Wasserman Music and UK music therapy charity Nordoff Robbins have announced the return of the music-inspired endurance event Music Mudder for a special fifth-anniversary edition.

Taking place on Friday 19 September in Dorking, Surrey, Music Mudder 2025 will see teams take on Camelot Events’ ‘Nuts Challenge’ obstacle course to raise funds for Nordoff and Robbins.

Running in teams of up to 10 people, competitors will tackle classic Music Mudder obstacles including the Bog of Doom, Rat Crawl, Kamikaze and River Crossing, as well as new obstacles in the works for 2025. Alongside the main event, there will be live music, free food and drink vendors, and exclusive raffle prizes up for grabs.

The 2024 edition of Music Mudder, hosted by broadcaster, presenter and content producer Ore Olukoga, raised over £75,000 for Nordoff and Robbins, with 540 people across 56 teams from all corners of the music industry taking on over 40 adrenaline-pumping obstacles at the legendary course.

ASM Global won the top prize for fundraising, with over £8,000 raised, Team Atlantic were the fastest overall team with an average time of 1 hour 18 minutes and 38 seconds and Oscar Tuttiett, competing on the ‘AEG Winners 2023 A’ team, completed the challenging 7km route in just 49 minutes 21 seconds to secure the fastest individual time.

“What better than to spend a day in the mud raising money for such a great cause”

“It’s an honour to represent such a worthwhile charity and to have Nordoff and Robbins as our national charity partner,” says Nicola Jackson, HR Director (UK Venues), ASM Global. “Having experienced first-hand the music therapy that is offered to those with challenges, we understand the difference it can make. Working within the music industry, we know just how powerful a connection music brings to people’s lives, so what better than to spend a day in the mud raising money for such a great cause.”

Sandy Trappitt, director of fundraising, Nordoff and Robbins, adds: “Music Mudder is one of the highlights of our year – it’s a chance for us to engage with future music industry leaders, get muddy and raise as much money as possible for Nordoff and Robbins. With our costs increasing across the board and demand for our services rising, support from our friends in the music industry is still crucially important to our cause. We’re so happy to be partnering with Wasserman Music again to bring you a special fifth-anniversary edition of this much-loved event. Sign up now!”

Lucy Putman, Agent, Wasserman Music, comments: “Raising £75,000 and having over 500 people join us for Music Mudder in 2024 was a huge milestone for us, but this year we want to go even bigger, with more money raised and more teams competing. This is a great chance to bond with colleagues in a team and enter into some friendly competition with peers, while raising money for this incredible charity. We have some surprises in the works for Music Mudder’s fifth anniversary, and we can’t wait to see everyone back out on the course.”

Nordoff and Robbins’ trained music therapists use music to break through the barriers caused by life-limiting illness, disability and social isolation. The charity reaches thousands of vulnerable people through their bases across the UK, and by working in partnership with organisations including care homes, schools and hospitals. Its work can be transformative, from an adult with dementia reconnecting with family, to a child with autism finding their voice.

The charity hopes to encourage at least 60 teams to register for Music Mudder 2025, raising enough to fund at least 1,000 music therapy sessions.

Teams of 10 cost £1,000, plus a minimum of £500 fundraising per team and can be booked by emailing [email protected] or via music-mudder.com.

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CAA’s Emma Banks has been appointed as chair of Nordoff and Robbins, the UK’s largest music therapy charity.

The agent and co-head of CAA’s London office/co-head of international touring replaces David Munns, who is stepping down after 30 years.

A longstanding supporter of Nordoff and Robbins, Banks has chairing the committee of the charity’s flagship O2 Silver Clef Awards for the past decade. She joined the Board of Trustees in 2019 and also sits on the Nordoff and Robbins Race Day committee.

In her role as chair, she will oversee Nordoff and Robbins’ mission of using music therapy to help break through the barriers caused by life-limiting illness, disability and social isolation.

