Soul singer Laura Mvula is favourite to win tonight’s Mercury Prize ahead of acts including music veteran David Bowie and previous winners Arctic Monkeys.
Bookmakers have made Birmingham-born Mvula 4/6 to win followed by electronic duo Disclosure, rockers Foals and Bowie who surprised fans by returning to music with his The Next Day album.
The 12-strong list for the event includes seven acts who have previously featured on the shortlist since the prize was launched in 1992.
Arctic Monkeys – who took the prize in 2006 – and singer-songwriter Laura Marling each make it on to the list for a third time, while Foals, James Blake and Villagers are among those who make their second appearance in the nominations list.
Bowie, who rarely plays live now, is the only one of the 12 shortlisted acts that will not perform at the event at the Roundhouse in north London.
The list, which includes five debuts by the likes of 19-year-old Jake Bugg and Disclosure, was drawn from 220 albums submitted to the judging panel.
The other first-timers are Mvula, Savages and Rudimental. Inclusion on the shortlist usually ensures an instant boost in sales for nominated artists, who hope to emulate last year’s winners Alt-J who triumphed with debut album An Awesome Wave.
Other winners over the years have included Elbow, Klaxons and two-time winner PJ Harvey.
The £20,000 prize is open to British and Irish acts and aims to reward the best album of the year.
:: Arctic Monkeys – AM
The Sheffield quartet’s album is described by Mercury judges as “a bold new chapter in the Arctic Monkeys’ story – sonically gripping, lyrically involving and brilliantly performed”.
:: David Bowie – The Next Day
The pop veteran released his 24th studio album earlier this year, which judges say “celebrates his legendary songwriting ability with panache and a remarkable sense of urgency”.
:: Disclosure – Settle
Made up of musician brothers Howard and Guy Lawrence from Reigate in Surrey, the electronic duo have played numerous European festivals.
:: Foals – Holy Fire
Holy Fire is the third album by the Oxford quintet and marks their second inclusion on the Mercury shortlist following Total Life Forever in 2010.
:: Jake Bugg – Jake Bugg
The 19-year-old singer-songwriter from Nottingham released his debut in October 2012, which judges say is “fluent, restless, acutely observed songs of teenage life in contemporary Britain”.
:: James Blake – Overgrown
The Goldsmiths College music graduate was previously nominated for the Mercury for his self-titled debut album which he recorded at his home in New Cross, southeast London. His latest work is described as “late night music for the digital age”.
:: Jon Hopkins – Immunity
He has also been a Mercury contender in 2011 for his collaboration with prolific recording artist King Creosote for the album Diamond Mine. Hopkins is also known for his production work with Brian Eno and Coldplay.
:: Laura Marling – Once I Was An Eagle
The indie-folk singer recorded the album in Bath and Wiltshire with respected producer Ethan Johns, with whom she has previously worked, and it reached number three in the charts.
:: Laura Mvula – Sing to the Moon
Mvula, a graduate from the Birmingham Conservatoire, released her debut album in March 2013 and was among the performers at the BBC’s Urban Prom at the Royal Albert Hall in August.
:: Rudimental – Home
Rudimental have worked with guest vocalists such as John Newman and have already notched up two chart-topping singles with Feel The Love and Waiting All Night.
:: Savages – Silence Yourself
The all-female pop-punk act – with a name inspired by literary classic Lord Of The Flies – formed two years ago and made their debut supporting British Sea Power.
:: Villagers – Awayland
The act’s debut Becoming A Jackal was shortlisted in 2010 and the title track of that album was nominated for an Ivor Novello Award.
Source Article from http://uk.news.yahoo.com/mercury-music-prize-winner-announced-tonight-091253454.html
Mercury Music Prize Winner Announced Tonight
No comments:
Post a Comment