Record-Breaking Fundraiser for Music Therapy
The O2 Silver Clef Awards raised more than £780,000 for the music therapy charity Nordoff and Robbins during its 50th anniversary ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall. The event, which took place on July 13, 2026, brought together leading figures from across the music industry to celebrate artists' achievements while highlighting the growing demand for music therapy services.
P!NK Receives Top Honor
Superstar P!NK was presented with the flagship O2 Silver Clef Award, which recognizes artists who have made a generational impact on the music landscape. Accepting the award, P!NK said: "I feel so honoured to receive this award. I've always tried to use my voice, on and off stage, to advocate for the causes closest to my heart, and I'm proud to support an organisation that turns compassion into real action every single day."
A Night of Celebrity Honorees
Lily Allen received the Icon Award, while Jessie J was honored with the Outstanding Achievement in Music Award. Jessie J joked: "I think I won all my awards in 2010 in the space of three months," before paying tribute to Nordoff and Robbins. Melanie C, also known as Sporty Spice, collected the Global Impact Award, introduced by actor Richard E. Grant, who wore the same purple suit he wore in the Spice Girls movie to mark its 30th anniversary. Hugging Grant, Mel C said: "Clifford - aka Richard E Grant - was the only manager the Spice Girls didn't sack." She thanked her bandmates, saying: "I would not have the opportunity to be a solo artist if I wasn't a Spice Girl, so I have to thank Victoria, Melanie, Geri and Emma. I love you all dearly."
Other Winners and Achievements
The full list of honorees included James (Legend Award), Franz Ferdinand (Best Group Award), David Gray (Best Male Award), JADE (Best Female Award), Sam Fender (Best Live Act Award), Rachel Chinouriri (Best New Music Award), Ludovico Einaudi (Innovation in Music Award), and Max Richter (Contemporary Music Award).
Impact of Music Therapy
Nordoff and Robbins, founded by American composer Paul Nordoff and British special education teacher Clive Robbins, has raised more than £17 million over the past five decades. The charity's therapists work in care homes, dementia units, specialist therapy centres, and neuro-rehabilitation centres. Guests at the awards heard from Ed, a university student who suffered a brain injury after being hit by a taxi and spent six months in a non-responsive coma. Through music therapy with Nordoff and Robbins therapist Jessica, Ed reconnected with the world and left hospital 14 months later having learned to play the piano.
Fundraising and Future Demand
Chair of the Board of Trustees Emma Banks said: "Over 50 years, so much has changed in the world of music and in society, but what hasn't changed is this: music therapy puts people before systems, and dignity before diagnosis." She added: "The demand for music therapy is growing and the costs of delivering high quality work continue to rise. Fundraising events like this have always been a huge part of how we keep going, and we are so grateful to all of you." A live auction was also held to boost the charity total.
