U2’s Bono Calls for Peace During Stirring Ivors Performance
In a highly charged moment at the 70th Ivors Academy Awards in London, U2 lead singer Bono took a powerful stand for peace, urging an end to war before launching into a rendition of the iconic protest anthem “Sunday Bloody Sunday.” The Irish rock band, who made history as the first Irish musicians to receive the coveted Ivors Academy Fellowship, used their platform to address ongoing global conflicts and advocate for reconciliation.
The legendary group attended Thursday’s awards ceremony at Grosvenor House, where their contributions to songwriting and music were recognised at the prestigious event. Accepting their Fellowship from pop superstar Ed Sheeran, Bono – born Paul David Hewson – did not shy from addressing current affairs, weaving a call for unity and an end to violence into his speech. As Bono spoke, guitarist The Edge (Daniel Evans) softly began playing the unmistakable opening chords of “Sunday Bloody Sunday,” a song rooted in the harrowing events of 1972 in Derry, when British soldiers opened fire on civil rights marchers.
Reflecting on the legacy of their music, Bono reminded the audience of the enduring importance of advocating for peace, even when such ideals seem “rebellious or ridiculous” to some. “Peace creates possibilities in the most intractable situations,” he said. “Lord knows, there’s a few of them out there right now.” Drawing attention to crises in the Middle East, Bono called for Hamas to release hostages, for Israel to be freed from the leadership of Benjamin Netanyahu, and for the international community to protect aid workers. “They are the best of us,” he added.
The emotionally charged atmosphere set the tone for a night of celebration and poignant reflection, as U2 capped their appearance with a crowd-pleasing performance of “Angel of Harlem,” another of their beloved classics. The evening, hosted by The Ivors Academy, shone a spotlight on excellence across the songwriting and screen composition industries, honouring talents both established and emerging.
Elsewhere during the ceremony, pop powerhouse Robbie Williams was feted with the Icon Award. In a characteristically candid interview with the Press Association, Williams remarked on the strange feeling of receiving such an accolade. “It feels uneasy to receive, to be bestowed a ‘we love you’ or ‘we like you’. I don’t think it sits very well with artists, unless you’re a complete egomaniac… In which case you already think that and know that,” he said, though acknowledging it remains “a beautiful thing to be given.”
Williams, set to release a new album entitled “Britpop” later this year, used the occasion to offer fans a glimpse of what to expect, promising “high octane guitars” and a nod to his rebellious streak, seen in the accompanying music video. The international star is also preparing for an extensive tour of the UK, Ireland and Europe, kicking off in Edinburgh on 31 May.
The spotlight also fell on Brat singer-songwriter Charli XCX, who was named Songwriter of the Year. In her acceptance speech, she spoke passionately about the challenges facing today’s songwriters, noting that technical ability alone is not enough to guarantee a platform or recognition. “A song with a distinct identity, point of view, and conviction is what makes a songwriter stand out,” she explained, encouraging her peers to embrace individuality and fearlessness in their work.
Charli XCX closed her rousing remarks by urging fellow composers to “make what you want to hear,” rather than chasing trends or cleverness. “Don’t try and be clever. Be dumb, have fun… don’t be afraid of yourself or your own internal language, because it’s the thing that makes you distinctly you,” she said, offering advice that resonated with the creative talent in the room.
As the 70th Ivors drew to a close, it was evident that the event was not only a celebration of musical excellence but also a platform for artists to address wider social and political issues. U2’s impassioned call to “stop war” and the candid reflections of their musical peers underscored the enduring power of art to inspire change and spark conversation.
With moments of poignancy and celebration side by side, this year’s Ivors Academy Awards will be remembered both for its recognition of artistic achievement and for echoing a collective yearning for peace in troubled times.