The Hyundai Mercury Prize organisers have announced that they are planning on going ahead with the 2020 event, despite the continuing threat of the coronavirus pandemic. Included in the announcement was the exact dates for the 2020 return of the Mercury Prize.
It was revealed that the shortlist of the twelve ‘Albums of the Year’ for 2020 will be announced, on Thursday July 23, 2020. The subsequent Mercury Prize ceremony will then take place, at the Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, on Thursday September 10, 2020.
Plans for the 2020 Hyundai Mercury Prize have been announced.
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— Mercury Prize (@MercuryPrize) April 29, 2020
The return of the event will be subject to government guidelines relating to social distancing and coronavirus. The prize recognises the best new efforts in British & Irish music across a wide variety of music genres.
The 2020 return of the Mercury Prize, which is considered to be among the most coveted prizes in British and Irish music, comes after the 2019 award was won by, British rapper, Dave for his debut album, ‘Psychodrama’.
After winning the winner’s trophy and a cheque for £25,000, the acclaimed South London rapper performed his hit single, ‘Psycho’, from his winning album, at the ceremony.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dave said: “I don’t know what to say. I want to firstly thank God. I want to invite my mum up onto stage. I want to thank everyone that made this happen, I want to thank all of the exceptional musicians who performed tonight…I respect you all so highly.” In his solo acceptance speech Dave also thanked “my mum, my family, my friends.”
Among the other shortlisted artists, who performed at last year’s event, include Foals, Idles, Fontaines D.C., Little Simz, Slowthai, Nao, Anna Calvi, Black Midi, Cate Le Bon, and SEED Ensemble’s Cassie Kinoshi.
