Lisa Stansfield interviewed at the O2 Silver Clef Awards ceremony for the UK's largest music therapy charity, Nordoff & Robbins, held at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London on 5 July 2024. For more information, visit Music-News.com.
The prestigious annual O2 Silver Clef Awards recognise artists across the music industry and have raised more than £760,000 to date for Nordoff & Robbins, the UK's largest music therapy charity. The star-studded event is the charity's biggest event of the year, raising vital funds for music therapy services in an increasingly challenging social climate, with rising costs, children facing a mental health crisis and almost one million people expected to live with dementia by 2030.
Funds raised today will support Nordoff & Robbins trained music therapists to reach people living with autism, dementia, learning disabilities, brain injuries, life-limiting illnesses, mental health issues, grief and trauma, helping them connect and communicate through music.
This afternoon at the glamorous 48th annual awards ceremony held at the Grosvenor House Hotel on London's Park Lane, Blur, one of the most enduring and iconic British bands of the past three decades, were presented with the prestigious O2 Silver Clef Award. The O2 Silver Clef is the day's most prestigious award, honouring artists of the highest calibre who continue to influence the music industry with their illustrious careers and contributions to music. Previous legendary recipients include Stormzy, David Bowie, Ed Sheeran, Roger Waters, Paul McCartney, George Michael, Annie Lennox, Shirley Bassey, Kylie Minogue, The Rolling Stones, Oasis and Coldplay.
Pioneering global rock band AC/DC received the Legend Award in honour of the band's 50-year history, whose enormous influence continues to resonate with rock musicians today. Pop culture phenomenon Chaka Khan received the Global Impact Award in recognition of her 50 years of international influence, while world-renowned rock band Mark Knopfler received the prestigious Music Icon Award.
Pop star Jessie Ware won Best Female Artist, acclaimed British hip-hop artist Loyle Carner won Best Male Artist, global artist The 1975 won Best Group and acclaimed Scottish band Texas received the Outstanding Achievement Award. Innovative Jacob Collier won Innovation in Music, London legends Cat Barnes won Best New Artist in Music, genre-bending Ezra Collective won Contemporary Music and unclassifiable Scottish group Young Fathers won Best Live Act.
Guest award presenters included Mika Paris, Clara Amfo, Jamie Cullum, Chris Evans, Annie Mac, Atian Akech and Simon Moran.
Hosted for the sixth consecutive year by Edith Bowman, with Carrie and David Grant as blue carpet hosts, the O2 Silver Clef Awards are held to recognise and celebrate the talent of the winning artists and are one of the highlights of the music industry, bringing together artists, labels, management teams and celebrity supporters. Since 1976, the awards have raised over £13.5 million for Nordoff & Robbins' transformative music therapy services and honoured some of the greatest names in music. Co-hosted with the O2 for the past 23 years, the annual lunch has become Nordoff & Robbins' biggest fundraising event of the year, thanks to table sales, sponsorships and a live auction on the day, showcasing exclusive items from the winning artists and money-can't-buy experiences donated by the music industry.
In 2023, Nordoff & Robbins will have delivered approximately 50,000 vital music therapy sessions across the UK. With over 60 years of experience, Nordoff & Robbins trained music therapists transform people's lives by using the power of music to help them express themselves and connect with others. The charity supports children and adults in over 380 schools, hospitals, hospices and care homes, as well as delivering sessions from centres across the country.
This year's head prize at the O2 Silver Clef Awards, presented by James Ford, goes to Blur, an iconic band that has occupied a central position in British musical and cultural life for over three decades. Since emerging in 1991 with their debut album, Leisure, Blur (Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, Dave Rowntree and Alex James) have enjoyed six consecutive UK number one albums – Parklife (1994), The Great Escape (1995), Blur (1997), 13 (1999), Think Tank (2003) and The Magic Whip (2015) – as well as a string of top 10 singles, including two number ones, Country House and Beetlebum, which have seen the band gain popularity at home and abroad. Blur have released eight studio albums, won ten NME Awards, six Q Awards, five BRIT Awards and an Ivor Novello Award and performed live to thousands of enthusiastic fans around the world. The band's most recent studio album and critically acclaimed No.1 record, “The Ballad of Darren”, was released last July.
Lead singer Brian Johnson accepted the Amazon Music Legend Award on behalf of AC/DC from Mark Knopfler. AC/DC is one of the most influential rock bands of all time, having sold over 200 million albums worldwide. The band's album Back in Black has sold over 50 million copies worldwide, making it the band's best-selling album of all time and the third best-selling album by an artist. The band continues to sell out shows on multiple continents, sell millions of albums a year, generate billions of streams, and have a dedicated fanbase that continues to grow each year. This summer, the band will be selling out stadium tours in Europe in support of their 17th album Power Up, which debuted at No. 1 in 21 countries.
Chaka Khan, a legendary pop culture icon known for her distinctive voice and style, was presented with the prestigious Raymond Weil Global Impact Award by Mika Paris. The 10-time Grammy Award-winning international superstar is celebrating 50 years in music and was justly inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year. Chaka Khan has made an enormous impact as a singer, songwriter, producer, visual artist, author and actress, with a rare resume that has seen her record across eight different musical genres. She continues to entertain and inspire fans around the world with her uplifting anthems, performing to sold-out crowds on six continents.
Legendary musician Mark Knopfler received the American Express Music Icon Award from Brian Johnson. As lead singer, guitarist and songwriter for rock icons Dire Straits, which he co-founded with his brother David in 1977, Mark achieved worldwide success with hit singles such as “Sultans of Swing,” “Romeo and Juliet” and “Money for Nothing.” Dire Straits remains one of the most popular British rock bands, with worldwide sales of over 120 million albums, including one of the best-selling records of all time, Brothers in Arms (1985). After the band broke up in 1995, Mark pursued a solo career, releasing ten solo albums, as well as composing film scores and producing albums for artists such as Bob Dylan and Randy Newman. His tenth solo studio album, “One Deep River,” was released in April 2024.
Pop icon Jessie Ware was presented with the Live Nation Award for Best Female Artist by Clara Amfo.
South London-born pioneer Loyle Carner received the AEG Presents Best Male Award from Atian Akek.
International pop rock act The 1975 received the ASM Global Best Group award from Simon Moran, Managing Director of SJM Concerts.
Texas, a pop rock band representing Scotland, received the Tizers Live Outstanding Achievement Award from Chris Evans.
Legendary London musician Cat Barnes received Ticketmaster's Best New Musical Artist award from Chris Hawkins.
British jazz quintet Ezra Collective received the PPL Contemporary Music Award from Annie Mac.
British singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer and global collaborator Jacob Collier has been presented with the Oak View Group Music Innovation Award by Jamie Cullum.
Unclassifiable Scottish group Young Fathers have received PizzaExpress Live's Best Live Act Award from Edith Bowman.