This year the BBC have announced that the overall winner of the Mercury Prize will be revealed on the 5th of September. Their broadcast partner, BBC Music, will provide exclusive television and radio coverage as well as online and social media support.
The Mercury Prize is a prestigious annual music award that was established in 1992 as an alternative to the more commercial Brit Awards, with the goal of recognising the best album released by a British or Irish artist within the year. The award covers all genres, including rock, pop, folk, jazz, grime, and classical music.
Unlike other music awards that might focus on sales or popularity, the Mercury Prize is known for its emphasis on artistic achievement and innovation. The judging panel is typically composed of musicians, critics, and industry figures, and their selections are often noted for being eclectic and surprising.
In keeping with its alternative reputation, this year the award show will take a slightly different form. It has been announced that there will not be a live performance as instead of the usual awards event and live ceremony at the Hammersmith Apollo, there will be extensive promotional activity.
This year, the artists behind the 12 nominated albums have been invited to Abbey Road Studios where they will view recorded videos of their past performances. This will be filmed and broadcast live on BBC Radio Four from 8-9:15pm.
The programme will be presented by Tom Ravenscroft and Deb Grant, with Matt Everitt interviewing the artists responsible for the nominated albums. The 2024 nominated albums of the year include:
Barry Can’t Swim: ‘When Will We Land?’
BERWYN: ‘Who Am I’
Beth Gibbons: ‘Lives Outgrown’
Cat Burns: ‘early twenties’
Charli xcx: ‘BRAT’
CMAT: ‘Crazymad, for Me’
Corinne Bailey Rae: ‘Black Rainbows’
corto.alto: ‘Bad with Names’
English Teacher: ‘This Could Be Texas’
Ghetts: ‘On Purpose, With Purpose’
Nia Archives: ‘Silence Is Loud’
The Last Dinner Party: ‘Prelude to Ecstasy’
As reported by the Rolling Stones, Dr Joe Twist, CEO of BPI (British Phonographic Industry), home to the Mercury Prize, said of this years ceremony: “For the 2024 Mercury Prize we will work imaginatively with the BBC to deliver a premium programme of music content and digital engagement that will, as ever, benefit all 12 artists in reaching a wider audience, providing an important platform for their evolving career and musical journey.”
