Latest news with #TheIvorsAcademy
The Irish Sun
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
‘We are grateful to each other' – U2 make history as first-ever Irish artists to scoop top songwriting honour
U2 have made history as the first Irish artists to receive the highest honour from The Ivors Academy. The legendary Advertisement 2 The Ivors Academy has announced U2 as the latest songwriters to become Academy Fellows 2 The Dublin band have become the first-ever Irish songwriters that the Academy has inducted into Fellowship Credit: Shutterstock Editorial The honour recognises the band's global influence, decades long career and their impact on the craft of songwriting. Formed in Dublin in 1978, U2 is one of the greatest songwriting partnerships and most influential bands of all time. The band's songwriting is marked by an emotional authenticity that has crafted some of the most powerful songs in the history of Advertisement READ MORE ON U2 Having written many of the most enduring and iconic songs and lyrics in modern rock history, U2's songwriting legacy continues to expand and resonate with audiences worldwide. After receiving the award, Bono said: "We were a band before we could play, let alone write songs… In fact it was our inability to play other people's songs that kicked off our own songwriting. "Early musical heroes like The Ramones, Patti Smith, The Clash were our inspiration. There's alchemy at play, turning base metals into gold… your s***e into gold would be another way of putting it." The Edge added: "Songs are kind of magic. The best ones feel like gifts from some other dimension, but to catch them you have to make yourself available. Advertisement Most read in Celebrity Exclusive "I'm not sure songs can change the world but they sure have changed mine." Legendary guitarist Adam Clayton called it a "very special" honour and thanked fans and the team who have supported them through their journey. Fans all go wild as Lady Gaga collabs with Bono at surprise gig The band's drummer Larry Mullen Jnr added: "Making music collectively, as we've done for close to 50 years, has been an incredible experience and privilege for the four of us and I believe it's a testament to a band that values individual creativity and independence of mind. "We are grateful to each other and very grateful to The Ivors Academy for recognising us with this award." Advertisement The Ivors with 'ERA-DEFINING SONGWRITERS' With the award, U2 join an elite list of songwriting legends including Paul McCartney, The Chair of The Ivors Academy, Tom Gray said: "With fearless poetic lyricism always centre-stage in panoramic musical vistas, the sound of U2 has redefined the fabric of popular music. "Their songs are sweeping catalysts: hymnals and rallying cries. U2's induction into Fellowship honours their seminal contributions to music through exceptional songwriting craft.' Advertisement Roberto Neri, CEO of The Ivors Academy added: "We are proud to welcome U2 to Fellowship of The Ivors Academy as era-defining songwriters whose legacy continues to propel musical innovation and inspire social progress. "As U2's politically charged anthems have sparked global change, The Ivors Academy is committed to championing creative integrity with the same unwavering passion. "At a time when AI threatens to undermine human creativity, U2's Fellowship stands as a testament to the irreplaceable role of songwriters and composers in shaping culture and inspiring change."
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bono Demands Israel's Release From ‘Far-Right Fundamentalists,' Hamas' Release Of Hostages
U2 frontman Bono slammed Hamas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli 'far-right fundamentalists' while accepting an award at Thursday's Ivor Novello Awards in London. 'To believe peace was attainable between your country and ours, between our country and itself, was a ridiculous idea,' Bono, who is Irish, said to the British crowd, 'because peace creates possibilities in the most intractable situations, and Lord knows there's a few of them out there right now.' U2 was the first Irish act to receive the Fellowship of The Ivors Academy. Bono marked the moment by performing an acoustic version of the band's 1983 song 'Sunday Bloody Sunday,' an antiwar song about British soldiers' 1972 massacre of unarmed protesters in Derry, Northern Ireland, The Guardian reported. 'Believing in the possibilities of peace was then, and is now, a rebellious act; and some would say, a ridiculous one,' he said before introducing the song. Bono, who is known for his activism, has been outspoken on LGBTQ+ rights, co-founded ONE, an international nonprofit that advocates for an end to extreme poverty and disease, and received a Peace Summit Award in 2008. The singer's acceptance speech comes a day after Israeli airstrikes killed at least 82 people in Gaza, including several women and a week-old infant. Pope Leo XIV spoke Wednesdayafter Israel started allowing some aid into Gaza following the country's nearly three-month blockade on all humanitarian assistance in the territory. However, experts say the new aid is not enough. During his speech, Bono went on to call out Netanyahu and Hamas to 'stop the war' in Gaza, encouraging peace and protection for aid workers. 'Hamas, release the hostages, stop the war. Israel, be released from Benjamin Netanyahu and the far-right fundamentalists that twist your sacred texts,' he said. 'All of you protect our aid workers. They are the best of us.' Bono ended his speech 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.' Pope Leo XIV Calls For Israel To Allow 'Dignified' Aid Into Gaza As Crisis Worsens 82 Are Killed In Israeli Strikes In Gaza As Desperately Needed Aid Fails To Reach Palestinians Israel Is Finally Letting Some Aid Into Gaza. Here's Why It's Not Close To Enough.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bono Demands Israel's Release From ‘Far-Right Fundamentalists,' Hamas' Release Of Hostages
