Jacob Alon has spoken to NME about working with “hero” Kae Tempest, and why they will always feel “endlessly inspired” by those who use their platform to speak out on political and societal issues.
The Scottish singer-songwriter caught up with us backstage at the Ivor Novellos last week (Thursday May 21) where they took home the Rising Star trophy and the award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically for ‘Don’t Fall Asleep’.
Those victories came on the heels of a busy year for Alon, who has also secured the Critics’ Choice Award at the 2026 BRITs and won the Artist of the Year award from BBC Music Introducing – becoming the first ever Scot to do so.
This is all in the light of the critically acclaimed debut album ‘In Limerance’, which dropped last year, and secured Alon a support slot with Kae Tempest on his recent ‘Self-Titled’ tour. At those dates, the two of them came together to perform a powerful cover of George Michael’s ‘Freedom’. Speaking to NME backstage at the Ivors, Alon revealed that they have also been in the studio together working on a new project.
“Kae is one of my absolute heroes,” they shared. “We’ve been in the studio this week actually, writing together. I’ve never felt closer to another creative mind before.”
While Alon stayed tight-lipped when it came to details about the new project, the artist did say that it was “the biggest privilege to witness his genius and to be in the presence of something raw and beautiful”.
They also added that they were feeling “really excited for the world to witness” their new material.
The ‘Of Amber’ singer then spoke to NME about their devotion to using their platform to speak out on causes close to their heart. Recent months alone have seen Alon hold up a Palestinian flag at the BRITs and perform at the Trans Mission show in London where they spoke out on behalf of those “scapegoated by people who want to distract everyone from the real problems in society”.
“I’m endlessly inspired by those that use their voices and their platforms to speak out about what matters. I’m trying to do that myself,” Alon told NME. “It’s not easy to know what the right thing to say is sometimes, but I think the effort made to do that is always worthwhile.”
The comments align with that Alon told NME at the BRITs earlier this year, where they shared that they strongly believe “music is important and can make a difference”, and hinted at more joyful on the way – a shift from their tender, introspective debut album.
“Going into making something new, it’s already different. It’s a different place to create from because now I know what’s out there,” they said, joking that the new music would be punk-inspired and see the praise they’ve received go straight to their head.
Later this summer Alon will be joining the stacked line-up for Lewis Capaldi’s headline shows at BST Hyde Park. The gigs take place on Saturday July 11 and Sunday July 12, and others on the bill include Conan Gray, The Vaccines, Absolutely, Nieve Ella and more. Find any remaining tickets here.
As for the Ivor Novellos, other winners at the 2026 edition included CMAT who won Best Album, Fraser T Smith and Kae Tempest nabbing Best Contemporary Song, and Sam Fender being named Songwriter Of The Year.
Rosalía was also crowned International Songwriter Of The Year, while Radiohead’s Thom Yorke was handed the Academy Fellowship award by Harry Styles, and George Michael posthumously received the Academy Fellowship.