大象传媒

Alongside the usual annual awards for such things as Best Album and Best Breakthrough Act, the magazine also has awards for what some might see as greater honours, such as the Idol and Icon awards, and it was in these categories that there were several wins for the Mancunian acts.

Ian Brown

The Verve, who recently reformed for a series of gigs at the end of the year, took the Classic Album gong for Urban Hymns, which celebrates its tenth anniversary this year.

Alongside them, there was a Lifetime Achievement Award for the ever impressive Johnny Marr and a Legend gong for Ian Brown, who recently released his fifth solo album, The World Is Yours, to critical acclaim.

But the most poignant moment was when the title of Q Hero was awarded to the late Anthony Wilson. The gong was collected on his behalf by his children Oliver and Isobel.