Credit: Metro
The Hyundai Mercury Prize celebrates the best in British and Irish music, and this year could be its most diverse yet. There’s clearly a balanced ratio of bands to artists, and males to females, as well as a wide range of genres from post-punk to jazz. This definitely goes to show that this year’s panel are taking a step in the right direction.
The judges this year are Annie Mac (broadcaster/DJ), Clara Amfo (broadcaster/DJ), Danielle Perry (broadcaster/writer), Gaz Coombes (musician/songwriter), Jamie Cullum (musician/broadcaster), Jeff Smith (Head of Music: 6 Music and Radio 2), Jorja Smith (musician/songwriter), Mike Walsh (Head of Music: Radio X), Phil Alexander (Creative Director: Kerrang!/Contributing Editor: Mojo), Stormzy (musician/songwriter), Tshepo Mokoena (Editorial Director: VICE), Will Hodgkinson (Chief Rock & Pop Critic: The Times).
Their decisions will be made public at the awards ceremony which takes place on tonight at the Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith. The ceremony will also include live performances from all of the nominees!
The full list of nominees are…
Anna Calvi – Hunter
Released: 31st August 2018
Peak Chart Position: 22
Lead Single: ‘Don’t Beat the Girl Out of My Boy’
Genre: Alt-rock
Black Midi – Schlagenheim
Released: 21st June 2019
Peak Chart Position: 43
Lead Single: ‘Ducter’
Genre: Experimental rock
Cate Le Bon – Reward
Released: 24th May 2019
Peak Chart Position: 86
Lead Single: ‘Daylight Matters’
Genre: Folk
Dave – Psychodrama
Released: 8th March 2019
Peak Chart Position: 1
Lead Single: ‘Black’
Genre: Grime
Foals – Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost
Released: 8th March 2019
Peak Chart Position: 2
Lead Single: ‘Exits’
Genre: Indie rock
Fontaines DC – Dogrel
Released: 12th April 2019
Peak Chart Position: 9
Lead Single: ‘Big’
Genre: Post-punk
Idles – Joy As an Act of Resistance
Released: 31st August 2018
Peak Chart Position: 5
Lead Single: ‘Colossus’
Genre: Post-punk
Little Simz – Grey Area
Released:1st March 2019
Peak Chart Position: 87
Lead Single: ‘Offence’
Genre: Hip hop
Nao – Saturn
Released: 26th October 2018
Peak Chart Position: 56
Lead Single: ‘Another Lifetime’
Genre: R&B
SEED Ensemble – Driftglass
Released: 8th February 2019
Peak Chart Position: N/A
Lead Single: N/A
Genre: Jazz/African
Slowthai – Nothing Great About Britain
Released: 17th May 2019
Peak Chart Position: 9
Lead Single: ‘Rainbow’
Genre: Grime
The 1975 – A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships
Released: 30th November 2018
Peak Chart Position: 1
Lead Single: ‘Give Yourself A Try’
Genre: Pop-rock