The news means that the Irish band are the first-ever Irish songwriters to join the fellowship.
It has been announced today that U2 (Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr.)will be inducted into Fellowship at the 70th edition of the world’s biggest and most prestigious celebration of songwriters, The Ivors with Amazon Music, which takes place at Grosvenor House in London on Thursday 22 May 2025.
Formed in 1978, U2’s songwriting is distinctive and their career has featured some of biggest songs in rock history including: ‘I Will Follow’, ‘Pride (In The Name of Love)’, ‘Bad’, ‘I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For’, ‘With or Without You’, ‘One’, ‘Beautiful Day’, ‘Walk On’, ‘Vertigo’, ‘Magnificent’ and ‘Ordinary Love’.
Since their career began nearly five decades ago, the band have released fifteen albums, sold more 175 million records worldwide and had 28 tours. They are also the only band to have topped the Billboard 200 in the US in four successive decades.
Among their numerous accolades, U2 have won 22 GRAMMY awards and Amnesty International’s Ambassador of Conscience award, as well as four Ivor Novello Awards – winning the Special Award for International Achievement in 1994, Best Song Musically and Lyrically for ‘Walk On’ in 2002, Outstanding Song Collection in 2003 and International Hit of the Year for ‘Vertigo’ in 2005.
Induction into Fellowship of The Ivors Academy is an honour reserved for legendary songwriters and composers who have mastered and defined their craft. With U2’s inclusion, the total number of Fellows rises to 32. As the highest tier of Academy membership, Fellowship places U2 alongside pioneering songwriters such as Paul McCartney, Kate Bush, Joan Armatrading and Bruce Springsteen – who became the first international songwriter to receive the honour last year.
Talking about the news, 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.”