As part of its new strategy, the charity will continue using music to address injustice across society, lobby for policy change on behalf of its clients – some of the most isolated children and adults across the UK – and encourage a more diverse pool of musicians to train as music therapists.

Supporting Banks in her new role is AEG Presents’ artistic director, Lucy Noble, who will take on the role of vice chair after joining the charity’s Board of Trustees in April this year. She replaces lawyer Howard Jones, who steps down after over 13 years of support.

“I embrace the responsibility of building on David’s legacy with the support of Lucy and the Board of Trustees”

Legendary music agent Neil Warnock, Trustee Board member and chair of the charity’s Fundraising Committee, is also stepping down from his trustee role at Nordoff and Robbins. He will continue to serve on various fundraising committees.

Emma Banks says: “It is a true honour to become chair of Nordoff and Robbins. The music industry has loyally supported and championed this vital charity for many years, and I embrace the responsibility of building on David’s legacy with the support of Lucy and the Board of Trustees, continuing this essential advocacy far into the future. We have an incredibly strong Board that we will be looking to add to in the coming months as our new strategy develops, and I welcome anyone who is interested in becoming involved with Nordoff and Robbins to reach out to me.”

David Munns comments: “I am delighted that Emma Banks and Lucy Noble have agreed to take over the chair and vice-chair positions at Nordoff and Robbins. After 12 years as a trustee and then the chair role I feel it is time for someone else to help steer this wonderful organisation. I have Nordoff and Robbins in my blood because we don’t just use music to entertain, we must also use the power of music to help those who find it difficult, if not impossible, to communicate any other way. There is a huge need for Nordoff and Robbins’ work and the people there are completely dedicated to making it available to as many people as possible – it’s a truly remarkable organisation. Emma and Lucy will make a huge contribution to the future of Nordoff and Robbins and they need your support.”

Lucy Noble adds: “In my time on the Board of Trustees at Nordoff and Robbins, I have seen first-hand the power of music to transform lives – from adults living with dementia reconnecting with their family, to children with autism finding their voice. I thank the Board for placing their trust in me to take on the role of Vice Chair and am excited to work with Emma as we enter a new phase for this increasingly important charity.”

Sandra Schembri, CEO, Nordoff and Robbins, says: “We are thrilled for Emma Banks to be stepping into the role of chair of Nordoff and Robbins, supported by the excellent Lucy Noble as vice chair. A hugely respected figure in the music industry and beyond, we are grateful for Emma’s time, presence and energy as we now leave the challenges of recent years behind and look ahead to a bright future.

“It is impossible to explain in just a few sentences the transformational impact that David Munns has had to Nordoff and Robbins in his time as a Trustee and Chair. From overseeing the merger with our Scottish sister organisation, and us becoming a UK-wide charity to weathering the storm of Covid-19 and making it through to the other side, alongside many, many unforgettable fundraising events and unwavering support for the clients we work with. We also owe both Howard Jones and Neil Warnock, a debt of gratitude and sincerely thank them for their focus on our mission.”

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Wasserman Music is issuing a final call for teams to participate in Music Mudder, a cross-industry endurance challenge in aid of Nordoff and Robbins.

The third annual edition will take place on Friday 15 September in the woodland of Dorking, Surrey, with more than 45 teams. Registration is open until Friday 11 August.

Live Nation, Atlantic Records, CAA, TikTok, Insanity, TaP Management and Ticketmaster are among the companies set to take on Camelot Events’ ‘Nuts Challenge’ obstacle course.

The 2022 edition of Music Mudder raised more than £55,000 for the charity, with Jelle Schotanus, competing on the UROK team, completing the 7km course in the fastest time of 52 minutes 18 seconds, while Atlantic Records took home the prize for the fastest team, with an average time of 1 hour, six minutes and seven seconds.

