Mercury Prize shortlist to be revealed this week
The traditional live performance element of the ceremony has also been dropped this year.
By Nick Reilly
The twelve albums nominated for the Mercury Prize 2024 will be revealed this Thursday (July 25).
The prestigious prize celebrates the best of British and Irish music and the shortlist will announced live exclusively on BBC Radio 6 Music from 11am by Tom Ravenscroft, who is standing in for Mary Anne Hobbs.
The winner will be revealed in September, but a break with tradition will see the usual live ceremony at Hammersmith Apollo dropped in favour of “other extensive promotional activity”.
According to Music Week, this year’s Mercury Prize will instead focus on “driving engagement via extensive digital content and exposure in partnership with BBC Music”.
In a statement, Dr Jo Twist OBE, CEO of the BPI, home to the Mercury Prize, said: “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.”
Dr Jo Twist OBE, CEO of the BPI, home to the Mercury Prize, said: “The Mercury Prize is a cherished part of our cultural landscape, celebrating the art of the album and recognising the exceptional creative achievements of diverse British and Irish artists across the many different genres that make up our thriving and global-facing music scene.
“We are delighted to deepen our relationship with our long-term partner BBC Music to promote the Prize across its networks, including its national broadcast and digital channels, to ensure the greatest possible impact and profile as part of a wider campaign to support the artists who produced the 12 Albums of the Year.”
She added: “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.”
Last year’s ceremony saw Ezra Collective scoop the top prize with their 2022 album ‘Where I’m Meant To Be’.