Mercury Prize Reveals 2024 Nominees, Scraps Public Ceremony

The 2024 nominees for the Mercury Prize have been revealed, lauding great acts in the U.K. and Ireland. This year, the panel of judges includes jazz pianist Jamie Cullum, and British DJs MistaJam, Sian Eleri, and Jamz Supernova. It also includes journalists Phil Alexander, Will Hodgkinson, and Sophie Williams. Additionally, broadcaster Danielle Perry and music programming consultant Lea Stonhill will also judge. The panel is chaired by Jeff Smith, head of BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music.

In September, the winners will be announced. However, the Mercury Prize has scrapped the public ceremony this year for the first time in 32 years. According to a report from the Irish Times, the prize failed to find a sponsor for a live award show. Therefore, all live aspects of the Mercury Prize have not been planned, including performances. However, winners will still be announced and will still receive their award.

There are eight first-time nominees in the shortlist this year, including Irish songwriter CMAT, Beth Gibbons—nominated solo for the first time after winning in 1995 with Portishead—producer Nia Archives, songwriter Cat Burns, producer Barry Can’t Swim, indie band English Teacher, baroque-pop girl group The Last Dinner Party, and composter corto.alto.

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Mercury Prize for Outstanding U.K. and Irish Musicians Set to Reveal Award in September

The Mercury Prize 2024 shortlist is as follows:

• Barry Can’s 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

The Mercury Prize accepts self-submitted applications and chooses nominees from there. In that sense, there’s no way of knowing who has been snubbed or who simply didn’t submit. However, there are a few cases where the Mercury Prize may be lacking. According to the Irish Times report, the prize usually has a nod to British and Irish folk on its shortlist, but that is missing this year. Additionally, there are no metal or rock records on the list, even with bands like Bring Me the Horizon putting out their seventh album, Post Human: Nex Gen this year.

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