The Bury-born musician will teach songwriting at the university’s Manchester Writing School
As twice winner of the Ivor Novello award for songwriting and composing, it’s safe to say Guy Garvey knows his way around a good lyric. So it’s fitting the Elbow frontman will soon be teaching songwriting as part of his new visiting professorship at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU).
Frontman for indie band Elbow - winner of the Mercury Music Prize and a Brit for ‘best British group’ - Garvey was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Arts by MMU in 2012. He’ll now join the University’s acclaimed writing school, led by Poet Laureate Professor Carol Ann Duffy DBE, as ‘Visiting Professor of Songwriting.’
I'm looking forward to working with names that everyone will come to know in a city that has nurtured some of the very best
The Bury native, who presents a weekly music show on BBC Radio 6Music, said: “I have been lucky enough to learn from some of the best ever. From Frank Black to Wayne Coyne. From Jolie Holland to Jimi Goodwin. From Jesca Hoop to John Bramwell. Robert Plant to Trevor Horn to Laura Marling to Josh Pearson. Steven Fretwell to Elton John. Ron Sexsmith to Matt Berninger to Lianne La Havas. Hamilton Leithouser to Kate Stables to Peter Gabriel.
“I'm really looking forward to working with young songwriters at Manchester Metropolitan University. I've never had a conversation with another writer that hasn't in some way informed my own work.”
Elbow have released seven critically acclaimed studio albums and recently returned from a European arena tour. The single Magnificent (She Says), from their latest studio album, has been nominated for ‘Best Song Musically and Lyrically’ at the 2018 Ivor Novello Awards.
Poet Adam O'Riordan, academic director of Manchester Writing School at MMU, said: “Guy joining the Manchester Writing School feels very special and we are all delighted to welcome him home.
“As the foremost lyricist of his generation and one of our city's most celebrated and well-loved native sons, he will bring a wealth of experience, passion and wisdom which will no doubt have a huge influence on the culture of the Manchester Writing School and the unique creative atmosphere that exists here in the city.
“Guy joining the Manchester Writing School builds on existing and growing links to writing for music such as the Rosamond Prize which we run in conjunction with the Royal Northern College of Music. We look forward to learning from (him) and contributing together to the sustained cultural fluorescence of Manchester and the wider region, as a new generation discover how to speak and sing what’s on their minds and in their hearts.”