“This year we want to go even bigger and muddier, aiming to double the number of teams taking part”

This year, Wasserman is aiming to raise £100,000 to help Nordoff and Robbins continue to provide life-changing music therapy to those who need it most.

“We’re so excited to be putting on Music Mudder in partnership with our friends at Wasserman Music for the third time,” Sandy Trappitt, deputy director of fundraising, Nordoff and Robbins. “It was fantastic to see so many familiar albeit muddy faces on the course in 2022 and this year we want to go even bigger and muddier, aiming to double the number of teams taking part. All funds raised will go directly towards providing music therapy across the UK, helping people to connect and communicate through the power of music.”

The UK’s largest music therapy charity, Nordoff Robbins’ music therapists work with over 315 schools, hospitals, hospices and care homes, as well as providing sessions from the charity’s centres across the UK.

Teams of 10 cost £1,000, plus a minimum of £500 fundraising per team and can be booked by emailing [email protected] or via music-mudder.com.

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ASM Global has announced a new three-year partnership with Nordoff and Robbins, the UK’s largest music therapy charity.

The partnership will roll out across ASM Global’s portfolio of venues in the UK, which includes AO Arena, first direct Arena, Utilita Arena Newcastle, Olympia London, OVO Arena Wembley, York Barbican, Bonus Arena and more.

According to a release, visitors to the venue and venue teams will be engaged in driving fundraising initiatives and activations as well as in opportunities to educate themselves.

ASM Global and Nordoff and Robbins will join forces to raise funds to expand the charity’s services to more children and adults across the UK, and protect current and future funding for music therapy delivery, education and research.

This partnership is supported by ASM Global’s corporate social responsibility platform, ASM Global Acts, which launched in October 2021 to protect the environment, invest in people and strengthen communities around the globe.

Nordoff and Robbins’ trained music therapists “use the power of music to break through the barriers caused by life-limiting illness, disability and social isolation, creating space for people to express themselves and find connection in society”.​

“We have always admired the exceptional work of Nordoff and Robbins”

The charity reaches thousands of vulnerable people annually through their bases across the UK, and by working in partnership with organisations including care homes, schools and hospitals. Its work can be transformative, from an adult with dementia reconnecting with family, to a child with autism finding their voice.

“We have always admired the exceptional work of Nordoff and Robbins,” says Chris Bray, EVP of Europe at ASM Global. “As a live entertainment experiences business, we are committed to making music accessible and through this new partnership we have the opportunity to work alongside a leading, ground-breaking charity to deliver just that.”

“On behalf of all at ASM Global, we are very much looking forward to getting started in what we hope to be a long and successful partnership with Nordoff and Robbins, bringing music therapy and all of its lifechanging benefits to people around the UK who need it the most.”

Sandra Schembri, CEO, Nordoff and Robbins, adds: “We are truly delighted and grateful to be partnering with ASM Global for the next three years. Having the support of their network of amazing venue teams to help amplify Nordoff and Robbins’ mission to millions of visitors nationwide, will be an enormous boost to our fundraising activity. We look forward to working with ASM Global on a whole host of exciting initiatives and activations throughout this extensive partnership, with all money raised going directly towards making music therapy accessible to even more people across society.”

ASM Global and Nordoff and Robbins formally announced their partnership on Tuesday 28 February at ILMC. A team of Nordoff and Robbins’ music therapists attended to deliver a music therapy workshop to ASM Global teams, offering a chance to see first-hand, the work that they do with such outstanding results.

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Talent agency Wasserman Music and UK music therapy charity Nordoff Robbins have announced the return of cross-industry competition Music Mudder for 2023.

Taking place on Friday 15 September in the woodland of Dorking, Surrey, the music-inspired endurance event will see teams from across the industry take on Camelot Events’ ‘Nuts Challenge’ obstacle course to raise funds for Nordoff Robbins.

