Sam Fender wins major Ivor Novello award
The singer said he felt “chuffed and overwhelmed” after collecting the prestigious songwriting prize at this year’s Ivors
North Shields singer-songwriter Sam Fender has been named Songwriter of the Year at this year’s Ivor Novello Awards, cementing his reputation as one of the UK’s leading musical voices.
The annual awards, widely regarded among the music industry’s most prestigious honours because of their focus on songwriting craft, recognised the 32-year-old for what organisers described as his “sharp social commentary and emotionally honest songwriting”.
Currently sitting at the top of the singles chart with Rein Me In (duet with Olivia Dean - headlining at Radio One’s Big Weekend in Sunderland on Sunday) Sam, whose albums include Seventeen Going Under and People Watching, was praised by The Ivors Academy for becoming one of “the defining voices in modern British music and storytelling”.
Posting on Instagram after collecting the award, he wrote: “Songwriter of the year. So chuffed and overwhelmed - don’t necessarily agree though, especially after Jacob Alon delivered one of the best performances I’ve ever seen.
”Feel incredibly privileged to be in a room with so many talented and genuinely lovely people.”
He also thanked Elton John and David Furnish for “championing so many new young artists”.
Elsewhere at the ceremony, Catalan singer-songwriter Rosalía received the international songwriter of the year award, while (the aforementioned) Scottish alt-folk artist Jacob Alon picked up two prizes, including best song musically and lyrically for Don’t Fall Asleep and the rising star award.
Music icon honours went to Calvin Harris - married to North East broadcaster Vicki Hope - while Lily Allen and Linda Perry were also recognised during the ceremony.