The Charlatans frontman Tim Burgess, who also received an honorary prize, said an event like the Northern Music Awards was “a long time coming”.
Two newer indie bands were rewarded for recent success.
Rising Leeds stars English Teacher won newcomer of the year in the week their acclaimed debut album went into the top 10.
And The K’s, from Earlestown in Merseyside, whose own debut LP went top 10 last week, were named breakthrough act of the year.
Meanwhile, The Reytons, who have sold their independently-released albums from pop-up shops in Sheffield’s Meadowhall shopping centre, were given the award for disruptor of the year.
It was a good night for artists from Yorkshire, Manchester and Merseyside – but less so for the north-east, with Fender and rock band The Pale White the region’s only nominated acts.
Nadra Shah, Nordoff and Robbins director of engagement and communications, hopes the Northern Music Awards will be held in a different city every year.
She said: “If I were to be really bold, I’d say I’d love for it to become like the Brits of the North – an established award show that attracts the highest talent, the biggest names, and in doing so raises a shedload of money for the organisation and enables us to continue doing what we do, which is delivering music therapy to people that need it most.”
The charity is currently raising funds to open a dedicated music therapy centre in Salford.
