Irish singer-songwriter CMAT has voiced her surprise and delight after her record Euro-Country was named best album at the 2026 Ivor Novello Awards, marking a rare win for her in England.
The 30-year-old, real name Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, told the Press Association: “It’s really nice to finally win an award in England, English people don’t generally give me awards, so that’s a first, really good.” She went on to praise the award's namesake, stating, “I’m actually a big fan of the man, Ivor Novello, himself as well… He’s the tits, this award is the tits.”
CMAT also drew a personal connection to the accolades, recalling Amy Winehouse's win for Love Is A Losing Game when she was a child. “I love Amy Winehouse so much, and she won best song musically and lyrically for Love Is A Losing Game, and I remember that because I was like 10 when it happened, and she was a really big thing for me.”
Other winners included Sam Fender, who won songwriter of the year, Rosalia, who collected the international songwriter of the year gong, and Sir Elton John, who was presented with an Ivors Academy Honour and announced as the academy’s first-ever president. Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke was given a Fellowship of The Ivors Academy, as was late Wham! singer George Michael.
Poet Kae Tempest won best contemporary song for I Stand On The Line, while singer Lola Young won the PRS for Music award for most performed work for her 2024 song Messy. British pop star Lily Allen received the award for outstanding song collection, Calvin Harris scooped the music icon award, and rapper Kano won the visionary award.
