Ivors Awards Turn to AI Protest Streaming Royalties
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- Ivors with Amazon Music held its 71st ceremony, rebranded to highlight Amazon’s partnership, and became a stage where artists denounced AI‑generated music and low streaming royalties.
- Tom Gray, Ivors Academy co‑chair, warned that songwriters still struggle to be heard and fairly compensated in the streaming era, a sentiment echoed by fellow co‑chair Roberto Neri.
- Harry Styles presented Thom Yorke with the Academy Fellowship, joking that he “lost his virginity to the intro of ‘Talk Show Host’” and linking Radiohead’s influence to his hit “Watermelon Sugar.”
- Elton John was unexpectedly honored with multiple awards, including the Ivors Academy Honour, and was named the first President of the Ivors Academy.
- Artists such as U2, Bruce Springsteen, Ed Sheeran, and The Killers attended, but the ceremony’s tone shifted to a “chaotic” critique of AI and industry practices.
Why it matters: Songwriters lose leverage as AI floods the market and streaming royalties stay low, while the Ivors’ Amazon partnership amplifies their protest, potentially forcing industry reforms and better compensation.
