunities for young creatives from the region to pursue careers in the music and creative arts sectors.
The work that Adex has done has been pivotal in promoting the rich musical heritage of the North.
On receiving the NMA’s Industry Icon title, Adex expressed his gratitude for the recognition, he 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.”
The NMAs, an initiative by the UK’s largest music therapy clinic Nordoff and Robbins, mark a significant milestone in celebrating Northern talent.
The annual event will rotate among different Northern cities each year honouring artists, festivals, venues and industry figures from the region.
This year’s event will feature the likes of the Special Recognition award recipient, Melanie C, whose performance will help raise funds to support the opening of a dedicated Nordoff and Robbins music therapy centre in Salford.
Nadra Shah, director of engagement and communications at Nordoff and Robbins said: “Our aim is to support and help to grow the ecosystem 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.”
The awards will also shine a spotlight on grassroots live music venues, acknowledging their pivotal role in the Northern music scene’s vitality.
Inspirational Venue of the Year Catagories, sponsored by Skiddle, pay tribute to venues that provide platforms for artists to connect with Northern Audiences, where Night and Day, Band on the Wall, Albert Hall and Yes are all among the nominees.
Nordoff and Robbins’ collaboration with Music Venue Trust promises to channel half of the sponsorship proceeds into safeguarding and enhancing UK Grassroots Music Venues.
Furthermore, the NMAs have unveiled the shortlist for the Favourite Festival of the Year award, showcasing events like Sound City, Parklife, Blue Dot and Neighbourhood Warrington.
This initiative aligns with Nordoff and Robbins’ mission to support and amplify Northern musicians while also underscoring the transformative potential of music therapy.
The awards multidimensional approach will be honouring talents, venues, festivals, highlighting the region’s vibrant musical ecosystem.
Feature Image: Supplied
