Nordoff and Robbins Music Therapy raises £537,000 (and counting) at star studded O2 Silver Clef Awards Ceremony

The prestigious annual O2 Silver Clef Awards, held today to honour artists from across the music industry, has so far raised £537,000 for Nordoff and Robbins, the UK’s largest music therapy charity. This huge fundraising boost will help Nordoff and Robbins’ trained music therapists to support some of the most vulnerable children and adults in the UK; helping those with autism, dementia, learning difficulties, brain injuries, life-limiting illnesses, mental health challenges, grief and trauma connect and communicate through music.

This afternoon’s glittering award ceremony - now in its 46th year - at the Grosvenor House Hotel on London’s Park Lane saw international superstar and cultural icon Stormzy winning the flagship O2 Silver Clef Award, the legendary Mark King of Level 42 being honoured with the Icon Award and pop legend Neneh Cherry receiving the accolade for Outstanding Achievement. Trailblazer RAYE received Best Female, while rock renegades Nova Twins took home the Innovation Award. Jazz singer songwriter sensation Gregory Porter won Best Male and award-winning American singer songwriter Adam Lambert picked up the International Award. Wet Leg received the New Music Award and Biffy Clyro won Best Live Act, UK music legends N-Dubz were honoured with the Best Group Award and Ayanna Witter-Johnson won the Classical Award.

Guest award presenters included Queen lead guitarist Sir Brian May, Mobo awards founder Kanya King and chef and TV presenter Andi Oliver.

Presented by Edith Bowman for the fifth-year running, with Peter Andre returning to take his regular hosting spot on the blue carpet, the O2 Silver Clef Awards are held to recognise and celebrate the talent of the winning artists and the powerful impact of music on all members of our society. Since 1976, through the power of music, the awards have raised over £12 million for Nordoff and Robbins and honoured some of the greatest names in music.

In 2022, Nordoff and Robbins held nearly 50,000 music therapy sessions across the UK for some of the most isolated people in society, and the need for music therapy is greater than it has ever been.

The flagship O2 Silver Clef Award, presented by co-president of 0207 Def Jam, Alec Boateng, this year honours Stormzy for his outstanding contribution to music. Stormzy’s three albums to date; ‘Gang Signs & Prayer’, ‘Heavy Is The Head’ and ‘This Is What I Mean’ all finished at #1 in the UK album chart. A true spokesman of black empowerment and social activism, Stormzy is one of the UK’s most inspiring figureheads who has consistently stood up for people from all areas of life. Previous legendary winners include David Bowie, Ed Sheeran, Paul McCartney, George Michael, Annie Lennox, Kylie Minogue, The Rolling Stones, Oasis and Coldplay.

The legendary Mark King received the American Express Icon Award from record producer and musician Trevor Horn. As lead singer and bass player of funk-rock icons Level 42, King achieved a string of Top Ten hits throughout the 1980s including ‘The Sun Goes Down (Living It Up) (1984), ‘Lessons in Love’ (1985), Running in the Family (1987) and ‘Staring at the Sun’ (1988). Now celebrating over 40 years with Level 42, Mark continues to delight audiences around the world. 
Swedish singer-songwriter, rapper and cultural icon Neneh Cherry picked up the Tysers Outstanding Achievement Award from chef and TV presenter Andi Oliver in recognition of her influential career starting with the global success of her debut single ‘Buffalo Stance’ and album ‘Raw Like Sushi’ in 1989. In 2022, Neneh released ‘The Versions’, a collection of her greatest hits covered by artists including Sia, Robyn and Greentea Peng.

Jazz singer songwriter sensation Gregory Porter took home the AEG Presents Best Male Award, from  singer songwriter Beverley Knight MBE.

Trailblazer RAYE was unable to attend in person, but sent a video message and received the Live Nation Best Female Award, from singer songwriter Jin Jin.

ASM Global Best Group Award winners UK music legends N-Dubz received their accolade from Rich Castillo, Senior Vice President, A&R, EMI Records UK

Rock renegades Nova Twins were presented with the Amazon Music Innovation Award by Mobo awards founder Kanya King.

Award-winning American singer songwriter and actor Adam Lambert picked up the Raymond Weil International Award from Queen guitarist Sir Brian May.

The award for Ticketmaster Best New Music was presented to indie rock artists Wet Leg by rapper and creative producer Lava La Rue.
One of the UK’s most successful rock bands, Biffy Clyro, were awarded the PizzaExpress Live Best Live Act Award by Edith Bowman.

