'I'm hardly Bob Dylan': Charli XCX wins songwriter of the year

Charli XCX downplayed her songwriting talents at the Ivor Novello Awards. She was named songwriter of the year in London.

While accepting the award, she quoted lyrics from her 2024 song, Club Classics. "I wanna dance to me, me, me / When I go to the club, club, club," she said.

She joked about not being Bob Dylan. The audience included Bruce Springsteen and Robbie Williams. "But I certainly commit to the bit," she added.

The ceremony also honored rising stars Lola Young and Myles Smith. U2 became the first Irish band to win the fellowship award.

U2 took a break from recording their next album for the event. The award recognized nearly 50 years of hits like With Or Without You and Sunday Bloody Sunday.

Bono spoke on stage about music's power. He said songs can be arrows through time if they come from a genuine place.

"They can pierce the hardest armor of the human heart," he noted. Bono added that while songs may not change the world, they changed them.

Each U2 member gave an acceptance speech. Drummer Larry Mullen Jr recalled their first rejection letter from CBS Records' Muff Winwood.

"He offered us a record deal if we fired our drummer," Mullen said humorously. He reflected on how counting mistakes made some look like musical geniuses.

Lola Young had the most nominations and won Rising Star for her single Messy. The Killers received a special international prize from Bruce Springsteen.

Brandon Flowers joked that winning felt like one step away from his dream of being a valet in Las Vegas. Backstage, he expressed excitement over meeting Springsteen.

Lola Young shared her joy at winning an award as a young songwriter. "This is such a big moment for that kid writing songs in my bedroom," she said.

Young recently finished her next album and shot 12 music videos in one day for it. Myles Smith's Stargazing was named most-played song on UK radio last year.

He recalled hearing it on New York radio while in an Uber with a driver who didn't care much about it. "It kept me grounded from year one," he said humbly.

Charli XCX was recognized for her Brat album, which she described as chaotic yet emotional. The album explores themes of vulnerability alongside hedonism.

Its cover art became popular online during summer 2024 due to its bold design. On stage, Charli emphasized that great songs need more than just good melodies to captivate audiences.

Robbie Williams received the Icon Award for 2025 after his long career spanning boyband hits and solo success. He described his mixed emotions upon receiving such recognition backstage.

Williams mentioned feeling gratitude amid self-doubt and ego struggles when significant moments occur in life. Bloc Party won Outstanding Song Collection while Berwyn's Who Am I was named Best Album.

Sans Soucis won Best Contemporary Song for Circumnavigating Georgia; Orla Gartland won Best Song Musically and Lyrically for Mine despite competition from other artists.

Gartland's song addresses overcoming trauma related to intimacy issues as an independent artist proud of her work's message about bodily autonomy.

Self Esteem received the Visionary Award and urged better protection for young women against misogyny online during her speech.

She thanked her parents for supporting her journey after previous losses at awards shows.

"I’m sorry about how much I swear in my songs," she added humorously backstage after celebrating her victory.


Ivor Novello 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: The Substance - Raffertie
- Best Original Video Game Score: Farewell North - John Konsolakis
- Best Television Soundtrack: True Detective: Night Country - Vince Pope
- Outstanding Song Collection: Bloc Party
- Special International Prize: Brandon Flowers (The Killers)
- Visionary Award: Self Esteem