Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

As it happenedended

Ivor Novello Awards 2018 - as it happened: Ed Sheeran named Songwriter of the Year while Stormzy wins Best Album

Annual songwriting honours 'the pinnacle of musical achievement and peer recognition'

Roisin O'Connor
Music Correspondent
Thursday 31 May 2018 04:01 EDT
Comments
Ed Sheeran and Stormzy are leading the nominations at this year's Ivor Novello Awards
Ed Sheeran and Stormzy are leading the nominations at this year's Ivor Novello Awards (Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The 63rd Ivor Novello Awards took place on Thursday 31 May (today), with some of the UK's biggest artists - including Ed Sheeran, Elbow and Stormzy - taking home awards.

Stormzy and Sheeran received the top prizes, for Album of the Year and Songwriter of the Year, respectively.

Accepting his award from last years recipient Laura Mvula, Stormzy said: “YES. Very very happy right now. Obviously this is an award that only recognises your pen and your art so... properly wanted to win this one.

"YES. Man. I worked so hard on my album from an artistic point of view, I worked so hard, I made sure my pen was as sharp as it could be. YES.”

Sheeran, who also won the prize for Most Performed Work (for his monster hit "Shape of You"), praised Stormzy for his win and also thanked his co-writers, management and label for their support.

Also honoured were several legends of the music industry, including Lionel Richie, Billy Ocean, Shane McGowan of The Pogues, Billy Bragg, and songwriter Cathy Dennis.

To be eligible for the awards this year, works must have been commercially released in the UK in 2017 and have a British or Irish songwriting contribution of at least one third.

Presented and judged by music creators, the Ivors aim to represent "the pinnacle of musical achievement and peer recognition".

The liveblog is now closed:

​Sheeran has two songs in the running for the Most Performed Work category: "Castle On The Hill" and "Shape of You", both from his latest album Divide. He is competing against Rag'n'Bone Man's hit song "Human", from his debut album of the same name.

"BASCA's nominations for the 2018 Ivor Novello Awards are, as ever, a mirror of the eclectic and inspirational reach of current UK music," BASCA chair Crispin Hunt commented.

"The Ivors' purpose is to recognise and celebrate excellence in British and Irish music writing across Song, Album, Television, Film, and this year, Video Games.

"As the only peer nominated music award ceremony in the country, the Ivors are inherently about musical merit and communication more than promotion, and we're especially excited to be able to honour some of the phenomenal talents of the contemporary British music writing scene. Talent admired the whole world over."

2017 was a successful year all round for UK music, with record label revenue growth returning to a level last seen during the height of the Britpop era.

According to a report by industry association the BPI, combined revenue from streaming, downloads, physical sales and licensing for use in films, TV and video games rose by 10.6 per cent to £839m last year.

Part of that success was attributed to the global sales figures accrued by artists such as Sheeran, Stormzy, Adele and Rag'n'Bone Man - eight of the 10 best-selling UK albums of 2017 were by UK artists, while Sheeran's album Divide was the most popular record across all formats last year, breaking several industry records.

"I'm a bit sloshed" - the irrepressible Guy Garvey everyone

roisin.oconnor31 May 2018 15:36

We're being shown a moving tribute to the artists we lost this year, rather heartbreakingly soundtracked by The Cranberries.

roisin.oconnor31 May 2018 15:40
roisin.oconnor31 May 2018 15:43
roisin.oconnor31 May 2018 15:48

Best Television Soundtrack goes to The Miniaturist - Composed by Dan Jones / Published in the UK by Faber Music

roisin.oconnor31 May 2018 15:57
roisin.oconnor31 May 2018 15:58

The incredible Laura Mvula is hear to present the winner of the Ivor Novello Album Award

roisin.oconnor31 May 2018 16:00

The nominees are: 

A Fever Dream - Written by Jonathan Higgs, Jeremy Pritchard, Alex Robertshaw and Michael Spearman / Performed by Everything Everything / Published in the UK by Black Butter Music Publishing - BMG

Gang Signs & Prayer - Written by Michael 'Stormzy' Omari / Performed by Stormzy / Published in the UK by Warner/Chappell Music Ltd

Moonshine Freeze - Written by Kate Stables / Performed by This is the Kit / Published in the UK by Beggars Music - 4AD Songs

roisin.oconnor31 May 2018 16:01

The winner is: STORMZY

roisin.oconnor31 May 2018 16:03

"YES. Very very happy right now. Obviously this is an award that only recognises your pen and your art so... properly wanted to win this one. YES. Man. I worked so hard on my album from an artistic point of view, I worked so hard, I made sure my pen was as sharp as it could be. YES" - Stormzy accepting his award.

roisin.oconnor31 May 2018 16:05

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in