Artists Get Loud for Nordoff Robbins

Get Loud, our national awareness day on 13 September, saw some of music’s top stars come together – including Jake Bugg, Level 42, Anne Marie, 67, Jackmaster with Ben UFO, and Youngr – to perform one-off shows in London, Manchester and Glasgow, raising funds and awareness for our life-changing music therapy services.

NE-YO gave his support to Get Loud, kindly donating free tickets to Nordoff Robbins supporters, therapists and beneficiaries from his gig at the O2 Apollo Manchester that evening.

Over 2000 guests attended the shows for the second year of Get Loud, supported by campaign sponsor SSE.

Caffé Nero also partnered with Get Loud, and hosted hundreds of in-store ‘Coffee Shop Session’ simultaneous performances at midday UK-wide, in their most ambitious music project yet. The sessions gave unsigned artists the chance to perform publically, with participating locations including London, Manchester, Leeds, Swansea, Huddersfield, Cheshire, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Star Sailor’s front man James Walsh played in the Covent Garden Caffé Nero store, Scottish singer-songwriter Horse McDonald performed in Glasgow, and rising star AJ Brown treated travellers passing through Heathrow Terminal 2 to a grand piano performance.

Our music therapists and beneficiaries also got involved, making a huge amount of noise for Get Loud by running open-mic nights, joining in with the Caffe Nero sessions, and raising awareness with our social media Headphone Challenge.  

Jake Bugg said: “I think Nordoff Robbins’ music therapy is very important. Most people have problems in their life and I think that music is a very powerful thing – if it can help in any way, then I think that’s brilliant.”

Annie-Marie said: “Nordoff Robbins music therapy is important because music touches everyone. It is a beautiful thing that they do. I always felt like music was there for me whenever I needed it, and the fact that they’re using it to help people through different situations is amazing.”

Mark King, of Level 42 added: “To be part of something that raises the profile of Nordoff Robbins as a charity, is an absolute joy and an honour.”

Claudia Winkleman is our Get Loud ambassador, alongside Evie, Ed, Eddie and Genesis, who live with unimaginable challenges – including cancer, head trauma, dementia and autism. Get Loud enables us to reach more people in more places and provide more services to those who need our support.

Speaking of his support for Nordoff Robbins, James Walsh said: “They do some great work around the country with so many people, helping them through music. Get Loud is important to me, because music is important to me. Music has been a big part of my life, it helps with various situations and it has definitely been therapeutic to me over the years.”

Julie Whelan, Chief Executive of Nordoff Robbins, added: “We know how powerful our music therapy can be – it can help some of the most vulnerable and isolated people communicate and connect with the world around them. For so many people we work with, music therapy is simply a lifeline. However, we receive no government funding, which is why campaigns like Get Loud are so crucial in helping us raise awareness and ensuring that we can reach all those who need us.”

get loud Photos 2017