Ivor Novello Awards 2021 WINNERS: Harry Styles scoops first-ever gong at the prestigious event

Harry Styles took home his first-ever Ivor Novello Award on Tuesday at the 2021 ceremony in London.

He joined the likes of Lianne La Havas, Obongjayar and Barney Lister – all first-time winners at the prestigious music event too.

More seasoned artists such as Celeste and Jon Bon Jovi were also award-recipients at the ceremony – which took place at Grosvenor House.

First-time Ivor! Harry Styles took home his first-ever Ivor Novello Award on Tuesday at the 2021 ceremony in London. He was not able to attend to collect it in-person [pictured L in 2020 in New York] He joined the likes of Lianne La Havas [pictured R at the event], Obongjayar and Barney Lister – all first-time winners at the prestigious ceremony too

Away from the red carpet, Harry, 27, and songwriter Kid Harpoon gained the most nominations at this year’s awards. 

One Direction alum Harry and his writing partner Kid – who has written songs alongside artists such as James Bay and Florence Welch – secured three nods in two categories.

Along with Amy Allen and Tyler Johnson, Harry and Kid won the PRS Music Most Performed at Work gong.

The gong was for Harry’s song Adore You – which was the second single from his Grammy nominated and UK double platinum selling album Fine Line. 

Recognised as a pinnacle of creative musical achievement since they were first presented in 1956, Ivor Novello Awards have a special place in the music community as they are judged and awarded by songwriters and composers to their peers.

This year, 70 per cent of the 26 songwriters and composers recognised with an Ivor are picking up an award for the first time. 

Chic! Nile Rodgers, 69, looked stylish in a blue jacket while Bon Jovi star Richie Sambora, 62, looked like rock royalty in a stylish black number with a top hat

British singer-songwriter and record producer Lianne, born Lianne Charlotte Barnes, 32, scooped the Best Album prize.

She looked sensational in a voluminous yellow gown with a strapless shape and frilled texture and styled her curly locks into an elegant chignon atop her head.

Lianne’s concept album depicts the stages of a relationship from early romance to its end. She was nominated in 2013 for her debut album, Is Your Love Big Enough? This failed to scoop the award at the time.

Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora won the Special International Award with Apple Music, with the latter in attendance to collect the gong.

Richie, 62, looked like rock royalty in a stylish black number with a top hat, there to represent the band Bon Jovi.  

Best Song Musically and Lyrically went to Obongjayar and Barney Lister in their first Ivor win for God’s Own Children, from the EP Which Way Is Forward?, which Obongjayar described as ‘a project about love, family, self-empowerment and self-belief.’

Children of the Internet by Dave and Fraser T Smith won Best Contemporary Song. In one of the most successful contemporary songwriting collaborations, it is their third Ivor Novello Award win in four years. Performed by Future Utopia, featuring Dave and Es Devlin, the track explores the impact of social media and hyper-connectivity, especially on younger generations.

Celeste and Jamie Hartman received the Ivor for Songwriter of the Year for their incredible body of work in 2020 including Stop this Flame, I Can See the Change, Little Runaway, Love is Back and A Little Love for the John Lewis Christmas advert.

The second Rising Star Award with Apple Music was awarded to 20-year-old Bristol born artist Willow Kayne whose work spans hip hop, punk and electronica, and draws creative inspiration from fashion and graphic design. All Rising Star Award nominees receive a year-long mentorship from a well-known Academy member and leaders from Apple Music, Willow has been paired with music legend Nile Rodgers.

Nile – who was in attendance – said: ‘Willow has a fresh and exciting sound and the energy and determination to match it. She’s a genuine star in the making and I can’t wait to support her on her musical journey.’

Composer Blanck Mass won his first Ivor for Best Original Film Score for the BAFTA nominated Irish crime drama Calm with Horses, directed by Nick Rowland in his feature debut and written by Joseph Murtagh.

Best Original Video Game Score went to Gareth Coker for Ori and the Will of the Wisps. Developed by the collective organisation Moon Studios and published Xbox Games Studios, it is the sequel to the acclaimed action-platform Ori and the Blind Forest.

The soundtrack for sci-fi spectacular Devs composed by Geoff Barrow, Ben Salisbury, and The Insects won Best Television Soundtrack. Created, written, and directed by Alex Garland, Devs premiered in the UK on BBC Two in April 2020 and explores themes of free-will, determinism, grief, love and immortality. 

Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith were honoured with the Ivor for Outstanding Song Collection for their incredible songwriting partnership that produced era-defining Tears for Fears albums including The Hurting, Songs from the Big Chair and The Seeds of Love, as well as critically acclaimed, innovative hit singles: Mad World, Shout, Everybody Wants to Rule the World and Sowing the Seeds of Love.

Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory were recognised with The Ivors Inspiration Award for their work as the duo Goldfrapp, which formed in 1999. Giants of electronic music, they have been inspired by everything from glam rock to organic folk music, while their seven albums have produced acclaimed music that has entranced a nation and filled many dancefloors.