The 2022 edition of Music Mudder raised more than £55,000 for the charity, with Jelle Schotanus, competing on the UROK team, completing the 7km course in the fastest time of 52 minutes 18 seconds, while Atlantic Records took home the prize for the fastest team, with an average time of 1 hour, six minutes and seven seconds.

Teams of 10 cost £1,000, plus a minimum of £500 fundraising per team and can be booked by emailing [email protected] or via music-mudder.com.

“Sign up now and join us for some more mud, sweat and cheers, all for a hugely worthy cause”

“Music Mudder is a great opportunity for colleagues from across the music industry to hang out, beat the post-festival season blues, get muddy and raise money, with a little friendly competition thrown in for good measure,” says Wasserman agent Lucy Putman. “We raised over £55,000 for Nordoff Robbins last year, which is an incredible achievement, but we’re hoping to smash that total in 2023. Sign up now and join us for some more mud, sweat and cheers, all for a hugely worthy cause.”

Teams will tackle challenging obstacles including the Commando Assault, Tunnel Rats, A Bridge Too Far and a whole host of new obstacles for 2023. Alongside the main event, there will be live music, a selection of food vendors, refreshing drinks and raffle prizes, with a medal, showers, changing facilities, lockers and shuttle buses from Dorking station provided for all team members.

The UK’s largest music therapy charity, Nordoff Robbins’ music therapists work with over 315 schools, hospitals, hospices and care homes, as well as providing sessions from the charity’s centres across the UK.

“We’re so excited to be putting on Music Mudder in partnership with our friends at Wasserman Music for the third time,” says Nordoff Robbins’ head of partnerships Sandy Trappitt. “It was fantastic to see so many familiar albeit muddy faces on the course in 2022 and this year we want to go even bigger and muddier, aiming to double the number of teams taking part. All funds raised will go directly towards providing music therapy across the UK, helping people to connect and communicate through the power of music.”

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Talent agency Wasserman Music and UK music therapy charity Nordoff Robbins have announced the return of music-inspired endurance event Music Mudder.

Teams from across the music industry will take part in the “ultimate UK mud run” at Camelot Events’ obstacle course in Dorking on Friday 2 September, which follows off the back of the successful inaugural edition in 2019, which raised £64,000.

Teams of 10 cost £1,000, plus a minimum of £500 fundraising per team and can be booked by contacting Wasserman Music’s Lucy Putman at [email protected]. Alongside the main event, there will be live music and a selection of food and drink.

“After the success of the inaugural event in 2019, we are so excited to be bringing back Music Mudder this year – bigger, better and muddier than ever before,” says Wasserman Music agent Lucy Putman. “Whether teams are competitive or joining just for fun, this is a great way to beat the post-festival season blues, whilst raising funds to help Nordoff Robbins keep offering their amazing music therapy and promote the value of music for all people in society.”

“We invite our friends from across the music world to team up with colleagues”

Nordoff Robbins’ music therapists work with work children and adults affected by life limiting illness such as dementia, learning disabilities including autism, physical disability and mental health issues at over 270 schools, hospitals, hospices and care homes, as well as providing sessions from its centres across the UK.

“Partnering with the fantastic team at Wasserman Music, we invite our friends from across the music world to team up with colleagues and join us for a packed day of entertainment, adventure and world-class obstacles, all to support Nordoff Robbins in our mission to provide music therapy, helping people to connect and communicate,” says head of partnerships, Nordoff Robbins, Sandy Trappitt,

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Donald MacLeod, a stalwart in Scotland’s live music industry, has been appointed an MBE for his services in music and charity.

Alongside his roles as MD of Holdfast Entertainment Group, promoter at CPL, and owner of Glasgow-based clubs The Garage and the Cathouse Rock Club, MacLeod been touted as an “integral part and driving force” of Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy in Scotland.

MacLeod previously acted as co-chair of the board of management and chairman of fundraising, and continues to play a key role as chairman of the charity’s Scottish fundraising and events committee, responsible for delivering the long-running Scottish Music Awards (SMAs).