U2 frontman Bono slammed Hamas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli 'far-right fundamentalists' while accepting an award at Thursday's Ivor Novello Awards in London. 'To believe peace was attainable between your country and ours, between our country and itself, was a ridiculous idea,' Bono, who is Irish, said to the British crowd, 'because peace creates possibilities in the most intractable situations, and Lord knows there's a few of them out there right now.' U2 was the first Irish act to receive the Fellowship of The Ivors Academy. Bono marked the moment by performing an acoustic version of the band's 1983 song 'Sunday Bloody Sunday,' an antiwar song about British soldiers' 1972 massacre of unarmed protesters in Derry, Northern Ireland, The Guardian reported. 'Believing in the possibilities of peace was then, and is now, a rebellious act; and some would say, a ridiculous one,' he said before introducing the song. Irish pop star Bono broke his silence on the Gaza war at the Ivor Awards, urging Israel to be 'freed from Benjamin Netanyahu and far-right extremists' and for Hamas to 'release the hostages'. — Sky News (@SkyNews) May 23, 2025 Bono, who is known for his activism, has been outspoken on LGBTQ+ rights, co-founded ONE, an international nonprofit that advocates for an end to extreme poverty and disease, and received a Peace Summit Award in 2008. The singer's acceptance speech comes a day after Israeli airstrikes killed at least 82 people in Gaza, including several women and a week-old infant. Pope Leo XIV spoke Wednesdayafter Israel started allowing some aid into Gaza following the country's nearly three-month blockade on all humanitarian assistance in the territory. However, experts say the new aid is not enough. During his speech, Bono went on to call out Netanyahu and Hamas to 'stop the war' in Gaza, encouraging peace and protection for aid workers. 'Hamas, release the hostages, stop the war. Israel, be released from Benjamin Netanyahu and the far-right fundamentalists that twist your sacred texts,' he said. 'All of you protect our aid workers. They are the best of us.' Bono ended his speech 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.' Pope Leo XIV Calls For Israel To Allow 'Dignified' Aid Into Gaza As Crisis Worsens 82 Are Killed In Israeli Strikes In Gaza As Desperately Needed Aid Fails To Reach Palestinians Israel Is Finally Letting Some Aid Into Gaza. Here's Why It's Not Close To Enough.
Irish Daily Mirror
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Bono calls to 'stop war' ahead of powerful Sunday Bloody Sunday performance
U2's Bono issued a call to "stop war" ahead of performing Sunday Bloody Sunday at the Ivor Novello Awards ceremony at London's Grosvenor House on Thursday evening. The performance came as the group became the first Irish songwriters to be awarded an academy fellowship at the 70th year of the awards ceremony, known as The Ivors. U2 received their fellowships from Ed Sheeran with Bono making a call for peace. While the singer made his acceptance speech, The Edge began to strum the chords of Sunday Bloody Sunday. Bono said: "I used to introduce this next song by explaining that it wasn't 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. To believe peace was attainable between your country and ours, between our country and itself was a ridiculous idea that we're pleased we hold on to very tightly right now. "Peace creates possibilities in the most intractable situations. Lord knows there's a few of them out there right now. Hamas, release the hostages. Stop war. Israel, be released from Benjamin Netanyahu. All of you, protect our aid workers. They are the best of us." The group ended the evening with a performance of Angel of Harlem. Hosted by The Ivors Academy, the awards ceremony aims to recognise and celebrate "exceptional achievements in songwriting and screen composing". Adam Clayton said: 'To be recognised in this way by The Ivors Academy feels very special indeed. The appreciation of one's peers is a humbling honour and we are immensely grateful. "We've been playing our songs in this country for over 45 years, thank you to all those who have not just supported us, but carried us... producers, engineers, crew, fans, management, label.' Larry Mullen Jr. added: 'Making music collectively, as we've done for close to 50 years, has been an incredible experience and privilege for the four of us and I believe it's a testament to a band that values individual creativity and independence of mind. "We are grateful to each other and very grateful to The Ivors Academy for recognising us with this award.'
Wales Online
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Charli XCX named songwriter of the year at The Ivors awards ceremony
Charli XCX named songwriter of the year at The Ivors awards ceremony Messy singer Lola Young took home the rising star award and Berwyn won best album for Who Am I at the awards ceremony at London's Grosvenor House on Tuesday Charli xcx (Image: WireImage ) Brat star Charli XCX has been named songwriter of the year at the 2025 edition of The Ivors. Messy singer Lola Young took home the rising star award and Berwyn won best album for Who Am I at the awards ceremony at London's Grosvenor House on Tuesday. Best contemporary song was won by Sans Soucis for Circumnavigating Georgia, while best song musically and lyrically was won by Orla Gartland for Mine, beating the likes of Young, Raye and Fontaines DC. Speaking about the winners, Tom Gray, chairman of The Ivors Academy, said: "Congratulations to every Ivor Novello Award-winning songwriter and composer. "On behalf of The Ivors Academy, it is a privilege to recognise their craft and achievements. Article continues below "Their lyrics and melodies are the most important foundations of music and there is no greater recognition than an Ivor Novello Award, judged by fellow songwriters and composers." Robbie Williams picked up the music icon award, The Killers frontman Brandon Flowers won the special international award and Self Esteem, whose real name is Rebecca Lucy Taylor, was given the visionary award. Myles Smith's Stargazing, co-written with Peter Fenn and Jesse Fink, was named most performed work, while Raffertie's soundtrack to The Substance took the gong for best film score. Article continues below Best video game score was won by John Konsolakis's work on Farewell North, and best TV soundtrack went to Vince Pope's True Detective: Night Country score. Irish rock band U2 were awarded their academy fellowship while Bloc Party's Kele Okereke, Russell Lissack, Gordon Moakes and Matt Tong took home outstanding song collection, with both awards previously announced. The Ivors celebrated their 70th anniversary this year, with previous winners including Amy Winehouse, Sir Paul McCartney and John Lennon.
