Thom Yorke delivers furious message for industry heads: “Without us, you ain’t shit”
While being inducted into the Fellowship of the Ivors Academy at this year’s Ivor Novello Awards, Thom Yorke delivered a stern message to the music industry’s decision-makers.
During the London ceremony on May 21st, which saw the likes of CMAT, Sam Fender, and Lola Young take home key prizes, the ‘Weird Fishes’ musician took to the stage to accept the honour following a glowing introduction from Harry Styles.
According to a video taken by NME on the night, the Radiohead icon used his acceptance speech to serve up a harsh reminder that artists and artistry, not money, streams and press gimmicks, are what make the industry great.
“A lot of lip service is paid to new music with self-serving playlists, and to the idea of a vital music scene,” Yorke began.
He went on, “But there is a refusal to offer even a semblance of a sustainable revenue source for the majority of musicians. And they continue the nasty fucking opaque accounting tricks that major labels were doing in the Nineties.”
Yorke then offered up a “quick reminder to the top of the industry and streaming services: Pull your finger out. Where are you gonna get your next juicy back catalogues from, eh?”
His speech took on a grave tone as he warned decision-makers that “This industry will die and arseholes with it, if all you do is devalue the next generation of artists and their fans. Just remember: without us, you ain’t shit!”
The tone throughout the evening wasn’t as solemn as Yorke’s speech; in his introductory address, Styles told the crowd of artists and industry insiders that he lost his virginity to the 1996 Radiohead hit ‘Talk Show Host’.
Elsewhere at the ceremony, Dublin singer-songwriter CMAT called on her fellow musicians to stand up against the worsening sociopolitical climate, noting how “fascism is on the rise” while accepting the coveted award for ‘Best Album’.
Visit here to see the full list of winners on the night, including Lola Young, Sam Fender, Fraser T Smith, Kae Tempest, and Rosalía.
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