“I am delighted and quite humbled at being chosen to receive such a distinguished accolade. Music has been my life’s work and passion, and throughout most of my career Nordoff Robbins and the fantastic work it carries out in Scotland has been a great source of pride and inspiration,” says MacLeod.

“I would like to thank everyone involved in the charity: the beneficiaries, the therapists, fellow board and committee members, fundraisers and all those who nominated me. I regard this award as a deserved recognition of their hard work, fortitude and endeavour, and of course support, which has been as vital as it has been valued.”

“Nordoff Robbins and the fantastic work it carries out in Scotland has been a great source of pride and inspiration”

Sandra Schembri, chief executive of Nordoff Robbins said: “On behalf of the whole team at Nordoff Robbins, we’d like to congratulate Donald on being awarded his MBE.

“Donald has been a champion for those we support and has devoted a huge amount of his time and energy to the charity to help raise vital funds for us to continue to support some of the most vulnerable and isolated members of our society.

“His ongoing commitment to Nordoff Robbins in Scotland has made a huge difference. We are so grateful for his uniting people through the power of music to help those that need it most.”

During his time with Nordoff Robbins, McLeod has helped to oversee growth in music therapy provision and attract funding for its work through events, corporate partnerships, and his significant network of contacts in the music industry.

Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy is the largest independent music therapy charity in the UK, dedicated to enriching the lives of people affected by life-limiting illness, isolation or disability.

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A virtual charity concert will be aired later this month to mark the 25th anniversary of the 21,000-capacity Manchester Arena, the largest indoor arena in the UK.

Taking place on Friday 17 July from 8 p.m., the pre-recorded event will feature Lionel Richie, Alice Cooper, Tim Burgess, Emeli Sandé and the Hoosiers, and will be broadcast across the arena’s social media channels to celebrate reaching the quarter-century milestone.

The event, which is organised in conjunction with Future Agency, will also raise money for local organisations including homeless shelter the Booth Centre, cancer treatment specialist the Christie and community-focused charity Forever Manchester, as well as music therapy charity Nordoff Robbins.

“Our 25th anniversary celebrations were set to be very special indeed”

Each charity will receive 25% of the money raised. Donations can be made here.

“Our 25th anniversary celebrations were set to be very special indeed,” says James Allen general manager of the ASM Global-operated arena.

“However during this period of pause, we have adapted the format to ensure that we can deliver an evening of top quality entertainment to your home, so everyone can enjoy the celebrations without leaving the house.”

Since opening in 1995, Manchester Arena has hosted acts including Beyonce, Chris Rock, U2, Kylie Minogue, Take That, Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson and The Rolling Stones.

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Registration is now open for Music Mudder 2020, the second edition of the UK industry charity event, taking place on Friday 11 September, organisers announced today.

“We are incredibly excited to announce that Music Mudder is set to return on Friday 11 September 2020,” explains Paradigm booker and Music Mudder spokesperson Lucy Putman. “We have a brand new site in Surrey, where you can expect a more challenging course, with some exciting new obstacles, and a little less running – but with a lot more water and mud!”

A limited number of team spaces are available for Music Mudder 2020. Full details are available from the event website, www.music-mudder.com.

Taking place on the morning of 13 September, the inaugural Music Mudder consisted of a 10km (6.2mi) run and 20 military-style obstacles. Originally conceived as a team-building exercise by Paradigm agent Tom Schroeder, it soon grew into a wider event, with companies sending teams of ten to compete at Bromley Golf Centre in south London.

“With nine months to go, it’s the perfect excuse to get training, limber up, and begin fundraising”

Companies from across the British music industry, including live businesses AEG Presents, CAA, Columbo Group, Dice, Echo Location Talent, ITG, Kilimanjaro Live, Live Nation, Solo Agency, UTA and WME, took part in Music Mudder 2019.

