Talking of the Ivor Novello's, the songwriting community was indeed gathered en masse in London yesterday for their annual back slapping fest - one of the more credible awards events in the music industry year.
Among the new talent given awards at the event were Franz Ferdinand whose track 'Take Me Out' won Best Contemporary Song, and Keane who won the prestigious Songwriters Of The Year Award. Mike Skinner of The Streets took the award for 'Best Song Musically And Lyrically' for his song 'Dry Your Eyes', while Snow Patrol won the Album Award for their breakthrough long player 'Final Straw'. U2 got the International Hit Of The Year award for 'Vertigo', while Bob Geldof and Midge Ure got Best Selling UK Single for last year's version of 'Do They Know It's Christmas'.
Other more established songwriters recognised at the awards included The Cure's Robert Smith who won an International Achievement gong, Lou Reed who got a Special International Award, Duran Duran who won the PRS Outstanding Contribution To British and Queen who were recognised for their Outstanding Song Collection. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards won the Special Award For Songwriting.
For those who enjoy these things, here's the list of winners in full:
Best Song Musically & Lyrically: The Streets - Dry Your Eyes (written by Mike Skinner, published by Universal Music Publishing)
Best Contemporary Song: Franz Ferdinand - Take Me Out (written by Robert Hardy, Alex Kapranos, Nick McCarthy and Paul Thomson, published by Universal Music Publishing)
Best Original Music For Television: Rob Lane for Blackpool (published by BBC Worldwide Music / Bucks Music Group)
Best Original Film Score: Jeremy Sams for 'Enduring Love' (published by MCS Music)
PRS Most Performed Work: Britney Spears - Toxic (written by Cathy Dennis, Bloodshy, Henrik Jonback, and Avant, published by EMI Music Publishing and Universal Music Publishing).
International Hit Of The Year: U2 - Vertigo (written by Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr, published (in the UK) by Blue Mountain Music)
Best Selling UK Single: Band Aid - Do They Know It's Christmas? (written by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, published by Warner/Chappell Music)
International Achievement - Robert Smith, The Cure
Songwriters Of The Year - Keane
Album Award - Snow Patrol - 'Final Straw'
PRS Outstanding Contribution To British Music - Duran Duran
Outstanding Song Collection - Queen
Special International Award - Lou Reed
The Ivors' Special Award for Songwriting - Mick Jagger / Keith Richards