ANNOUNCEMENT

The one and only @JamesBayMusic is headlining @LoFootball this year and we can’t contain our excitement!

Don’t Let It Go and secure your table now!https://t.co/WVkBufHWZfpic.twitter.com/aTRXbpEyZc

— Legends of Football (@LoFootball) July 20, 2022

Nordoff Robbins use music therapists to help some of the most vulnerable and isolated people in our society, working with adults and young people suffering with life-limiting illness such as dementia, mental health issues and learning disabilities including autism and physical disability. Nordoff Robbins began back in 1958 and is the UK’s largest music therapy charity. It was first developed through the 17 year long collaboration of American musician Paul Nordoff and British musician Clive Robbins, who sought to devise a therapy for children with disabilities. The therapy involved immersing patients in music by both listening and learning how to play, and was grounded in the belief that everyone can respond to music no matter how ill or disabled they are. Click here for more information about the charity.

This year, the Brit award winning and Grammy nominated singer-songwriter James Bay will be headlining the event as Gareth Southgate is inducted into the Legends Of Football Hall Of Fame. James Bay recently secured a No.4 album in the UK’s Official Charts for his third record Leap, overtaking Paolo Nutini’s Last Night In The Bittersweet to grab the spot. He is one of Britain’s most successful international exports of the last decade, with his early single “Hold Back The River” going platinum in the United States and 3 times platinum here in the UK.

Speaking about headlining the event, Bay said: “I’m honoured to be headlining Legends of Football 2022. I have always been a huge football fan, Alan Shearer was my hero at the age of six and I’ve been an avid Newcastle supporter ever since, so it’s wonderful to be involved with Legends of Football this year to celebrate Gareth’s stellar career as a player and manager whilst supporting a brilliant charity like Nordoff Robbins.”

It’s likely that football is going to be on the minds of many at the moment, with England’s lionesses beating Spain last night in the 2022 women’s Euro’s tournament, and the World Cup fast approaching. So let’s hope there can be many more collaborations between music and football moving forward to help those in need.

We’re delighted to announce the incredible result from The White Label Auction with a record hammer price of £43,540, with net proceeds going to The BRIT Trust!

Read more: https://t.co/VQKmYkVnv9 pic.twitter.com/OcLMlk91Ot

— The BRIT Trust (@TheBRITtrust) June 7, 2022

The auction previously confirmed that all net proceeds will be donated to The BRIT Trust, an esteemed institution which supports charities and establishments involved in the music industry. The trust was founded in 1989 and is partly funded by money raised by the famed BRIT awards and other fundraising events, since its formation the BRIT Trust has raised over £28 million for its many causes. The trust aims to fund educational programmes such as The BRIT School and causes committed to mental wellbeing such as Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy plus many more.

Chair of The BRIT Trust, Tony Wadsworth CBE has given the following statement, “Once again we see people’s love of vinyl combine with the power of music to create something of real worth that will benefit the many causes we support across the UK, whether it’s the next generation of creators from The BRIT School, music therapists from Nordoff Robbins or professionals who work with mental health charities like Mind and Music Support. We are grateful to all the artists and labels for generously contributing their test pressings, and to Johnny Chandler and the Universal UMC team for pulling it all together.”

The auction consisted of 175 lots of White Label LP test pressings, with a large amount signed or personalised by artists many lots sold for four figure sums, the available lots were donated by artists as well as both major and independent record labels. White label LPs are considered vastly valuable by collectors and music fans as they are rarely found and are usually kept in archives. Only a handful are usually produced and provide a special insight into the album’s recording process, the LPs are typically manufactured before the album’s full release.

The Cure and Sex Pistols raise record funds for The BRIT Trust with test pressings #TheCure #SexPistols @TheBRITtrust https://t.co/VK4P71SsaU

— Virgin Radio UK (@VirginRadioUK) June 8, 2022

The highest selling lot at this year’s auction was a white label reissue of The Cure’s 1989 release Disintegration, which was signed by frontman Robert Smith and sold for £5,500. The auction included five lots of The Cure LPs, the total amount raised by the group’s records amounted to £12,250. Further high figures were seen from the record sales of The Sex Pistols, two 7” test pressings of the iconic album God Save The Queen sold for £2,550 combined.