“For the second year running, the event is in aid of the wonderful music therapy charity Nordoff Robbins, who focus on enriching the lives of people with life-limiting illnesses, disabilities and feelings of isolation with the power of music,” continues Putman.  “We raised a staggering £62,000 in 2019, and hope to smash that amount in 2020.

“With nine months to go, it’s the perfect excuse to get training, limber up and begin fundraising. It promises to be a brilliant day!”

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As we enter the new decade, IQ caught up with leaders from the global live music business to reflect upon the development of the industry over the past ten years, as well as looking forward to what we can expect in the 2020s.

In the near future we’ll share the insights of execs including CAA’s Emma Banks, Frontier Touring’s Michael Gudinski, Oak View Group’s Tim Leiweke, AEG’s Jay Marciano and more. In the hot seat, first, though, is Neil Warnock MBE, global head of touring for United Talent Agency, who talks global touring’s ups and downs, the importance of fan experience and his personal decade highlights…

IQ: The role that agents play in artists’ careers has undoubtedly changed over the last ten years. Considering the advent of global touring, and the various new income streams available to artists, how do you see this role evolving?

NW: Global touring is not a new phenomenon. It has been in place one way or another since before Michael Cohl became the promoter of the Rolling Stones. Elvis Presley, although he did not come to Europe, signed a global touring deal.

Global touring has its advantages and disadvantages. I always want my artists to play to their strengths for the promoters they are working with. In confirming global deals, it’s essential that the strength of each promoter in each market is evaluated, not only financially which can be an issue, but also ensuring that venues and marketing are strategically considered so that an artist can be taken forward in their aspirations.

Streaming has become a more sophisticated marketing tool along with all other social elements available to each artist, but essentially these should be viewed as extra add-ons available to artists, and not the be-all and end-all of making touring decisions. Our UTA IQ department is extremely useful when it comes to evaluating the data available to our artists.

In confirming global deals, it’s essential that the strength of each promoter in each market is evaluated

Consolidation has been a constant theme of this decade. Looking ahead, how do you see the balance between the industry’s key corporations and the remaining independent players?

Consolidation in the industry is interesting. When we see labels, agencies, managers consolidate, it also throws up a number of independents. My view is that it’s great to have both.

Consolidated companies give managers what they want but some managers like to have an independent view over the lives and professional status of an artist.

What more could the constituent parts of the music industry be doing to deliver a better proposition to both artists and fans?

The constituent parts of the music business being live, recording, publishing, merchandise, branding – all these elements should be fused together by good management and we should all work together so that our artists are getting the best service from each area. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always happen.

Topics such as inclusion, diversity and mental health are commonly discussed these days. How is the live business shaping up compared to other sectors?

The fact that these topics are out in the open and are being discussed is fantastic and we are now seeing that the industry is working hard to continue to drive awareness to these areas.

Consolidated companies give managers what they want, but some managers like to have an independent view

UTA is a company that believes that diversity and inclusion are fundamental to our success as a business. This year we launched our employee-led, company-funded Employee Inclusion Groups (UTA Proud, Unity, Wellness and Women’s Interest). Two of our last three board appointments, Blair Kohan and Tracey Jacobs, have been women, and we are the first major talent agency ever to name a woman, Lyndsay Harding, as our CFO.

Looking ahead, what do you perceive will be the biggest challenges for the live music sector in the 2020s?

In my opinion, the touring outlook for artists is looking good. The challenges are to ensure artists give value for money to customers, and to ensure that the fan experience is outstanding so that a customer will want to come back and see that artist for another show.

What are your own personal highlights from the last decade?

I have many highlights from over the years, but from the last decade I would have to say the highlight that jumps immediately to mind is Dolly Parton live at Glastonbury in 2014.

Additionally, the tremendous steps that Nordoff Robbins have made as a charity and on a personal note, being awarded an MBE was tremendous for myself and my family.

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