Scottish singer-songwriter Jacob Alon emerged as the standout winner at the 2026 Ivor Novello awards, which celebrate the finest in British and Irish songwriting and screen composition. The 25-year-old artist, known for their soaring vocals and imaginative alt-folk arrangements, took home two prestigious prizes: the rising star award and best song musically and lyrically.
Alon's Double Victory
Alon's rising star win at the Ivors follows their success at the 2026 Brit awards in February, where they received the critics' choice award. Their debut album, In Limerence, released in May 2025, has been widely praised for its emotional depth and musical sophistication. The album also earned a nomination for the 2025 Mercury prize, though the award ultimately went to Sam Fender.
The best song musically and lyrically award was given for Alon's track Don't Fall Asleep, a poignant ballad inspired by the accidental drowning of their cousin before Alon was born. The song imagines the cousin waking underwater after death and being guided by an angel to watch his unborn son enter the world. Judges described the piece as 'profoundly emotionally honest,' while Alon themselves said, 'This song floats across the stormy surface of the sea of dreams, gasping against its choppy tide, resisting the soft pull below into an endless deep.'
Other Notable Winners
Sam Fender was named songwriter of the year for his social realist anthems on the album People Watching. Catalan musician Rosalía won international songwriter of the year for her bold album Lux, which blends opera, pop, and avant-garde electronics. Irish singer-songwriter CMAT took best album for Euro-Country, a collection exploring personal and societal crises in recession-hit Ireland.
Kae Tempest won best contemporary song for I Stand on the Line, co-written with Fraser T Smith. The track reflects Tempest's experiences as a trans man, including anxieties around using public toilets. Judges praised it for giving a voice to those 'too often unheard.' Tempest was unusually nominated twice in the category, also for Know Yourself.
The most performed work award went to Lola Young for Messy, a self-lacerating alt-pop hit that spent four weeks at UK No. 1 in early 2025 and remains popular on streaming and radio.
Film and Television Scores
Tom Hodge won best original film score for Testimony, a documentary about Ireland's Magdalene laundries scandal. David Holmes and Brian Irvine took best television soundtrack for the Belfast-set drama Trespasses.
Honorary Prizes
The Ivors Academy Fellowship, the most prestigious honorary award, was given posthumously to George Michael and to Radiohead's Thom Yorke. Michael's former Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley accepted on his behalf, with a performance of Careless Whisper by pop singer Skye Newman. Other honorary recipients included Lily Allen (outstanding song collection), Calvin Harris (icon award), Linda Perry (special international award), and Kano (visionary award).
Full List of Winners
- Best album: CMAT – Euro-Country
- Best contemporary song: Kae Tempest – I Stand on the Line
- Best song musically and lyrically: Jacob Alon – Don't Fall Asleep
- Most performed work: Lola Young – Messy
- Rising star: Jacob Alon
- Best original film score: Tom Hodge – Testimony
- Best television soundtrack: David Holmes and Brian Irvine – Trespasses
- Fellowship of the Ivors Academy: George Michael, Thom Yorke
- Outstanding song collection: Lily Allen
- Icon award: Calvin Harris
- International songwriter of the year: Rosalía
- Songwriter of the year: Sam Fender
- Special international award: Linda Perry
- Visionary award: Kano
