Sam Fender, Rosalía and Jacob Alon were among the big winners at this year’s Ivor Novello Awards, as Sir Elton John received a special honour.
Geordie singer Fender accepted the prestigious prize, with officials saying he had become one of “the defining voices in modern British music and storytelling”.
Catalan superstar Rosalía was presented with international songwriter of the year, while Scottish alt-folk singer Alon beat off competition from Self Esteem and Wolf Alice to win best song musically and lyrically for their song Don’t Fall Asleep.
Sir Elton was also honoured as he was announced as the Ivors Academy’s first-ever president.
The Ivor Novello Awards, are coveted in the UK music industry because they specifically recognise the importance of songwriting.
Fender, known for albums including People Watching and Seventeen Going Under, was praised by the Academy for his “sharp social commentary and emotionally honest songwriting”.
Catalan superstar Rosalía was presented with a new award, international songwriter of the year, after breaking through with her genre-melding, neo-classical and multi-lingual album Lux.
The Ivors Academy said she had “pushed the boundaries of global songwriting and experimental pop”.
As she accepted her award, on stage at London’s Grosvenor House, she took the opportunity to stand up for more diverse songwriting voices.
She stated that there are “countless outstanding writers which will not be recognised as they deserve because they aren’t middle-class white Europeans, whose upbringing has been sufficiently stable for them to turn a hint of talent into a successful career.”
Lily Allen, who returned last year to great acclaim with her revealing, tell-all hit breakup record, West End Girl, received the outstanding song collection award.
The academy said she had “built one of the most distinctive catalogues in British music across the last two decades” with tracks like Smile, LDN and Madeline, that have had “a lasting impact on British pop culture and songwriting”.
Alon took home two awards including rising star, and 4 Non Blondes singer and guitarist Linda Perry received the special international award.
The music icon award was presented to DJ and producer Calvin Harris for “helping shape the sound of contemporary dance and pop over the last two decades”.
Harris, known for his collaborations with stars including Dua Lipa and Rihanna, is, they said, one of the most “impactful producers and songwriters of his generation”.
The Scottish DJ and songwriter made us all feel old by joking that his prospective DJ career had begun by adding his now colleague as a friend on MySpace (remember that, anyone?).
He then thanked his wife, presenter Vick Hope, for, well, “marrying me”.
‘Don’t let people take it away from you, especially AI’
In a special moment, Lola Young – whose track Messy was marked as the most performed work – presented Sir Elton with a special honour for his “outstanding work championing songwriters, composers, and creativity across the music industry”.
In his new role as the Ivors Academy’s first president, Sir Elton will now represent its “global community of songwriters and composers, championing the value of music creation and advocating for the rights and recognition of music creators worldwide”.
Sir Elton was quick to highlight his pride of UK music stating that “we’re an amazing country that produces great songwriting.”
A recurring theme of the night was the discussion among musicians and music industry figures about the use of AI in music and songwriting.
Among those to address this was Sir Elton who told the audience that, “No matter what kind of music you write, it’s yours, you own it… It came from your soul, it means a hell of a lot to you.
“And don’t let people take it away from you, especially AI.”
George Michael tribute
In 2004, Sir Elton was awarded fellowship of the Ivors Academy, and his old collaborator, the late George Michael, also had that honour bestowed upon him on Thursday – 10 years after his death.
The Wham! and solo pop star, who died in 2016 aged 53, joined a host of famous fellowship inductees including Bruce Springsteen and also U2, from last year’s ceremony.
The songwriting academy’s highest accolade recognises “excellence and impact in the art and craft of music creation”.
His Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley, collecting the award on his behalf, said that “George would have been profoundly moved to be recognised in this way”.
He added that it was Michael’s songwriting that “was the window to his soul, and it was the skill and discipline that he felt distinguished him more than anything else.”
Also being awarded the Fellowship was Radiohead’s lead singer Thom Yorke.
Surprise guest Harry Styles presented the award to Yorke calling it “a terrifying honour.”
However it was his more playful confession about Yorke’s track Talk Show Host that prompted one of the biggest laughs of the night from the audience, with Styles revealing that he had “lost his virginity” to the track.
Before quickly clarifying: “Well, the intro to Talk Show Host.”
UK rapper and actor Kano was recognised with the visionary award, highlighting his “lasting impact on British music and culture”. It was handed to by his Chapter 16 collaborator and Top Boy co-star Dave.
The Ivors acknowledged Kano as “one of the UK’s most influential artists, helping shape the legacy of grime through acclaimed albums including Made in the Manor and Hoodies All Summer.”
In his acceptance speech, Kano thanked his mum, “for babysitting right now”.
He added: “Anyway, thank you Ivors and to everyone in the room. Keep the craft going. Respect to the craft”.
Other big winners on the night included Kae Tempest, whose tracks I Stand on the Line + Know Yourself split the vote for best contemporary song.
And best album winner, Irish Euro-Country singer CMAT, who joked it was “nice to finally win an award in England”.
The Ivor Novello winners in full:
Songwriter of the year
International songwriter of the year
Academy Fellowship
Music icon award
Best album
Best contemporary song
Best song musically and lyrically
Most performed work
Rising star
Best original film score
Best television soundtrack
Outstanding song collection
Special international
Visionary award
