In a surprise victory, Leeds-based indie band English Teacher took home the 2024 Mercury Prize for their debut album, This Could Be Texas. The four-piece, who formed at Leeds Conservatoire in 2020, became the first act from outside of London to win the prestigious award since Young Fathers in 2014, and the group used the occasion to highlight concerns about London-centrism in the industry.
The band’s album was praised by judges for its “originality and character,” with a unique blend of surrealist lyrics and social commentary layered over a fresh interpretation of the traditional guitar band sound. The prize, which seeks to recognize artistic achievement in album form, awarded the band £25,000 along with widespread industry recognition.
Frontwoman Lily Fontaine took the stage at Abbey Road Studios to accept the award, thanking her mother, who designed the album’s artwork. The rest of the band, including guitarist Lewis Whiting, drummer Douglas Frost, and bassist Nicholas Eden, seemed stunned by the win, with Fontaine admitting: “We didn’t really plan this far. What do we do now?”
English Teacher was one of three acts from Leeds nominated for this year’s Mercury Prize, alongside rising jungle star Nia Archives and veteran singer-songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae. The array of Yorkshire-based nominated artists gave the winners an opportunity to praise the creativity and influence of the northern music scene, which Fontaine and bandmates made sure to emphasise in their acceptance speech.
“There’s real support for musicians in Leeds at the moment,” Fontaine said, singling out local venues like the Hyde Park Book Club and the Brudenell Social Club for fostering emerging talent. “Without the support of the people in that scene, we wouldn’t be here.” Whiting echoed those sentiments, calling the Mercury’s nine-year streak of awarding London-based acts “ridiculous.” “There’s so much going on outside London,” he said, highlighting the vibrant scenes in the north of England. “It’s crazy it’s been going on for so long.”
Critics have applauded English Teacher for their ability to carve out a distinct sound amid a crowded post-punk scene, which is largely dominated by acts from London. In a glowing 9/10 review, The Line of Best Fit praised the band’s “northern charm” and originality, setting them apart from their contemporaries.
The band’s win comes at a pivotal time for English Teacher. Despite a solid critical reception and regular radio play, the band recently announced they were cancelling their upcoming U.S. tour “for health reasons.”
In a recent interview with The Guardian, Fontaine spoke about the challenges faced by even successful acts in the industry, sharing that many artists still rely on Universal Credit or live with family while navigating their careers. The Mercury Prize ceremony itself also drew attention to the financial pressures on the music industry. For the first time in years, the event had no sponsor after its partnership with taxi company Freenow ended. As a result, the usual live performances were scrapped, and the show was scaled back to a broadcast from Abbey Road.
