Sam Fender, Rosalía and Jacob Alon win Ivor Novello Awards

Sam Fender, Rosalía and Jacob Alon win Ivor Novello AwardsJust nowShareSaveAdd as preferred on GooglePaul Glynn & Lola SchroerCulture reportersGetty ImagesSam Fender took home songwriter of the yearSam Fender, Rosalía and Jacob Allen were among the big winners at this year's Ivor Novello Awards, as Sir Elton John received a special honour. Geordie singer Fender accepted the prestigious prize, with officials saying he had become one of "the defining voices in modern British music and storytelling". Catalan superstar Rosalía was presented with international songwriter of the year, while Scottish alt-folk singer Alon beat off competition from Self Esteem and Wolf Alice to win best song musically and lyrically for their song Don't Fall Asleep. Sir Elton was also honoured as he was announced as the Ivors Academy's first-ever president. The Ivor Novello Awards, are coveted in the UK music industry because they specifically recognise the importance of songwriting. Fender, known for albums including People Watching and Seventeen Going Under, was praised by the Academy for his "sharp social commentary and emotionally honest songwriting".Catalan superstar Rosalía was presented with a new award, international songwriter of the year, after breaking through with her genre-melding, neo-classical and multi-lingual album Lux.The Ivors Academy said she had "pushed the boundaries of global songwriting and experimental pop". As she accepted her award, on stage at London's Grosvenor House, she took the opportunity to stand up for more diverse songwriting voices.She stated that there are "countless outstanding writers which will not be recognised as they deserve because they aren't middle-class white Europeans, whose upbringing has been sufficiently stable for them to turn a hint of talent into a successful career."PARosalía won international songwriter of the yearLily Allen, who returned last year to great acclaim wit...