Ivor Novello Awards 2021: Harry Styles leads nominations for songwriting honours

Lewis Capaldi, Dave and Celeste also racked up nods ahead of this year's ceremony

Harry Styles is up for three gongs at this year's Ivor Novello Awards. AP

Harry Styles is surely on a Watermelon Sugar high, with the British musician leading nominations for this year's Ivor Novello Awards.

The awards, which celebrate achievements in songwriting and composition, also gave nods to Lewis Capaldi, Celeste and rapper Dave ahead of the 2021 ceremony, which will take place in September.

Former One Direction star Styles scooped three nominations in two categories alongside his writing partner, singer-songwriter Kid Harpoon.

The Sign of the Times singer is up for Songwriter of the Year and PRS for Music Most Performed Work, for both Adore You and Watermelon Sugar. The tracks come from Styles's second album, 2019's Fine Line, which followed his self-titled solo debut in 2017.

The 66th Ivor Novello Awards, which fete British and Irish songwriters and composers, will take place on Tuesday, September 21, in London.

The shortlist for this year's prizes also includes Scottish crooner Capaldi, who will go up against Styles in the PRS for Music Most Performed Work category, with his songs Before You Go and Someone You Loved.

Rapper Dave, meanwhile, is up for Best Contemporary Song for Children Of The Internet, while AJ Tracey, Celeste and Jamie Hartman, Kamille and MNEK will face off for Songwriter of the Year.

The awards are judged by individual category panels of The Ivors Academy-invited songwriters and composers, except for PRS for Music Most Performed Work. That category is awarded based on data for 2020 from PRS for Music, an organisation that represents the rights of songwriters, composers and music publishers.

“Over the last year, we’ve felt the power of songwriting and the stories told through music," Shaznay Lewis, Ivor Novello Award winner and chairwoman of the Ivors Awards Committee, said.

“The Ivors are so important because they celebrate where all the music begins – with songwriters and composers. The judges have chosen a selection of exceptional music that moves, unites and inspires us."

The awards, named after Welsh composer and actor Ivor Novello, was first launched in 1956, with notable winners including Adele, Coldplay, David Bowie and Eric Clapton.

The full list of nominees for the 2021 Ivor Novello Awards:

Songwriter of the Year

AJ Tracey

Celeste and Jamie Hartman

Kamille

Kid Harpoon and Harry Styles

MNEK

Best Album

Fontaines DC, A Hero's Death

Lianne La Havas, Lianne La Havas

Pa Salieu, Send Them to Coventry

Laura Marling, Song for our Daughter

Tom Misch and Yussef Dayes, What Kinda Music

Best Contemporary Song

Dave and Fraser T Smith, Children Of The Internet

Ashnikko, Daisy

Pa Salieu, Energy

Rachel Chinouriri, Give Me A Reason

For Those I Love, Top Scheme

Best Song Musically and Lyrically

Arlo Parks, Black Dog

Headie One & Fred Again.., Gang

Obongjayar, God's Own Children

Marina, Man's World

Celeste, Stop This Flame

PRS for Music Most Performed Work

Harry Styles, Adore You and Watermelon Sugar

Lewis Capaldi, Before You Go

Joel Corry feat MNEK, Head & Heart

Lewis Capaldi, Someone You Loved

Best Original Film Score

Black Mass, Calm With Horses

Anne Nikitin, Four Kids and It

Adam Janota Bzowski, Saint Maud

Daniel Pemberton, The Trial of the Chicago 7

Craig Stuart Garfinkle and Eimear Noone, Two By Two: Overboard!

Best Original Video Game Score

Ilan Eshkeri and Shigeru Umebayashi, Ghost of Tsushima

Jessica Curry and Jim Fowler, Little Orpheus

Gareth Coker, Ori and the Will of the Wisps

Best Television Soundtrack

Alex Heffes and Anoushka Shankar, A Suitable Boy

Geoff Barrow, Ben Salisbury and the Insects, Devs

David Arnold and Michael Price, Dracula

Matthew Herbert, Noughts + Crosses

Oli Julian, Us

Rising Star Award with Apple Music

Allegra

Holly Humberstone

Kamal

Rachel Chinouriri

Willow Kayne