Latest news with #2025IvorNovelloAwards
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
U2's Bono Calls for Hamas to ‘Release the Hostages, Stop the War' During Ivor Novello Awards Speech
Bono is tired of the broken bottles under children's feet and bodies strewn across the dead-end street, so he called for the Israel-Hamas war to stop during U2's induction into the Ivor's Fellowship Academy at the Ivor Novello Awards ceremony in London on Thursday (May 22). The singer-songwriter's message came as he introduced the band's acoustic performance of its 1983 hit 'Sunday Bloody Sunday,' about the January 1972 massacre that saw British soldiers fire upon protesters in Derry, Northern Ireland, killing 14 unarmed people. More from Billboard U2, Robbie Williams, Charli xcx, Lola Young & More Honored at 2025 Ivor Novello Awards: Winners List Rob49 on Viral Stardom, 'Let Me Fly,' Collab Album With G Herbo & Making Music With Justin Bieber Preston Cooper on Offering Genuine Strength in 'Weak,' His First Radio Release 'I used to introduce this next song by saying it wasn't a rebel song,' Bono began. 'Believing in the possibilities of peace was then and is now a rebellious act — and some would say a ridiculous one. To believe peace was attainable between your country and ours, between our country and itself, was a ridiculous idea because peace creates possibilities in the most intractable situations, and lord knows theres a few of them out there right now.' 'Hamas, release the hostages, stop the war,' the Irish rocker continued. 'Israel, be released from Benjamin Netanyahu and the far-right fundamentalists that twist your sacred texts. All of you protect our aid workers, they are the best of us!' Hamas launched an attack on Israel Oct. 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people and taking more than 250 others as captives, with the Associated Press reporting that 58 are still being held. More than 53,000 people — mostly children and women — have been killed across Gaza in Israel's retaliatory attacks. On Friday, Gaza's health ministry said that at least another 60 have been killed in Israeli strikes in the past 24 hours. The band has been outspoken in its stances. In February, U2 shared a message of support for Ukraine, which has been fighting against an invasion by Russia launched thee years earlier. 'All who believe in freedom and sense the jeopardy we Europeans now find ourselves in are not sleeping easily on this, the third anniversary of the invasion,' Bono captioned the Instagram post, which included a reading of Taras Shevchenko's 'My Friendly Epistle' accompanied by piano. In January, President Joe Biden honored Bono with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, highlighting the rocker's work as a 'pioneering activist against AIDS and poverty.' Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
News18
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Charli XCX, U2, Robbie Williams Win Big At 2025 Ivor Novello Awards
Last Updated: The 2025 Ivor Novello Awards celebrated 22 artists across 14 categories, with many receiving the prestigious award for the first time. The 2025 Ivor Novello Awards honoured the best songwriters and composers from the UK and Ireland. The ceremony took place on May 22 at London's Grosvenor Hotel. Among the standout winners were Charli XCX, U2 and Robbie Williams alongside rising star Lola Young. This year's ceremony celebrated 22 artists across 14 categories, with many receiving the prestigious award for the first time. Charli XCX was named Songwriter of the Year for her album Brat, which she describes as 'chaos and emotional turmoil set to a club soundtrack." Accepting the award, she gave the audience a taste of her work by quoting lyrics from her 2024 song Club Classics: 'I wanna dance to me, me, me / When I go to the club, club, club." With a smile, she added, 'I'm sure you all agree, I am hardly Bob Dylan, but one thing I certainly do is commit to the bit." The 32-year-old singer also shared her views on what makes songwriting stand out, saying, 'I've never particularly believed the idea that everything starts from a great song. Instead, it's a song with a distinct identity, a point of view, and above all, conviction, that can lift a songwriter from being good to globally renowned." She was also in the running for Best Album, but the award went to BERWYN, a musician from Trinidad. He received the prize for his emotional debut album, Who Am I, which reflects his heritage and upbringing as an immigrant in Romford, UK. The album was also nominated for the Mercury Prize in September 2024. U2 was honoured with the Academy Fellowship and became the first Irish band to join this elite group. Frontman Bono highlighted the power of music, saying, 'Songs can be arrows through time if they come from the right place. They can fly higher and farther, last longer, and hit harder. They can pierce the hardest armour of the human heart." 'I don't know if they can change the world, but they changed us," he added. The other members of the band – The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr. – also gave their own acceptance speeches. Robbie Williams received the Music Icon Award in recognition of his remarkable 34-year career, including his solo hits like Angels and Rock DJ, as well as his work with Take That. 'It's just a hodge-podge of things coming at you from the universe. It's self-doubt and self-hatred mixed with ego and delusion, and audacity. So it's very difficult to put your finger on what it feels like, other than you're supposed to say, 'I'm very grateful.' And I am," he said backstage as quoted by the BBC. Among the new talents recognised was Lola Young, who won the Rising Star award after her song Messy gained attention. Myles Smith, along with co-writers Peter Fenn and Jesse Fink, won Most Performed Work for their hit Stargazing. Here is the full list of winners: Songwriter of the Year – Charli XCX Academy Fellowship – U2 Music Icon Award – Robbie Williams Best Album – Berwyn – Who Am I Best Contemporary Song – Sans Soucis – Circumnavigating Georgia Best Song Musically and Lyrically – Orla Gartland – Mine Most Performed Work – Myles Smith – Stargazing Rising Star – Lola Young Best Original Film Score – Raffertie – The Substance Best Original Video Game Score – John Konsolakis – Farewell North Best Television Soundtrack – Vince Pope – True Detective: Night Country Outstanding Song Collection – Bloc Party Special International Award – Brandon Flowers Visionary Award – Self Esteem First Published:
