The Ivors 2025: U2, Springsteen, and Songwriting’s Next Generation Take Center Stage
The 70th Ivors with Amazon Music delivered an unforgettable night of lyrical brilliance, rock legends, and bold new voices, proving once again that the art of songwriting remains as urgent and inspiring as ever.
In a ceremony brimming with star power, U2 joined the elite circle of Fellows of the Ivors Academy, marking 50 years of musical brotherhood with humor and humility. Bono used his moment not just to celebrate, but to advocate for peace in Gaza, while The Edge charmed the room with a reworked “My Way.”
Bruce Springsteen made a surprise return to present the Special International Award to Brandon Flowers, praising the Killers frontman’s poetic instincts. Flowers, in turn, delivered a moving speech about the sacred nature of songwriting: “Like Prometheus, we reach into the realm of the Gods to steal something divine.”
Charli XCX, crowned Songwriter of the Year, dismissed traditional definitions: “A great song alone is never enough — it needs identity and conviction.”
With rising star Lola Young, visionary Self Esteem, and even a self-penned poem from Icon Award winner Robbie Williams, the Ivors celebrated both legacy and rebellion — and left no doubt that the next 70 years of songwriting are in fierce, fearless hands.
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Photo Credit: Howard Weiss / Shutterstock.com
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