Amongst the 175 lots, many well-known albums and celebrated artist’s accumulated impressive bids. A 6 LP set of The Police’s Every Move You Make sold for £1,200 and Disraeli Gears by Cream sold for £700. Lots consisting of The Spice Girls’ music also contributed to the auction’s large donation, a White Label LP of Spice sold for £440 and a copy of The Greatest Hits brought in £340, totalling an incredible £780.

The White Label auction first took place in 2019 and is the brainchild of Johnny Chandler, the A&R director at Universal Music UK has given the following statement, “Once again the response to the auction from artists, managers and labels has been incredible – today’s wonderful result, which will see funds raised go to support the work of The BRIT Trust and the charities it supports right across the UK, is down to them and the ongoing love affair fans have with vinyl. Special thanks to Dan Hampson, Gennaro Castaldo, and their respective teams at Omega Auctions and BPI, Julian Stockton and all at UMC for helping make this possible.”

Click here for the auction’s full listings and results.

The legend himself, @nilerodgers! Come and join Nile on Sunday 19 December with performances from Sir @rodstewart, @ImeldaOfficial, @JessGillamSax and more!

Don’t miss out on what will be an unforgettable evening. Sign up today: https://t.co/e4JusZfgxh pic.twitter.com/nKkl4O99ST

— Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy (@nordoffrobbins) December 9, 2021

All proceeds from the event were donated to Nordoff Robbins to ensure that the continuation of the charities positive influence. The donated funds will enable the charity’s music therapists to continue their important work to utilise music’s power to help those suffering from mental and physical difficulties. A statement from the charity’s website describes their work, “At Nordoff Robbins, we stand for music and believe in the value of music for all people in our society. Our vision is to live in a world where through music therapy, human potential is recognised regardless of profound disability, illness or social exclusion.”

The annual fundraising concert was hosted by music icon Nile Rodgers and included headline acts Sir Rod Stewart, Imelda May and Jess Gillam. Sir Stewart treated ticketholders to a setlist including the hit single “Have I Told You Lately” and the festive classic “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”. The singer then concluded the show with an improvised rendition of the classic “Shake, Rattle And Roll”. Dublin born singer also delighted the audience with a set including her 2021 hit “Don’t Let Me Stand On My Own” as well as a reading of her poem “Home”. May was also joined on stage by Sir Stewart and the duo performed an emotional duet of “Grace”. Gillam also adhered to the festive theme and performed a rendition of “Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence”.  The event’s host also took to Instagram to announce the event, within the post Rodgers also provided link to the charity.

 

 

 

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A post shared by Nile Rodgers (@nilerodgers)

The event also saw performances from Shakira, Eurythmics Songbook featuring David A. Stewart along with special guest Beverley Knight, Enrique Iglesias and Lindsey Buckingham, The event’s host Nile Rodgers also performed with his band CHIC, all acts performed at St. Luke’s Church and all performances are available to stream. The event’s stream also features accessible sets from previous years’ line up, past acts available to stream include Neil Young and Robbie Williams.

The Christmas concert also included a treat for literature fans, actors gave readings from celebrated texts. Clarke Peters read from The Journey of the Magi by T.S Eliot, the American actor is best known for his work in The Wire. The Darkling Thrush by Thomas Hardy was read by English actress Alice Eve and Rory Bremmer read from King John’s Christmas by A.A. Milne.

The event’s host Nile Rodgers has given the following statement expressing the charities’ importance, “Get together with family and friends and settle down for a musical treat from the comfort of your own sofa for Christmas carols with a difference as The Stars Come Out To Sing At Christmas 2021 – to help raise vital funds for a whole range of people who need it most, including children with autism who rely on music therapy for a sense of connection and those affected by life-limiting illnesses or disability. Nordoff Robbins believes in the value of music for all people in our society – which is why it’s so close to my heart. I understand the power of music and have witnessed how music therapy can connect people who may otherwise feel isolated or disconnected from the world. It’s the universal values that we can all express through music that brings us together in a unique way. I’m honoured to be hosting this special online concert for the second year running, bringing together some of my friends from the music world, including one of my favourites – Sir Rod Stewart – who feel just as passionately as I do about the important work of Nordoff Robbins.”

Click here to stream the concert and discover more about Nordoff Robbins.

Other acts included Cliff Richard, The Who’s Roger Daltrey, OneRepublic, Kaiser Chiefs, Simple Minds and Manic Street Preachers’ James Dean Bradfield and was hosted by Nile Rogers. The virtual carol service showcased readings, performances and festive messages that were broadcasted from the homes of the stars taking part and even some performances that were streamed from St. Lukes Church and Abbey Road Studios in London.

