O2 Silver Clef Awards

The O2 Silver Clef Awards 2022

On Friday 1st July 2022, the O2 Silver Clef Awards raised over £750,000 for Nordoff Robbins.

We are extremely grateful to the UK music industry and friends, for their invaluable support and generosity. Through fundraisers like these, together, we work towards a world where through music therapy, human potential is recognised regardless of profound disability, illness or social exclusion.

It is a pleasure year on year to celebrate and honour some of the greatest names in music. Over the 45+ years that we have been hosting the O2 Silver Clefs, we’ve raised nearly £12 million in funding for music therapy. Every penny of which has gone towards our vital work in music therapy; supporting and connecting with people living with life-limiting illness, disability and isolation.

Thank you to all who made this incredible achievement possible.

George Michael piano auction raises £200,000

At our 2022 O2 Silver Clef Awards, we had the immense privilege of hosting the auction of pop icon George Michael’s personal Bechstein piano.

We are delighted that the winning bid for this treasured instrument was a £200,000 donation to Nordoff Robbins. Special, heartfelt thanks go to George’s Estate for donating the piano to us to auction at the O2 Silver Clefs. We’d also like to thank our winning bidder for their generosity, and we hope their new piano brings them many years of joy.

Did you know that in 1989, George was honoured with a Silver Clef Award? During the Awards’ charity auction, his typical generosity saw him bid a substantial sum for a guitar – which he immediately gave straight back to be auctioned again the following year. We are so thankful to George, and George’s Estate, for their invaluable support over the years.

Our 2022 O2 Silver Clef Award Winners

Peter Gabriel, O2 Silver Clef Award

O2 Silver Clef Award sponsored by O2

“I’m delighted to receive the O2 Silver Clef award. I’ve always believed the role of music goes way beyond entertainment, and I’m convinced that sound and light have a critical role to play in therapies and healing in the future. It’s wonderful to see Nordoff Robbins using music to reach young people, who otherwise would feel much more isolated and vulnerable, and giving them a means of expressing their emotions. I’m working on a project called Reverberation – on the impact of music on the brain and body, so this award is very timely. I fully support Nordoff Robbins’ belief in exploring and expanding the positive role music can have for everyone in our society.”

– Peter Gabriel, O2 Silver Clef Award

Frankie Valli, Icon Award

Icon Award sponsored by American Express

“I’m thrilled to receive the American Express Icon Award. My life is all about music and that’s why I’m supporting Nordoff Robbins. Its trained music therapists provide sessions which can help people of all ages – whether a child with autism to communicate, unlock forgotten memories for those living with dementia or provide moments of peace for someone living with depression and anxiety. It’s vital this continues.”

– Frankie Valli

Jools Holland, Outstanding Achievement Award

Outstanding Achievement Award sponsored by Tysers

“I’m so pleased to be chosen for the Tysers Outstanding Achievement Award. I’ve worked with all kinds of musicians in my career, and Nordoff Robbins’ trained music therapists really understand that music evokes different responses in people who may not otherwise be able to connect with the world – for many, this can simply be life changing. I’m happy to add my support to a cause close to my heart.”

– Jools Holland

Becky Hill, Best Female Award

Best Female Award sponsored by Live Nation

“I feel so honoured to be receiving the Live Nation Best Female Award. Nordoff Robbins is an amazing charity working with kids and adults with mental and physical conditions every day. Music therapy is a really valuable tool to connect people who might feel disconnected from the world, and as someone who’s loved music from a young age, I’m glad to support their brilliant work.”

– Becky Hill

Tom Walker, Best Male Award

Best Male Award sponsored by AEG Presents

“I am totally buzzing to be receiving the AEG Presents Best Male award at this year’s O2 Silver Clef Awards! Music brings us together in such a unique way, it is a welcome distraction and a healing tool to so many people. That’s why I believe Nordoff Robbins’ work is so important – helping those who need it most to communicate.”

– Tom Walker

London Grammar, Best Group Award

Best Group Award sponsored by PizzaExpress Live

“We feel honoured to be accepting the PizzaExpress Live Best Group Award! Each of us have always found music to be the perfect form of self-expression, so we’re delighted to support Nordoff Robbins in their belief that music can be used for therapeutic benefit. Whether it’s to aid mental health or music therapy for autism, Nordoff Robbins continue to encourage the use of music to help people feel more whole.”

– London Grammar

Kano, Innovation Award

Innovation Award sponsored by Audiomovers

“Music and making music is my life. It is how I celebrate the good times, how I manage the tough times. It helps me try to make sense of both the joy and the madness of the world around me, my community, all of us. I can’t imagine a life without it. I have so much respect for Nordoff Robbins and what they do to support adults and kids all over the UK. And a huge thank you for the Audiomovers Innovation Award, it’s an honour.”

– Kano

Tems, International Award

International Award sponsored by Raymond Weil

“I am honoured to receive the Raymond Weil International award at this year’s O2 Silver Clefs. Nordoff Robbins understands how to reconnect people through music, whether playing, singing or simply feeling the rhythm. Music is such a massive part of my life and I’m proud to support this charity and its vital work.”

– Tems

Griff, New Music Award

New Music Award sponsored by Ticketmaster

“Receiving the Ticketmaster New Music Award is such an honour and it’s a privilege to be supporting the life changing work of Nordoff Robbins, a charity who helps those who need it most. Through music therapy, they help children affected by illness or disability find a sense of connection and joy. I’m very grateful to be a part of the awards this year.”

– Griff

Yungblud, Best Live Act Award

Best Live Act Award sponsored by Amazon Music

“Massive thanks for awarding me the Amazon Music best live act. I live for music and can see every time I perform how people respond. I know that Nordoff Robbins work is incredibly important as it is harnessing that power through its music therapy sessions so that all kinds of people – from children with Autism to older adults with dementia – can express themselves and communicate – sometimes for the first time.”

– Yungblud

Alexis Ffrench, Classical Award

Classical Award sponsored by PPL

“I’m so thrilled to be collecting the PPL Classical Award and to be supporting Nordoff Robbins to bring music therapy to even more people across the UK. Giving vulnerable children and adults the chance to express themselves through music is something close to my heart – music has been part of my world for as long as I can remember.”

– Alexis Ffrench

Why we do it

Since launching in 1976, the O2 Silver Clefs have raised nearly £12 million to support our music therapy; helping people like Matthew, Ava and Alman.

See more stories

The Silver Clef Awards - a little bit of history

For over 45 years the Silver Clefs have been a social highlight of the UK Music Industry. Honouring some of the greatest names in music history, whilst raising money to support Nordoff Robbins music therapy.

See an archive of the past winners here

Thank you to our sponsors in 2022 for making it all possible

See more about our 2022 sponsors here