FEATURE:
Top of the City
IN THIS PHOTO: Kate Bush in 1981/PHOTO CREDIT: Clive Arrowsmith
Why Kate Bush Is Overdue New Award Recognition
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I have brought this up…
IN THIS PHOTO: GRAMMY-winning, BRIT-nominated Olivia Dean, I feel, is an artist who you feel is influenced by Kate Bush, alongside so many other artists who released year-defining albums in 2025
for other Kate Bush features, but it does seem overdue that she is given an award. I am not suggesting that a spurious award is provided just for the sake of it. I was shocked that she has not been made a Dame yet. Considering King Charles is a fan of her music, why does this honour allude her?! Some suggested Bush was approached and declined but that is just speculation and wild guessing. I see no reason why she would decline being made a Dame. I think, more importantly, there should be a music honour going her way. It is great that the GRAMMY Awards are honouring some incredible people. Brandy being given the Black Music Icon Award is truly deserved. GRAMMY nominations have not evaded Kate Bush, though she has not been honoured with an award. Given her impact in America now and how Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God) has dominated and reached so many new people, her endurance and impact remains huge. I do feel like she is one of the most influential artists ever. I also recently wrote how so many of the best albums of 2025 were graced with Kate Bush’s D.N.A. and influence. Artists who have alluded to her and are inspired by Bush. It does seem like this will continue. The endless importance of Kate Bush. Whilst there is time to honour Kate Bush, I think this year is important. The GRAMMY Awards and BRIT Awards made their selections, and Kate Bush was not included. That is fine and fair. However, I have been looking at albums from last year. Those where you can feel Kate Bush’s influence. How she continues to affect and infuse the music world, even if she herself has not put out an album in nearly fifteen years. I am not suggesting we force her into the public and put her on the stage. The last time she was on a stage collecting an award was back in 2014. Bush won the Editor's Award at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards; and was subsequently nominated for two Q Awards in 2014: Best Act in the World Today and Best Live Act. Those honours were for her residency, Before the Dawn.
I think that is the most recent time she won an award. Bush was entered into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2023 but did not attend the ceremony. You do feel like she is overdue, considering everything that has happened over the past few years. How we view her now. Almost like she is entering a new chapter of her career. The Music Week Awards 2026 takes place in May. The YN Rolling Stone Awards took place last November, so throw ahead to this coming November, would that be a moment where Kate Bush is celebrated? That month marks fifteen years since her latest album, 50 Words for Snow, was released. There would be no guarantee that she would attend to pick up an award, though she is not averse to awards and being spotlighted. I do think, if it was an Icon award or a celebration of her career with this achievement or recognition prize then she would attend. I think Rolling Stone will be back at London’s Roundhouse this year. A terrific venue to bring Kate Bush to. Of course, this is just a fantasy. You cannot force people to give awards or make these big decisions. However, we need to think about how she really inspired so many artists. Not just this legacy artist who affected a certain generation, you can clearly see that she is as important to Gen Z and Generation Alpha as she is to people older. It is a bit scandalous that there has been very little in the way of award wins the past decade or so. There would be so much curiosity from people just seeing Kate Bush in the flesh. Maybe that pressure would be too much, though I am not sure whether that would be a concern if she were awarded. More than anything, it is this recognition I feel she deserves. How she continues to innovate and break ground nearly fifty years since her debut album was released. One of the most enduring and important artists ever.
I feel this year is the right time to award Kate Bush. I know that Bush will release another album at some point. When that album is released, I guess that there could be award nominations for that. Not that awards are the most important thing ort matter hugely. They do acknowledge the excellence of artists, songs and albums. As I see new artists turn up for the GRAMMYs and BRITs, you sort of feel like there is a lot that many owe to Kate Bush. You can feel her impact now among so many of those highly lauded artists. They are all deserving of their nominations. However, Kate Bush reached number one in 2022 with Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God). There was that Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2023. The Little Shrew (Snowflake) video and fundraising for War Child. The second wave of appreciation for Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God) last year. So many of the finest and most important albums of last year were released by artists who are fans of Kate Bush. For her constant relevance, charity work and the way in which she is affecting and touching new fans and younger generations, it would be nice to gather musicians legendary and new to show love for Kate Bush. This year marks twenty-five since Bush attended the Q Awards to collect the Classic Songwriter award. In 2020, Bush was made a Fellow of The Ivors Academy. I do think a Legend or Icon award should come her way. I am excited to see what happens this year. Weather Kate Bush will release anything. Maybe not a new album just yet. However, there are other possibilities and avenues. She is always present and you can feel her influence heavily today. Even if she has not been made a Dame and will never be, there is no doubt that she is…
A music queen.