Mercury Prize: Last News

Mercury Prize 2024 awards ceremony have been announced – find out more below.Today (August 29), the Mercury Prize committee have announced the two hosts being tasked to lead this year’s awards ceremony. They have been revealed as DJ, broadcaster and author Annie Macmanus (also known as Annie Mac), and BBC 6 Music presenter Huw Stephens.The news comes just a week ahead of the ceremony on September 5, which will be broadcast live from Abbey Road Studios for TV from 8pm until 9.15pm via BBC Four.

The Last Dinner Party have announced a ‘Prelude to Ecstasy’ film, following their debut album of the same name.The film will arrive on September 12, and the five-piece have invited fans to watch it with them at the premiere in Soho, London – and you can register here for the chance to attend. If you don’t get tickets, you can view it on YouTube at 8pm the same day instead.They announced the news on X, formerly Twitter, writing: “‘Prelude to Ecstasy’ the film, coming September 12th.

The Last Dinner Party caught up with NME at Lollapalooza to tell us about their Mercury Prize nomination, progress on their next album and plans for Reading & Leeds 2024The band’s Aurora Nishevci and Lizzie Mayland spoke to us ahead of their performance on the Tito’s stage at the annual Chicagoan music bash, just a week after their debut album ‘Prelude To Ecstacy‘ was announced as one of the 12 LPs up for this year’s Mercury.In a four-star review of the critically-acclaimed album, NME shared: “Some may choose to posit the band’s success as an antidote to the intense scrutiny – about their rise, appearance and decision to make music without a ‘serious’ intention – they’ve received in their early career. But take all of that away, and you’re still left with fantastic songs that are easy to embrace and return to.

Nia Archives has spoken to NME about her experience supporting Beyoncé, as well as her plans for Reading & Leeds 2024 and top tips for surviving a post-rave hangover.The Yorkshire jungle and drum & bass star appeared on the red carpet at the launch of the Mercury Prize last week (Thursday July 25), where it was announced that she’d been shortlisted for acclaimed 2024 album ‘Silence Is Loud’ – facing off competition from records by the likes of Charli XCX, CMAT, Corinne Bailey Rae, The Last Dinner Party, Ghetts, English Teacher, Beth Gibbons, Barry Can’t Swim and more.“I’m an overwhelmed, emotional junglist right now,” she told NME shortly after the announcement. “All the albums that have been nominated are amazing.

English Teacher have announced a special one-off free hometown show to take place in Leeds tonight (July 31) to celebrate their Mercury Prize nomination.The show, which the band announced on social media, will take place at Brudenell Social Club in the city, in collaboration with Fender. Doors are at 7pm and the band have confirmed it will be first come, first served.The indie band picked up their Mercury nod last week (July 25), with the former NME cover stars‘ acclaimed debut ‘This Could Be Texas’ being shortlisted alongside records by the likes of Charli XCX, CMAT, Ghetts, The Last Dinner Party, Corinne Bailey Rae, Beth Gibbons, Barry Can’t Swim and more.FREE ENTRY SHOW TOMORROW AT @Nath_Brudenell IN COLLAB WITH @Fender TO CELEBRATE THE BIG NEWS 7pm first come, first serve xxxxx pic.twitter.com/u48k7KomqE— English Teacher (@Englishteac_her) July 30, 2024Since receiving the news, the band have spoken to NME about what it means to be nominated, with frontwoman Lily Fontaine describing it as “mental”, and calling this year’s list of nominees “the best year yet.

BERWYN has spoken to NME about the political turmoil that shaped his Mercury-nominated new album ‘Who Am I’ – and his favourites to take home the prize this year.The Trinidad-born, Romford-raised rapper, producer, singer and songwriter was appearing on the red carpet of the launch of the Mercury Prize last week (Thursday July 25), where it was announced that he’d been shortlisted for acclaimed 2023 album ‘Who Am I’ – facing off competition from records by the likes of Charli XCX, CMAT, Corinne Bailey Rae, The Last Dinner Party, Ghetts, English Teacher, Beth Gibbons, Barry Can’t Swim and more.This marks the recent NME cover star‘s second Mercury nod, after landing himself a place on the shortlist in 2021 for his mix ‘‘DEMOTAPE/VEGA’.Responding to the rest of the shortlist this year, BERWYN told NME: “It’s tough competition for sure. Last time I was nominated for a mixtape, this time I’m nominated for an album.

