Indie icons James will be presented with the Legend Award. The band recently achieved their first-ever UK Number 1 studio album with Yummy after four decades in the industry. Glasgow outfit Franz Ferdinand will take home the Best Group Award, following the international success of their latest album, The Human Fear. Renowned singer-songwriter David Gray will complete the new trio of honorees, receiving the Best Male Award.
“James has always tried to make a positive difference to people’s lives through music and love, so to be honoured by Nordoff and Robbins, a charity that shares our values, means the world to us,” James stated in a joint message. Franz Ferdinand added, “We’ve always believed in the power of music to change lives and hugely admire the support Nordoff and Robbins provides.” Gray expressed that being recognized is “incredibly special, especially knowing the life-changing power of their music therapy work.”
The O2 Silver Clef Awards serves as Nordoff and Robbins’ flagship fundraising event, generating over £17 million since 1976. The vital funds have helped the charity scale into a nationwide operation, delivering 48,000 music therapy sessions to 15,500 individuals in 2025 across UK schools, care homes, and hospitals.
“We are delighted to be honouring these three iconic UK artists… completing a stellar line-up of recipients in this historic 50th anniversary year,” said Maria Neophytou, CEO of Nordoff and Robbins.
The trio joins a stellar roster of previously announced 2026 winners, including P!NK, who will collect the headline O2 Silver Clef Award, alongside Sam Fender, Lily Allen, Melanie C, Jessie J, JADE, Rachel Chinouriri, Ludovico Einaudi, and Max Richter.
