The Ivors sees the presentation of Ivor Novello Awards to recognise creative excellence in songwriting and screen composition.
2020 Winners Announced on Wednesday 2 September
The Ivors celebrates works by UK and Irish songwriters and screen composers.
Recognised as a pinnacle of achievement since they were first presented in 1956, an Ivor Novello Award celebrates exceptional craft in music creation. Each Award represents peer recognition with categories judged by those within the UK music creator community.
This is the 65th year Ivor Novello Awards have been presented at The Ivors. Originally taking place in May, the presentation of awards was postponed to September due to Covid 19. Winners across eight nominated categories as well as recipients of Songwriter of the Year 2019 and the Academy Fellowship were exclusively revealed by Matt Wilkinson on Apple Music 1 Radio.
Listen again to The Matt Wilkinson Show along with this year’s winning works, music from all the nominees and more on Apple Music: apple.co/TheIvors
An Academy Fellowship, the highest honour that The Ivors Academy bestows, recognises excellence and impact in the art and craft of music creation. This year has seen it awarded to Joan Armatrading MBE, in recognition of her peerless and enduring achievements in music.
Joan Armatrading’s four decades of superlative music-making has seen her release 21 albums, receive three Grammy nominations and become the first female British artist to debut at number 1 in the Billboard Blues chart.
Composed by Tom Hodge:
Published in the UK by BBC Studios Distribution Limited obo 72 Films Limited – Universal Music Publishing and Leland Originals Publishing – Decca Publishing:
Written by Mikkel Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen, Jimmy Napes and Sam Smith:
Performed by Sam Smith and Normani:
Published in the UK by EMI Music Publishing, Downtown Music Publishing, Stellar Songs – EMI Music Publishing and Naughty Words – Sony/ATV Music Publishing:
Written by Calvin Harris, Jamie Hartman, Rag ‘n’ Bone Man and Troy Miller:
Performed by Calvin Harris and Rag ‘n’ Bone Man:
Published in the UK by EMI Music Publishing, Reservoir Reverb Music, Warner Chappell Music and Bucks Music Group:
Written by Will Jennings and Steve Winwood:
Performed by Kygo x Whitney Houston:
Published in the UK by Universal Music Publishing and Kobalt Music Services Ltd obo F.S. Music Ltd:
Written by Lewis Capaldi, Jamie N Commons and Jamie Hartman:
Performed by Lewis Capaldi:
Published in the UK by BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing and Reservoir Reverb Music:
Written by Thomas Barnes, Lewis Capaldi, Peter Kelleher, Benjamin Kohn and Sam Roman:
Performed by Lewis Capaldi:
Published in the UK by BMG Rights Management (UK) Ltd and Sony/ATV Music Publishing:
Soul singer-songwriter Amahla has already garnered critical acclaim since releasing her debut EP ‘Consider This’ and performances at The Royal Albert Hall and Jazz Cafe. Amahla’s latest single ‘Apathy’ showcases her ability to influence society not only to reflect it.
Carmel Smickersgill is a composer based in Manchester working predominantly within classical and electronic genres. A Royal Northern College of Music graduate, she is also the recipient of the 2019 Christopher Brooks prize with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic.
Pop artist Griff plays, writes and largely produces her own music, blending soulful vocals with pop hooks over sparse atmospheric arrangements and beats. Her most recent single ‘Forgive Myself’ follows ‘Good Stuff’ and 2019’s EP ‘The Mirror Talk’.
Irish songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Daniel McIntyre is the talent behind musical project lullahush. A measure of the distance between ambience and pop, lullahush released ‘Elysium’ and ‘If Spring Had a Spare Room I’d Rent It With You’ in 2019.
Artist and songwriter Mysie released her debut EP ‘Chapter 11’ in 2019. Focused on the freedom music provides and rejecting genres and stereotypes, she has since dropped additional singles ‘Sweet Relief’, ‘Heartbeat’ and most recently, ‘Gift’.
The Ivor Novello Award for Songwriter of the Year has been presented since 1974 and recognises a writer whose creativity has made an identifiable impact on the award year.
This year’s recipient is songwriter Steve Mac, who co-wrote some of 2019’s stand out hits including Mabel’s ‘Don’t Call Me Up’ and ‘Mad Love’, ‘South Of The Border’ by Ed Sheeran featuring Camila Cabello and Cardi B, Westlife’s ‘Hello My Love’ and ‘Better Man’ and ‘Harder’ by Jax Jones and Bebe Rexha.
➡️ Swipe to watch video messages for Songwriter of the Year 2019 winner Steve Mac @rokstoneprod from @mabel @westlife’s @kianegan @nickybyrneinsta @shanefilanofficial and @iamtomwalker and @biffy_clyro’s Simon Neil.
Congratulations to the songwriters of Giant who have won an Ivor Novello Award for @PRSforMusic Most Performed work. Swipe ➡️ to see what @ragnbonemanuk @bensbrother1 and @troy__miller had to say on receiving their awards 🏆👏
In accepting the Ivor Novello Award @thehaxancloak praises everyone involved in Midsommar for allowing him to “write a score that was so true to myself” 🎼 💓
“I am so excited for the future and the music.” Big congratulations to @mmmmysie who is the winner of the first ever Rising Star Award with Apple Music 🌟👏