Corinne Bailey Rae has spoken to NME about how her rock roots shaped her new album ‘Black Rainbows’, and what it takes to win the Mercury Prize.Rae was appearing on the red carpet of the launch of the Mercury Prize last week (Thursday July 25), where it was announced that she’d been shortlisted for acclaimed 2023 album ‘Black Rainbows‘ – facing off competition from records by the likes of Charli XCX, CMAT, The Last Dinner Party, Ghetts, English Teacher, Beth Gibbons, Barry Can’t Swim and more.“I’ve been nominated for this prize before,” Rae told NME. “To me, it’s all about being on the list.

Cat Burns has spoken to NME about her Mercury Prize 2024 nomination – as well as sharing her advice on how to survive your early 20s.Burns was appearing on the red carpet of the launch of the Mercury Prize yesterday (Thursday July 25), where it was announced that she’d been shortlisted for acclaimed 2024 album ‘Early Twenties‘ – facing off competition from records by the likes of Charli XCX, CMAT, The Last Dinner Party, Ghetts, English Teacher, Corinne Bailey Rae, Beth Gibbons, Barry Can’t Swim and more.Asked what it was about her album that had captured people’s imaginations, she replied: “I don’t know, to be honest! I think it’s a great album and there are a wide range of song topics. People can reminisce.

English Teacher have spoken to NME about being shortlisted for the Mercury Prize, their ‘rivalry’ with Beyoncé and progress on their second album.The Leeds indie upstarts received the Mercury nod yesterday (Thursday July 25), with the former NME cover stars‘ acclaimed debut ‘This Could Be Texas’ being shortlisted alongside records by the likes of Charli XCX, CMAT, Ghetts, The Last Dinner Party, Corinne Bailey Rae, Beth Gibbons, Barry Can’t Swim and more.Asked by NME about what it meant to be nominated, frontwoman Lily Fontaine described it as “mental” and called this year’s nominees as “the best year yet. Not just because we’re on it!”Quizzed on what ‘This Could Be Texas’ tells us about life in 2024, guitarist Lewis Whiting said that it aimed to capture the idea “that places are often far apart are often eerily similar”.A post shared by NME (@nmemagazine)For a band who have been very vocal about how difficult it is for artists to survive and thrive in the current climate, English Teacher said that the honour felt all the more profound.“There’s a lot of temptation to not continue making music because you physically can’t,” Fontaine admitted.

Ghetts has spoken to NME about self-belief, being nominated for the 2024 Mercury Prize, his work acting in hit show Supacell, and still fighting for justice for Stephen Lawrence.The rapper was appearing on the red carpet of the launch of the Mercury Prize yesterday (Thursday July 25), where it was announced that he’d been shortlisted for his acclaimed 2024 album ‘On Purpose With Purpose‘ – facing off competition from records by the likes of Charli XCX, CMAT, The Last Dinner Party, Corinne Bailey Rae, Beth Gibbons, Barry Can’t Swim and more.With his second consecutive nomination, the rapper and actor said he felt “absolutely amazing” to be up for it again – while tipping friend, collaborator and fellow nominee Berwyn to take home the prize this year.A post shared by NME (@nmemagazine)“I just create music, man – for the love, for the art,” he told NME. “I love music, I love listening to it, I love creating it.