Multi-talented singer, songwriter, pianist and cellist Ayanna Witter-Johnson picked up the PPL Classical Award from musician, producer and composer Nitin Sawhney.

Nordoff and Robbins works with children and adults at over 350 schools, hospitals, hospices and care homes, as well as providing sessions from its centres nationwide. Shaped by more than 60 years of practice, the charity’s trained music therapists transform lives by helping people to express themselves and find connection in society.

Mark King said: “I am beyond thrilled to be chosen as recipient of the Icon Award this year. I'm doubly delighted as I have been an enthusiastic supporter of Nordoff and Robbins for the last 15 years. Often people receiving music therapy find it difficult to communicate with the world through words, and I have spent time at their London centre and witnessed the joy that clients feel when they are being truly heard through music. Music is universal – whichever country I tour, it’s our common language.”
 
Neneh Cherry said: “I’m delighted to be chosen for the Outstanding Achievement Award. I’ve recently seen first-hand the incredible work that Nordoff and Robbins’ trained music therapists carry out with some of the most vulnerable members of our society. For many, the sessions can be transformative. I’ve worked with so many fantastic artists in my career and I’m proud to support a charity which aims to give everybody access to the power of music.” 
 
N-Dubz said: “We're honoured to receive this amazing Best Group award. It’s a special moment for us as we’ve always believed in using our music to make a difference. Nordoff and Robbins’ work uses music to help people who really need it and spread a positive vibe. We’re looking forward to a great awards ceremony for an incredible cause.”
 
Adam Lambert said: "I'm filled with gratitude to have been chosen for the remarkable O2 Silver Clef International award. It’s a testament to the unwavering passion of my fans who’ve been by my side throughout my artistic journey – and a reminder of the transformative power of music to heal and uplift people. I'm so excited to be supporting Nordoff and Robbins, a charity that, through the universal language of music, creates such a positive impact on people’s lives."
 
Biffy Clyro said: “We’re so pleased to receive the Best Live Act Award. Some of our favourite memories have been created on stage and nothing compares to the response from a live audience. Music brings us together in such a unique way– all people – from non-verbal children to older people with dementia can really respond and communicate in the music therapy sessions, which is why Nordoff and Robbins’ work is so incredibly important.”
 
Wet Leg said: “To the hunnies at Nordoff and Robbins, tysm for choosing us for Best new music award!?! We’re blushing red as lobsters. We’re so stoked to be supporting Nordoff and Robbins to bring music to those who need it most! Through their work, they provide music therapists to isolated children and adults which allows them to break down barriers whilst making real connections with other people.  xx.” 
 
RAYE said: "I’m excited to receive this incredible award for Best Female! I hope it encourages other artists to be fearless and persevere in their craft. I celebrate the fantastic work that Nordoff and Robbins does - using music to empower people across the country.”
 
Nova Twins said: “We're honoured to be receiving this innovation award! We have always embraced the parts of ourselves that were different, putting this into our music and we are just so happy that it speaks to people, hopefully encouraging a new generation to chase their own unique sound. This award is for everyone who’s tearing down boundaries and setting their own path. Massive love to Nordoff and Robbins for breaking barriers with their work, connecting people through the power of music.”
 
Gregory Porter said: “I’m so pleased to receive the award for Best Male and honoured to be recognised among such a diverse group of talented artists. These awards not only pay tribute to some incredible musicians that span a whole range of musical genres, but also affirm the power of music to touch hearts and inspire change. I look forward to using my voice to support Nordoff and Robbins to transform people’s lives through music therapy."
 
Ayanna Witter-Johnson said: “Super excited to be collecting the Classical Award. It is important to recognise the various ways that we can reach people through music.  This is why I support Nordoff and Robbins, who are working hard to break down those communication boundaries that exist for many people, so that they can be fully heard and their individuality can be expressed.”
 
Sandra Schembri, CEO of Nordoff and Robbins said: "The need for music therapy is greater than it’s ever been in the UK. Every penny raised today at the O2 Silver Clef Awards from the vital support of artists and the music industry helps Nordoff and Robbins to provide these life transforming services. Our therapists help people communicate through the power of music, from an adult with dementia reconnecting with family to a child with autism finding their voice."
 
Gareth Griffiths, Director of Partnerships and Sponsorship at Virgin Media O2, said: “We’re proud to continue supporting Nordoff and Robbins through our amazing 22-year partnership and it was wonderful to recognise such talented artists at this year’s O2 Silver Clef Awards. Special congratulations to Stormzy, an artist we have admired for many years.”