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
U2's Bono speaks out against Hamas, Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli 'far-right fundamentalists'
U2's Bono has spoken out against Hamas, Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli 'far-right fundamentalists' at the 2025 Ivor Novello Awards last night. U2 became the first Irish act to receive the Fellowship of the Ivors Academy, the highest honour that the organisation bestows. The band took to the stage to accept the honour, with frontman Bono calling for peace in the Gaza-Israel conflict. 'I used to introduce this next song by saying it was not a rebel song. It was because believing in the possibilities of peace was then, and is now, a rebellious act; and some would say a ridiculous one,' said Bono – referring to the U2 song 'Sunday Bloody Sunday', their 1983 track about the 1972 massacre in which the British army shot at unarmed protestors during the Troubles in Northern Ireland, killing 14 people. 'To believe peace was attainable between your country and ours, between our country and itself was a ridiculous idea because peace creates possibilities in the most intractable situations and lord knows there's a few of them out there right now,' he added. He then said: 'Hamas, release the hostages, stop the war. Israel, be released from Benjamin Netanyahu and the far-right fundamentalists that twist your sacred texts,' before adding: 'All of you, protect our aid workers – they are the best of us." He concluded by saying: "God, you must be so tired of us, children of Abraham, in the rubble of our certainties. Children in the rubble of our revenge. God forgive us.' The comments mark the first time the human rights activist has spoken out in public against the Israeli prime minister since the war in Gaza broke out in October 2023. Bono's speech also comes at a time when Western leaders have been criticising Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli authorities over the renewed offensive in Gaza.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bono Speaks Out Against Hamas, Benjamin Netanyahu in Plea to Stop War
Bono called for an end to the war between Israel and Hamas at 2025 Ivor Novello Awards last night. During the awards ceremony, held at London's Grosvenor House, U2 became the first Irish act to receive Fellowship of the Ivors Academy. Bono took the opportunity to criticize Hamas and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and to encourage peace. More from Rolling Stone Suspect in Fatal Israeli Embassy Staffer Shooting Charged With Murder Two Israeli Embassy Staffers Shot and Killed Outside Jewish Museum in D.C. New Pope Calls For Israel to Let Aid into Gaza as Famine Looms The rock band performed their 1983 song 'Sunday Bloody Sunday,' which is about the 1972 massacre during which the British army shot at unarmed protestors and ultimately killed 14 people. 'I used to introduce this next song by saying it was not a rebel song,' Bono noted, via NME. 'It was because believing in the possibilities of peace was then, and is now, a rebellious act; and some would say a ridiculous one.' 'To believe peace was attainable between your country and ours, between our country and itself was a ridiculous idea because peace creates possibilities in the most intractable situations, and Lord knows there's a few of them out there right now,' he said. 'Hamas release the hostages. Stop the war. Israel be released from Benjamin Netanyahu and far-right fundamentalists that twist your sacred texts. All of you protect our aid workers, they are the best of us.' This is the first time that Bono, a known activist, has voiced his opinion about the ongoing conflict. He conclude his short acceptance speech by saying, 'God, you must be so tired of us, children of Abraham, in the rubble of our certainties. Children in the rubble of our revenge. God forgive us.' The Ivor Novello Awards are the U.K.'s longest-running music awards ceremony. This year, the 70th edition of the awards, honored U2, Charli XCX, Lola Young, and the Killers' Brandon Flowers. Ed Sheeran was on hand to present U2 with their award, telling the audience that he discovered the band when he heard 'The Sweetest Thing' as a child. He added that he has 'a deep, deep respect for [the band], not just as artists, but also as humans.' Best of Rolling Stone The 50 Greatest Eminem Songs All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
Euronews
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Euronews
Bono speaks out against Hamas and Benjamin Netanyahu for first time
U2's Bono has spoken out against Hamas, Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli 'far-right fundamentalists' at the 2025 Ivor Novello Awards last night. U2 became the first Irish act to receive the Fellowship of the Ivors Academy, the highest honour that the organisation bestows. The band took to the stage to accept the honour, with frontman Bono calling for peace in the Gaza-Israel conflict. 'I used to introduce this next song by saying it was not a rebel song. It was because believing in the possibilities of peace was then, and is now, a rebellious act; and some would say a ridiculous one,' said Bono – referring to the U2 song 'Sunday Bloody Sunday', their 1983 track about the 1972 massacre in which the British army shot at unarmed protestors during the Troubles in Northern Ireland, killing 14 people. 'To believe peace was attainable between your country and ours, between our country and itself was a ridiculous idea because peace creates possibilities in the most intractable situations and lord knows there's a few of them out there right now,' he added. He then said: 'Hamas, release the hostages, stop the war. Israel, be released from Benjamin Netanyahu and the far-right fundamentalists that twist your sacred texts,' before adding: 'All of you, protect our aid workers – they are the best of us." He concluded by saying: "God, you must be so tired of us, children of Abraham, in the rubble of our certainties. Children in the rubble of our revenge. God forgive us.' The comments mark the first time the human rights activist has spoken out in public against the Israeli prime minister since the war in Gaza broke out in October 2023. Bono's speech also comes at a time when Western leaders have been criticising Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli authorities over the renewed offensive in Gaza.
