Lola Young, Elton John, Rosalía Among Honorees at 2026 Ivor Novello Awards

The 2026 Ivor Novello Awards took place in London on Thursday (May 21) with a number of greats recognized for their songwriting achievements.

Elton John , Linda Perry , Rosalía , Sam Fender , Lily Allen , Radiohead ’s Thom Yorke , Calvin Harris and more were all on hand to collect the prestigious prize, which Ivors Academy CEO Roberto Neri likened to the “Oscars equivalent” for songwriters in an interview with Billboard U.K. Presented by The Academy, one of the largest professional associations for music writers in Europe, the prizes are judged by a panel of songwriters and composers.

First awarded in 1956, previous winners include Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, David Bowie, Adele, RAYE, Bruce Springsteen, Brian Wilson, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, Lana Del Rey, Lou Reed and Elton John. In 2025, U2 was recognized with the highest honor and inducted into the Academy Fellowship.

Held at The Grosvenor House in Mayfair, the ceremony saw a number of honorary awards handed out alongside nominated categories.

Linda Perry was presented with the international songwriter award by James Blunt, while Rosalía became the inaugural winner of the international songwriter of the year prize.

Sam Fender collected songwriter of the year from Elton John. The honor arrives amid continued success for “Rein Me In,” his collaborative song with Olivia Dean. The song is currently in its 11th nonconsecutive week at No. 1 on the U.K.’s Official Singles Charts.

John, in turn, was honored by the academy and named as The Ivor’s Academy first-ever president by the academy’s chair Tom Gray.

Almost 10 years after his passing, George Michael posthumously received the Fellowship of the Academy prize, the Ivors’ highest honor, with his WHAM! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley on hand to accept the honor on his behalf.

Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke also received a fellowship prize from special guest Harry Styles. Lily Allen earned the outstanding song collection prize in recognition of her oeuvre, though she was not on hand to collect the trophy.

Calvin Harris was presented with the icon award, while grime legend Kano received the visionary award.

In the nominated categories, CMAT triumphed in the best album category with third album EURO-Country , while Kae Tempest, Jacob Alon, Lola Young and more were among the winners. See the full winners list below.

Best album

Black British Music , written by Jim Legxacy and Joe Stanley, performed by Jim Legxacy. Published in the UK by Sony Music Publishing and Kobalt Music Publishing

WINNER: Euro-Country, written and performed by CMAT. Published in the UK by BMG Rights Management UK.

The Art of Loving , written by Olivia Dean, Bastian Langebaek and Max Wolfgang, performed by Olivia Dean. Published in the UK by Sony Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing obo Goldfish Records and Kobalt Music Publishing obo Alveron Music.

The Clearing , written by Joff Oddie and Ellie Rowsell, performed by Wolf Alice. Published in the UK by Sony Music Publishing.

West End Girl, written by Lily Allen, Chloe Angelides, Kito and Blue May, performed by Lily Allen. Published in the UK by Sony Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing obo Chloe Angelides Publishing-Where Da Kasz At and BMG Rights Management UK.

Best contemporary song

“Damascus,” written by Damon Albarn, Yasiin Bey and Omar Souleyman performed by Gorillaz feat. Omar Souleyman and Yasiin Bey. Music published in the UK by Sony Music Publishing, Pop-Up Music Publishing and Domino Publishing Company

“Free,” written by Alex Bonfanti, Miles Clinton James and Little Simz performed by Little Simz. Music published in the UK by Universal Music Publishing and Sony Music Publishing

“I Do and I Don’t Care,” written by Johan Hugo and Self Esteem performed by Self Esteem. Music published in the UK by Warner Chappell Music and Reservoir Media Management obo Blue Raincoat Music Publishing

WINNER: “I Stand on the Line,” written by Fraser T Smith and Kae Tempest performed by Kae Tempest. Music published in the UK by Warner Chappell Music and Domino Publishing Company

“Know Yourself,” written by Tom Rowlands, Fraser T Smith and Kae Tempest performed by Kae Tempest. Music published in the UK by BMG Rights Management UK, Warner Chappell Music and Domino Publishing Company

Best song musically and lyrically

WINNER: “Don’t Fall Asleep,” written and performed by Jacob Alon. Music published in the UK by Concord Music Publishing.

