U.K. songwriters and composers body The Ivors Academy has postponed this year’s Ivors, the annual awards show celebrating excellence in British and Irish songwriting. Citing public health concerns due to the global coronavirus pandemic, organizers now say the event will take place Sept. 2 instead of May 21.
The Ivors with Apple Music — the two parties announced a three-year partnership in October — will still take place at the JW Marriot Grosvenor House in London, with nominations arriving closer to the ceremony.
“Our efforts are on supporting our community during this incredibly tough time and our thoughts are with all those who are facing health, wellbeing and economic challenges,” said Graham Davies, CEO and Crispin Hunt, chair of The Ivors Academy. “We hope this will be a short-term crisis from which we can all come together later in the year to reunite, reflect and rejuvenate.”
The event is named after Welsh composer and actor Ivor Novello. Previous winners of the peer-voted songwriting awards — first staged in 1956 — include Kate Bush, Sir Elton John, Brian Eno, Gary Barlow, George Michael, Annie Lennox, Mariah Carey, Stormzy and Amy Winehouse.
As previously reported, this year’s ceremony will see the introduction of a new Rising Star Award category in association with Apple Music. The winner will receive ongoing support and mentorship from the streaming service, while content from the award’s ceremony will be distributed globally across Apple Music and Beats 1 radio.