CMAT has spoken to NME about being nominated for the Mercury Prize 2024, as well as more music industry action being required over the situation in Palestine.The Irish singer-songwriter (real name Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson) was speaking to us on the red carpet at the launch of the Mercury Prize yesterday (Thursday July 25), where she was shortlisted for album of the year for the acclaimed ‘Crazymad, For Me’ – alongside Charli XCX, English Teacher, Ghetts, Beth Gibbons, BERWYN, Corinne Bailey Rae and more.“Of all the things that have happened this year, this feels the most important, special and surreal,” Thompson told NME. “I’ve watched the Mercury Prize, listened to all the albums that get nominated and have followed it for years. I used to watch the stream as a teenager.

Ellise Shafer Albums by Charli XCX, the Last Dinner Party, Beth Gibbons and more have been shortlisted for the U.K.’s prestigious Mercury Prize. The nominees for the award, the winner of which will be revealed in September, were announced on Thursday morning.

Mercury Prize 2024 have been revealed, with the list including Charli XCX, The Last Dinner Party and more.Announced today (July 25), the 12 albums up for the award were announced live by Tom Ravenscroft on BBC Radio 6 Music.As ever, they were chosen by an independent judging panel, which this year includes Jamie Cullum and Mistajam, and albums released between July 15, 2023 and July 12, 2024 were eligible.Among those featured on this year’s shortlist are ex-Portishead member Beth Gibbons, for her long-awaited debut solo album ‘Lives Outgrown’ – an LP made over the course of 10 years and finally released back in February. Also being nominated for a debut album are rising indie-rock band The Last Dinner Party, who shared ‘Prelude To Ecstasy’ at the start of the year to a glowing response from critics.Others who made the cut include Barry Can’t Swim (‘When Will We Land?’), BERWYN (‘Who Am I?’), Cat Burns (‘Early Twenties’), Corinne Bailey Rae (‘Black Rainbows’) and corto.alto (‘Bad With Names’).Additionally, Leeds band and NME cover stars English Teacher have been shortlisted for their landmark debut ‘This Could Be Texas’ – which was described by NME as seeing the group “already dealing in brilliance” – as has Charli XCX for ‘BRAT’, which has become the soundtrack of the summer and a pop culture phenomenon since its release last month.The list is rounded out by Nia Archives’ album ‘Silence Is Loud’, Ghetts’ ‘On Purpose, With Purpose’, and CMAT’s ‘Crazymad, For Me’.

Mercury Prize was announced earlier today (July 25), and fans have been quick to share their responses online.The 12 albums up for the award were announced live by Tom Ravenscroft on BBC Radio 6 Music, and chosen by an independent judging panel, which this year includes Jamie Cullum and MistaJam. Albums released between July 15, 2023 and July 12, 2024 were eligible.Among those listed were Portishead member Beth Gibbons, for her long-awaited debut solo album ‘Lives Outgrown’, The Last Dinner Party with ‘Prelude To Ecstasy’, and English Teacher with their landmark debut ‘This Could Be Texas’.Charli XCX also made the cut with ‘BRAT’, which has become the soundtrack of the summer and a pop culture phenomenon, as was Barry Can’t Swim (‘When Will We Land?’), BERWYN (‘Who Am I?’), Cat Burns (‘Early Twenties’), Corinne Bailey Rae (‘Black Rainbows’) and corto.alto (‘Bad With Names’).The list is rounded out by Nia Archives’ album ‘Silence Is Loud’, Ghetts’ ‘On Purpose, With Purpose’, and CMAT’s ‘Crazymad, For Me’.Following the announcement, many have been quick to take to social media to share their thoughts on the shortlist.“Guessed Charli would be nominated, also Last Dinner Party.

Mercury Prize nominations are set to be announced later this week, and it has been confirmed that the live final ceremony has been scrapped.The shortlist of 12 albums will be unveiled live on BBC Radio 6 Music from 11am by Tom Ravenscroft on Thursday (July 25).As always, they will be chosen by an independent judging panel which this year includes Jamie Cullum and Mistajam for albums released between July 15, 2023 and July 12, 2024.The overall winner of the 2024 Mercury Prize will be revealed in September, with the Prize’s broadcast partner BBC Music providing television and radio coverage but not the usual live performance at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith. Further details on this will be announced closer to the event.Introducing the judging team for the 2024 Mercury Prize.

