Winners included Louis Tomlinson from Doncaster, named artist of the year, and The Courteeners from Manchester, named band of the year.

The Courteeners' 2008 debut album reached number one in 2023 after being reissued.

Organizers hope this event will become the "Brits of the North." A man expressed the need for an awards ceremony in Manchester to recognize local acts.

He acknowledged the "us and them" mentality but saw it as a celebration.

The event was organized by Nordoff and Robbins, a music therapy charity, and featured awards for Mancunian rapper Aitch for music moment of the year and his manager Michael Adex for industry icon at the young age of 27.

Manchester DJ Paulette, one of two women with a monthly residency at the iconic Hacienda nightclub, was named DJ of the year.

Melanie C from Liverpool received a special recognition award following her Spice Girls reunion.

Rochdale's Lisa Stansfield, famous for hits like "All Around the World" and "People Hold On," took the northern icon award.

Both Stansfield and Paulette expressed feelings of apprehension about the titles bestowed upon them.