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A post shared by Nordoff Robbins (@nordoffrobbins)

Speaking about the event, host Nile Rogers said; “I’m very happy to have been able to do this for Nordoff Robbins and that Merck and I were able to bring so many of our artist friends along in support of Nordoff Robbins’ important work.” 

“Thank you to those who gave generously and I hope this continues to bring joy to everyone throughout this holiday season. It’s crucial that we raise as much as possible for Nordoff Robbins to continue to provide music therapy to every who needs it. It truly makes such a difference.”

Nordoff Robins is the UK’s largest independent music therapy charity. They use music to enrich the lives of people with life-limiting illnesses, disabilities and feelings of isolation. Unfortunately, the charity expects to lose 50% of its income in 2020 due to the coronavirus.

Speaking about the impact on their Instagram page, the charity said; “Nordoff Robbins has been severely impacted by #COVID-19. Most of our fundraising activities have been cancelled, meaning we are expecting to lose over 50% of our income in 2020, putting music therapy at risk of stopping for the people who need it most. Our #SingForNordoffRobbins online Christmas concert will help raise vital funds for our music therapy.”

You can re-watch the virtual carol service here. You can also check out Florence’s cover of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas down below.

We’ve been overwhelmed by the support from all the incredible artists & celebrities who will be helping to raise vital funds for our music therapy on Tue 15 Dec for our Christmas concert #SingForNordoffRobbins https://t.co/yt5APxGrNs @HipgnosisSongs @LSEplc @openexc @YourSSE pic.twitter.com/Rqmq6Po9M0

— Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy (@NordoffRobbins1) December 10, 2020

The list of performers for the virtual concert includes Cliff Richard; Rod Stewart; Robbie Williams; Manic Street Preachers frontman James Dean Bradfield; Simple Minds; Neil Young; Tony Bennett; Kaiser Chiefs; Rebecca Ferguson; Freya Ridings; Jack Savoretti and soul songstress Mica Paris. There will also be appearances from Led Zeppelin troubadour Robert Plant, The Who’s Roger Daltrey and Coloradan pop-rockers OneRepublic.

The musical sets will be interspersed with traditional and topical Christmas readings from British stars of stage and screen. Speakers will include Bill Nighy; Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again and Rebecca star Lily James; actor, playwright and singer Kwame Kwei-Armah; Olivier Award winner Noma Dumezweni; and Freddie Fox.

Nordoff Robbins – founded in 1959 by Handsworth-born special education teacher Clive Robbins and American composer and pianist Paul Nordoff – helps provide therapy to music to those affected by life-limiting illness, isolation or disability. The charity works with  over 270 organisations across the UK; including schools, care homes, hospitals, mental health units, hospices, and neuro-rehab centres.

Previewing the gig this week, the charity’s Instagram page states: “Nordoff Robbins has been severely impacted by #COVID-19. Most of our fundraising activities have been cancelled, meaning we are expecting to lose over 50% of our income in 2020, putting music therapy at risk of stopping for the people who need it most. Our #SingForNordoffRobbins online Christmas concert will help raise vital funds for our music therapy.”

Host Nile Rodgers, the guitar behemoth behind the iconic sound of Chic and Sister Sledge, t0ld Music Week that he had a personal connection with the charity. He said “Nordoff Robbins music therapy is a charity close to my heart as I’ve witnessed the power of music first hand. I’ve seen how music connects with people all over the world in a way that nothing else can so when I heard that Nordoff Robbins were taking their annual carol service online, I jumped at the chance to host the event and to bring along some of my closest musical friends to help spread some Christmas cheer.”

The veteran hit-maker added “I know how hard this year has been for everyone, in particular charities. Because of the pandemic, Nordoff Robbins are expecting to lose much of their fundraising income. This means they are able to help less people, including children with autism who rely on music therapy for a sense of connection or those affected by life-limiting illnesses or disability – even though their services are needed now more than ever.“

Big winners at the event were Lewis Capaldi, who won The Best UK Artist Award and Biffy Clyro who picked up the Best Album Award for their album A Celebration Of Endings that came out in August of this year. They shared a video acceptance speech saying; “Thank you so much for the Scottish Music Award Album of the Year, it means a lot to us. When we started recording this record last year, I guess like everyone else, we had no idea what 2020 held in store, but you know what, the power of music and art feels more important than ever this year.”

