The O2 Silver Clef Awards earlier this month brought music industry greats together to celebrate the power of music and to raise vital funds for Nordoff Robbins – to ensure they can continue providing music therapy to vulnerable children and adults across the UK.
Presenter Edith Bowman, hosted the star-studded 43rd O2 Silver Clef Awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, with blue carpet arrivals coverage presented by Nordoff Robbins supporter, Peter Andre.
Two legendary giants of music, Roger Waters of Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant were honoured for their contribution to music at the awards – Roger Waters was presented with the Nordoff Robbins O2 Silver Clef Award, while Robert Plant won the Integro Outstanding Award. Welsh rockers Stereophonics picked up the American Express Icon Award, while multi-platinum recording artist Ellie Goulding was awarded the Liz Hobbs Best Female Award and British singer, songwriter and musician George Ezra took home the AEG Presents Best Male Award.
Ellie Goulding said: “From a very early age, music was everything to me, the ultimate companion and often a way for me to express myself. The way Nordoff Robbins uses the power of music to bring everyone together is extraordinary. It creates this personal language so people can express themselves. I’m honoured to receive this award, thank you.”
George Ezra said: “I am honoured to be receiving the AEG Presents Best Male award at this year’s O2 Silver Clef Awards! Music is such a universal power for good and I’ve heard so much about the great work that Nordoff Robbins do – it’s an honour to support a charity who are dedicated to helping so many people through music.”
Irish rock band The Script were presented with the Raymond Weil International Award, classical duo Michael Ball and Alfie Boe received the PPL Classical Award, and Rudimental were awarded the Bose Innovation Award. R&B artist Jorja Smith collected the Amazon Music Best Newcomer Award. The Sky Best Group Award was awarded to alternative pop band Bastille.
The Script said: “We are honoured to receive the Raymond Weil International award at this year’s O2 Silver Clefs. We saw first-hand at a recent visit to Nordoff Robbins, the power of music therapy and we know from personal experiences how music can heal. So, to be supporting this charity through this event feels very special to us.”
Jorja Smith said: “Thank you so much. This means a lot. After I went to the Nordoff Robbins Music centre, I realised how important music really is. It removes a barrier and enables us to communicate with people in a different way. A huge thank you for this award.”
Fans have also been voting for their favourite artist in the Ticketmaster Best Live Act category with Harry Styles taking home the award which is sponsored by Ticketmaster and Live Nation.
Ticketmaster said: “As the largest live entertainment company in the world, we see the profound effect that music has on people every single day. We’re hugely proud to be involved with the Nordoff Robbins music therapy charity, supporting the incredible work that they do for thousands of people every single year.”
The O2 Silver Clef Awards 2018 raised a staggering £705,000 at the 2018 awards. Earlier this year, it was announced that Nordoff Robbins are set to benefit from a dedicated three-year charity partnership deal with long-term supporters, O2.
Gareth Griffiths, Head of Sponsorship, O2, commented; “O2 is incredibly proud of our association with Nordoff Robbins, now our fifteenth year as partner of the O2 Silver Clef Awards. As passionate live music fans, we love celebrating the work of the world’s most talented artists who grace the stages at The O2 and our O2 Academy venues nationwide. But we’re even bigger fans of the work Nordoff Robbins do delivering thousands of music therapy sessions every year in care homes, hospitals, schools and their own growing list of day centres around the UK. I’ve visited these Nordoff Robbins centres, and seen for myself just what an important part music, and the charity, play in people’s lives. Not just for those receiving the therapy, but their families too.”
Nordoff Robbins CEO Julie Whelan said: “The O2 Silver Clef Awards are one of the reasons why Nordoff Robbins is able to continue delivering life-changing music therapy to so many people facing some of the biggest challenges who desperately need our help. For 43 years this event has celebrated the best names in music, whilst raising over £10.5 million for our charity to date. We are forever grateful for the tremendous support it receives year on year.”