Lankum‘s Daragh Lynch has spoken to NME about the continued success of their breakthrough album ‘False Lankum’, and Ireland’s huge cultural footprint in 2024.Guitarist Lynch was speaking to NME after this was announced that ‘False Lankum’ had been nominated for Best Album at this year’s Ivor Novello Awards this week (April 13) – up against records by Sampha, Yussef Dayes, RAYE, and CMAT.Speaking about the prestige of the Ivors, Lynch said: “It’s more about in-house respect for people who do what you do, rather than any kind of public or audience buzz.”“The last year has been absolutely mad,” he continued, looking back on 12 months also saw ‘False Lankum’ nominated for the 2023 Mercury Prize. “It’s been very unexpected.

Mae Muller has spoken to NME about leaving her record label to become an independent artist, feeling “at peace” with Eurovision and headlining this week’s Club NME event.The 26-year-old singer-songwriter will take to the stage at London’s Scala on Friday (April 12) for a live headline set. She’ll be joined on the night by Self Esteem and special guest Raven Mandella – both of whom will be hitting the decks to DJ into the early hours.The legendary Club NME series returned last September with Courteeners playing in London before Blossoms delivered a special show in Manchester earlier this year.

The Zutons‘ Dave McCabe has recounted how Amy Winehouse telling him to “fuck off” led to her iconic cover of their song ‘Valerie’.In NME‘s latest series of Does Rock ‘N’ Roll Kill Braincells?!, in which we quiz musicians on their own career to see how much they can remember, the Zutons frontman opened up about how the cover came to be.“I met Amy three times in my life,” he recalled. “Once at the Mercury Prize, once in the Camden boozer The Hawley Arms, and once when I was hanging around with this Brummie lad called Boo, who was a tit.“He spent all night comparing me to her, saying: ‘If you’re a 1, she’s a 10’. I thought: ‘OK, I get it, she’s good’.

Roots Manuva has had his Mercury Prize trophy returned after moving house and accidentally leaving it behind.Manuva – whose real name is Rodney Hylton Smith – took home the award at the 2002 Mercury Prize for his album ‘Run Come Save Me’.Shared in August 2001, the LP marked his second studio album, following on from his 1999 breakthrough debut, ‘Brand New Second Hand’.

Mercury Prize winner Speech Debelle, following the musician losing an employment tribunal after bringing forward claims of racial discrimination.The singer rose to prominence in 2009 after she unexpectedly won the Mercury Prize award that year for her album ‘Speech Therapy’ – beating off competition from the likes of Florence + The Machines, The Horrors and Kasabian.Following the win, Debelle – real name Corynne Elliot – went on to work with ACE as a relationship manager for three years. She left the job in September 2021, and brought a tribunal forward against the organisation last year, citing discrimination.According to the claims brought forward (via The Guardian), the musician accused the company of microaggressions, bullying and harassment during her time there, and stated that the work-related stress was what led to her departure.

Ghetts has teamed up with London rapper Skrapz on his latest single ‘Twin Sisters’ from his forthcoming LP ‘On Purpose, With Purpose‘.Produced by frequent Ghetts-collaborator TenBillion Dreams, the track opens up with a cheeky and explicit verse with the rapper saying: “One night I stayed round / Now I know my way round / Used to wonder what the pillow saw when you’re faced down / I’ve been fucking twin sisters / they don’t make the same sound”.The song also comes with a head-spinning visual by Dutch director Geerten Harmens (A$AP Rocky, Lil Wayne, Gunna). The video sees Ghetts sitting on an invisible chair in a puffer jacket in a white room.It features trippy camera movements as the rapper walks around and is surrounded by other things, such as a couple dressed in what appears to be Victorian garb, a butler holding a plate of spaghetti bolognese and more.‘Twin Sisters’ follows Ghetts’ previous release, ‘Laps’ featuring the South African singer Moonchild Sanelly, which marked his first new single in two years.