Guy Garvey, frontman of Elbow, spoke to NME at the 2026 Ivor Novello Awards about his friendship with Robert Smith of The Cure and the band’s plans for a new album.Garvey described Smith as a “wonderful man” who personally invited Elbow to perform at the 2025 Teenage Cancer Trust gigs.

Reflecting on Elbow’s recent work, he revealed that the band is preparing their 11th album, which he described as “sonically ambitious,” though he noted it is still early in the creative process.

Garvey also expressed pride in the 25th anniversary of their debut album, ‘Asleep In The Back,’ acknowledging its edgier tone and the sense of disgruntlement captured in the music.

Beyond new releases, Garvey emphasised the importance of supporting grassroots music venues, recalling Elbow’s initiative with Co-Op Live to donate sound equipment to Manchester’s independent spaces.

He highlighted how such venues nurture a wide spectrum of artists, authors, and creatives, and stressed that small city venues form the soul of local culture.

The interview additionally mentioned other Ivor Novello 2026 winners, including Rosalía, Thom Yorke, and Sam Fender, situating Elbow’s updates within a broader music industry context.