The Ivors Academy has announced that U2 will formally become Academy Fellows later this year.
The highest honour bestowed by the organisation, the Fellowship already includes the likes of Paul McCartney, Kate Bush and Bruce Springsteen — who became the first international songwriter to receive the honour last year.
Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. will become the first-ever Irish songwriters to be inducted into the Fellowship in its 81-year history, with the Academy highlighting U2 for producing ‘one of the greatest songwriting partnerships and [becoming one of the] most influential bands of all time’.
In a statement, U2 frontman Bono said: ‘We were a band before we could play, let alone write songs… In fact, it was our inability to play other people’s songs that kicked off our own songwriting. Early musical heroes like The Ramones, Patti Smith, The Clash were our inspiration. There’s alchemy at play, turning base metals into gold… your shite into gold would be another way of putting it.’
The Edge added: ‘Songs are kind of magic. The best ones feel like gifts from some other dimension, but to catch them you have to make yourself available. I’m not sure songs can change the world but they sure have changed mine.’
Bassist Adam Clayton said that to be recognised by the Academy 'feels very special indeed': 'The appreciation of one’s peers is a humbling honour and we are immensely grateful. We’ve been playing our songs in this country for over 45 years, thank you to all those who have not just supported us, but carried us... producers, engineers, crew, fans, management, label.’
Drummer Larry Mullen Jr. added: ‘Making music collectively, as we’ve done for close to 50 years, has been an incredible experience and privilege for the four of us and I believe it’s a testament to a band that values individual creativity and independence of mind. We are grateful to each other and very grateful to The Ivors Academy for recognising us with this award.’
The total number of Academy Fellows — who are described as ‘legendary songwriters and composers who have mastered and defined their craft’ — will now rise to 32. Reflecting on the latest additions to the Fellowship, Tom Gray, Chair of The Ivors Academy, said: 'With fearless poetic lyricism always centre-stage in panoramic musical vistas, the sound of U2 has redefined the fabric of popular music. Their songs are sweeping catalysts: hymnals and rallying cries. U2’s induction into Fellowship honours their seminal contributions to music through exceptional songwriting craft.'
Roberto Neri, CEO of The Ivors Academy, added: 'We are proud to welcome U2 to Fellowship of The Ivors Academy as era-defining songwriters whose legacy continues to propel musical innovation and inspire social progress. As U2’s politically charged anthems have sparked global change, The Ivors Academy is committed to championing creative integrity with the same unwavering passion.
'At a time when AI threatens to undermine human creativity, U2’s Fellowship stands as a testament to the irreplaceable role of songwriters and composers in shaping culture and inspiring change.'
U2's Fellowship will be officially celebrated during The Ivors 2025, which will take place on 22 May at Grosvenor House in central London. This year’s nominees will be announced on 23 April.