Mark-Anthony Turnage was recognised with The Ivors Classical Music Award for his unique and experimental approach to composition. The composer – who had his breakthrough moment with his first opera, 1988’s Greek – draws on influences spanning jazz, Led Zeppelin and Beyoncé. His work has been performed at the BBC Proms, Sadler’s Wells, the Royal Ballet and the Royal Opera. He has written pieces based on everything from the outbreak of World War I with his 2013 orchestral work Passchendaele to the tragic life and death of model, actor, celebrity Anna Nicole Smith, his 2011 opera Anna Nicole.

Recognised as a pinnacle of creative musical achievement since they were first presented in 1956, Ivor Novello Awards have a special place in the music community as they are judged and awarded by songwriters and composers to their peers.

This year, 70 per cent of the 26 songwriters and composers recognised with an Ivor are picking up an award for the first time.

All Saints legend Shaznay Lewis, Ivor Novello Award winner and Chair of The Ivors Awards Committee at The Ivors Academy, said: ‘I’m amazed by the impressive range of talent who have joined the UK’s roll call of songwriting greats by winning an Ivor Novello Award.

‘Each one brings joy to so many and creates the soundtrack to our lives. As well as being astounded by their achievements, I would like to thank every winner and nominee for creating the most wonderful and era-defining music.’ 

Leading the way with a flourish of nostalgia were Shaznay, 45, and her bandmate Melanie Blatt, 46, who both looked stunning in suits, while Emeli Sandé, 34, dazzled in a graphic print dress.

The Nineties hitmakers looked stunning in a duo of suits, with Shaznay going for a black number with sequinned lapels and Melanie dazzling in green, while the Clown hitmaker looked chic in earthy tones. 

Shaznay and Melanie are half of All Saints, the hit Nineties girl group who took the world by storm from 1993 to 2001, before reuniting from 2006 to 2008 and again getting together in 2013 to the current day. 

The duo looked as thought they had not aged a day since their heyday as they beamed on the red carpet. Shaznay went for head-to-toe black with her dazzling lapels matching her chic camisole underneath. 

Melanie meanwhile was more inclined to colour as she wore an olive green double breasted suit with black buttons paired with a white vest layered over a neon cami. 

She paired the look with a slick of coral lipstick, while Shaznay went for a wholly more sultry style, with a dramatic cat-eye eyeliner and flawlessly highlighted skin to emphasise her ageless looks.  

Ageless beauty: Shaznay and Melanie are half of All Saints, the hit Nineties girl group who took the world by storm from 1993 to 2001, before reuniting from 2006 to 2008 and getting together again in 2013 to the current day

Winner: Shaznay is an Ivor Novello Award winner and Chair of The Ivors Awards Committee at The Ivors Academy

Prior to the awards, Shaznay said: ‘Over the last year we’ve felt the power of songwriting and the stories told through music. The Ivors are so important because they celebrate where all the music begins – with songwriters and composers.

‘The judges have chosen a selection of exceptional music that moves, unites and inspires us. Congratulations to all our nominees, and I’m really delighted that the majority are recognised with an Ivor nomination for the first time.’ The awards also recognise UK artists who have made an exceptional contribution to music.     

Clean Bandit singer Grace Chatto, 35, looked chic in a girly pink shorts suit paired with a bustier with frills at the cleavage and a statement straw handbag with tassels. 

Woo! Lianne scooped the coveted Best Album Award at the ceremony and posed playfully with the gong 

Chic: Rachel Chinouriri, 21, looked stunning in a frothy white number paired with statement green mules. Seven Nights singer Mysie, suited up in a chic tan number with cut-out hips and chunky loafers

Daisy singer Ashnikko, 25, was showing off her rocker style with punk overtones as she styled her hair into cascading red and blue lengths and sported a fishnet black ensemble with red hair-esque attachments. 

Rachel Chinouriri, 21, looked stunning in a frothy white number paired with statement green mules.  Seven Nights singer Mysie, suited up in a chic tan number with cut-out hips and chunky loafers. 

Headie One was in attendance following his nomination for Best Song Musically and Lyrically while Tears For Fears stars Curt Smith and Roland Orzabel suited up for the occasion. 

Here come the lads! Tears For Fears stars Curt Smith and Roland Orzabel suited up for the occasion 

Dapper: Headie One was in attendance following his nomination for Best Song Musically and Lyrically

Here he is! ABBA star Bjorn Ulvaeus was in attendance in a sleek black suit in the wake of news of the group’s new music 

Gareth Coker posed in the press room with his Best Original Video Game Score gong

Jamie Cullum, 42, Naughty Boy, 36, born Shahid Khan, and Gary Kemp, 61, were all in attendance in an array of stylish suited ensembles as they prepared to see talent.

Ben Salisbury walked away with the Best Television Soundtrack gong, Fraser T Smith won the Best Contemporary Song award and Obongjayar poses with the Best Song Musically and Lyrically award.

Gareth Coker posed in the press room with his Best Original Video Game Score gong. 

Talent: Away from the red carpet, Harry Styles and songwriter Kid Harpoon gained the most nominations at this year’s awards