“Everybody Scream,” written by Mark Bowen, Mitski and Florence Welch, performed by Florence + The Machine. Music published in the UK by Kobalt Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music obo Songs by Mitski Publishing and Universal Music Publishing obo Florence + The Machine Ltd.

“Focus Is Power,” written by Johan Hugo, Self Esteem and Jacob Vetter, performed by Self Esteem. Music published in the UK by Warner Chappell Music, Reservoir Media Management obo Blue Raincoat Music Publishing and Kobalt Music Publishing obo TruSauce Pub Co.

“The Sofa,” written by Ellie Rowsell, performed by Wolf Alice. Music published in the UK by Sony Music Publishing.

“Weeds,” written by Tove Burman, Anya Jones and Jon Shave, performed by Sugababes. Music published in the UK by Warner Chappell Music obo MXM Music and Kobalt Music Publishing obo Spirit Music Group.

PRS for music most performed work

“Man I Need,” written by Olivia Dean, Tobias Jesso Jr. and Zach Nahome, performed by Olivia Dean. Music published in the UK by Sony Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing and Concord Music Publishing

WINNER: “Messy,” written and performed by Lola Young. Music published in the UK by Sony Music Publishing

“Stargazing,” written by Peter Fenn, Jesse Fink and Myles Smith, performed by Myles Smith. Music published in the UK by Kobalt Music Publishing obo Songs by 308 Publishing-Where Da Kasz At, Lyric Global Copyright Services Crescendo obo Arcade Artists Publishing-Jesse Fink Publishing-Spirit One Music Crescendo and Sony Music Publishing

“The Days,” written and performed by Chrystal. Music published in the UK by Sony Music Publishing

“Viva La Vida,” written by Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Chris Martin, performed by Coldplay. Music published in the UK by Universal Music Publishing

Rising star with Amazon Music

Chloe Qisha

Divorce (Tiger Cohen-Towell, Felix Mackenzie-Barrow, Adam Peter-Smith and Kasper Sandstrøm)

WINNER: Jacob Alon

Kwn

Skye Newman

Best original film score

Bugonia , composed by Jerskin Fendrix. Music published in the UK by Universal/MCA Music Ltd obo Focus-Gramercy Music.

Dragonfly , composed by Raffertie. Music published in the UK by Universal Music Publishing.

Nosferatu , composed by Robin Carolan. Music published in the UK by Universal/MCA Music Ltd obo Focus-Gramercy Music.

WINNER: Testimony , composed by Tom Hodge. Music published in the UK by Bucks Music Group obo Rocliffe Ltd.

The Brutalist , composed by Daniel Blumberg. Music published in the UK by Warner Chappell Music.

Best television soundtrack

Adolescence , composed by Aaron May and David Ridley. Music published in the UK by BMG Rights Management UK obo Maisie Anthems

Lazarus , composed by Sarah Warne. Music published in the UK by Universal/MCA Music Ltd obo Amazon Content Services.

Summerwater , composed by Gazelle Twin. Music published in the UK by Sony Music Publishing and District 6 Music Publishing Ltd.

This City Is Ours , composed by Rael Jones. Music published in the UK by Sony Music Publishing obo Twenty Fifteen Avenue Music Inc.

WINNER: Trespasses , composed by David Holmes and Brian Irvine. Music published in the UK by Sony Music Publishing obo All3media International.

PRS for music icon award

Calvin Harris

Special international award

Linda Perry

Outstanding song collection

Lily Allen

Visionary award with Amazon Music

Kano

Academy Fellowship

George Michael

International songwriter of the year

Rosalía

Songwriter of the year with Amazon Music

Sam Fender

Academy Fellowship

Thom Yorke

The Ivors Academy Honor

Elton John

_Originally reported by [Billboard](https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2026-ivor-novello-awards-winners-list-1236253242/)._