Scottish band, Texas were honoured with The Icon Award. Frontwoman Sharleen Spiteri said in their acceptance speech that the award was “very, very special, especially after the amount of years as a band that we’ve been together.” She added: “To be given this and for everybody to think that we deserve it, it means a lot. To be relevant, still making records and be successful this far down the line, for over 30 years, we feel very very lucky.”

A very special acoustic performance from @LewisCapaldi was exactly what we needed this year

A longtime supporter of our music therapy work, Lewis wins the Best UK Award sponsored by @yourSSE #ScottishMusicAwards

Watch live https://t.co/GYIQc0PDUd pic.twitter.com/hnn978hiSz

— Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy (@NordoffRobbins1) November 28, 2020

Lewis Capaldi also shared a special at-home acoustic performance. There were also socially distanced performances from Amy Macdonald, Texas, Wet Wet Wet, Dougie Maclean, Luke La Volpe, HYYTS and more, they all also picked up awards on the night.

The awards show aim is for Scottish Artists to come together to raise money for Nordoff Robins, which is the UK’s largest independent music therapy charity, they use music to enrich the lives of people with life-limiting illnesses, disabilities and feelings of isolation. The charity expects to lose 50% of its income in 2020 due to the coronavirus.

Speaking on the event, Donald C MacLeod, chairman of the Nordoff Robbins Fundraising Committee Scotland said; “Like so many charities, Nordoff Robbins have been severely impacted by COVID-19 and we truly can’t thank everybody who came together to make this event happen enough. From Scottish music legends like Dougie MacLean and Wet Wet Wet, superstars like Lewis Capaldi and Biffy Clyro, and not to mention rising stars like Stephanie Cheape and Luke La Volpe – music has been a lifeline for so many of us during these unprecedented times and their support is so appreciated.”

A list of the winners is below.

Best UK Artist Award - Lewis Capaldi
Best Album Award – Biffy Clyro – A Celebration Of Endings
Icon Award – Texas
Women In Music Award – Amy Macdonald
Outstanding Contribution Award – Wet Wet Wet
Best Male Breakthrough Award – Luke La Volpe
Best Female Breakthrough Award – Kitti
Best Pop Act Award – HYYTS
Special Recognition Award – Dougie MacLean
Ambassadors of Rock Award – Gun
Nordoff Robbins Legends Award – George Bowie
Innovation Award – Graeme Park
Song Writing Award – Young Fathers

He adds, “We are gonna auction off these very Oreos that I have twisted, licked and dunked in aid of Nordoff Robbins, which is a charity that helps people through music”.

The senior brand manager of Mondelez, the company behind Oreo, Joanna Dias said. “We know that people love anything touched by someone famous, and as one of the most talked-about music stars of 2019, we felt Lewis Capaldi was the perfect choice to create a buzz around Oreo and the iconic ‘twist, lick, dunk’ ritual. We really hope Oreo and Lewis fans get behind us and start bidding so we can raise lots of money for Nordoff Robbins.”

Running with the theme of charity, earlier in July, a Chewbacca mask worn by Lewis Capaldi on stage during his gig at TRNSMT Festival in Glasgow sold for over £7,000. The ‘Someone You Loved’ singer sported the mask in response to a comment made by Noel Gallagher who compared him to the Star Wars character. The mask was placed on eBay by a DF Concerts employee, in a bid to raise money for Frightened Rabbit’s Tiny Changes charity. following the tragic death of the band’s frontman, Scott Hutchison. However, the initial bidder did not come through to purchase the mask, so it was subsequently purchased by Paolo Nutini for £10,000.

The single in question will be Down Boy, which he recorded with Bobbie Gordon, an electronic soul singer from London. The track will be restricted to limited copies, going on sale at the Bacardi pop up shop in London in December. Proceeds will go towards the Nordoff Robbins charity, which deals with people suffering from autism, dementia, mental health problems and other similar diseases and illnesses via music therapy. Their aim is to create a world where the power of music is available to all those in need of it.

It will be the first single of it’s kind, being the first song available to purchase having been made by a 3D printer. 3D printers hit headlines last year, when a firearms company announced it’s intentions to design a working plastic gun that could be downloaded and reproduced by anybody with a 3D printer. The announcement of a 3D single will combat the negativity and concern that was bought about by the firearm replica, although it is not expected that it will become a widespread thing, and singles and albums will continue to be mainly made physically, digitally and via vinyl. Vinyl has seen a revival lately, with approximately 700,000 sales made this year, it’s highest since 2001.