The Mercury Prize nominations for 2023 have been revealed!
This year’s awards show will take place on Thursday, September 7 at the Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith.
The event will feature live performances from many of the 12 shortlisted artists and the evening will culminate in the announcement of the overall winner of the 2023 Mercury Prize with FREENOW for album of the year.
Shortlisted this year are: Arctic Monkeys – The Car, Ezra Collective – Where I’m Meant to Be, Fred again.. – Actual Life 3 (January 1 – September 9 2022), J Hus – Beautiful And Brutal Yard, and Jessie Ware – That! Feels Good!
Also in the running for the sought-after award are Jockstrap – I Love You Jennifer B, Lankum – False Lankum, Loyle Carner – hugo, Olivia Dean – Messy, Raye – My 21st Century Blues, Shygirl – Nymph, and Young Fathers – Heavy Heavy.
After two decades of making music, the Arctic Monkeys announced their return in August 2022 with their seventh studio album.
The rock band performed hits from the album, as well as revisiting their chart-topping back catalogue, for their headline slot at Glastonbury this year, despite frontman Alex Turner being diagnosed with acute laryngitis.
All six of Arctic Monkeys’ previous studio albums have gone to number one in the UK, while The Car peaked at number two, according to the Official UK Chart.
Meanwhile, Fred Again is a British songwriter, producer and DJ, who made history in 2020 as the youngest musician to become producer of the year at the Brit Awards.
He had his first worldwide hit with the 2022 album, peaking at number four in the UK album chart.
This year’s Mercury Prize shortlist also features a host of first-time nominees, including Raye, whose debut album features her number one single Escapism.
It follows a year of success for the singer-songwriter who also won the award for best contemporary song at the Ivor Novello Awards.
Among the acts in the running for the prestigious prize is London-born singer Jessie, whose 2022 record peaked in the UK albums chart at number three.
The debut from UK duo Jockstrap could also take home the gong, or perhaps it’ll go to Irish folk group Lankum? Or maybe Shygirl?
Meanwhile, hip-hop artist Loyle Carner and Scottish band Young Fathers are in the running too – so it’s anyone’s game.
As for the judges, this year’s panel consists of: musician and composer Anna Calvi, broadcaster Danielle Perry, musician Hannah Peel, musician and broadcaster Jamie Cullum, DJ Jamz Supernova, Head of Music, 6 Music and Radio 2’s Jeff Smith, music programming consultant Lea Stonhill, songwriter Mistajam, Kerrang! creative director Phil Alexander, DJ Sian Eleri, music writer Tshepo Mokoena, music critic Will Hodgkinson, and Jeff Smith as The chair of the judging team.
Last year’s coveted Mercury Prize was scooped by Little Simz.
The rapper beat fellow nominees Fergus McCreadie, Gwenno, Harry Styles, Jessie Buckley & Bernard Butler, Joy Crookes, Kojey Radical, Nova Twins, Sam Fender, Self Esteem, Wet Leg, and Yard Act to the gong.
Accepting her prize onstage, Little Simz – real name Simbiatu ‘Simbi’ Abisola Abiola Ajikawo – said she was ‘very overwhelmed and grateful’ to receive the accolade.
Other previous recipients have included Arlo Parks, Michael Kiwanuka, and Dave.
The Mercury Prize celebrates and promotes the best of British and Irish music.
It recognises artistic achievement across a range of contemporary music genres, with the shortlist chosen by an independent panel.
Mercury Prize 2023 shortlist
Arctic Monkeys – The Car
Ezra Collective – Where I’m Meant to Be
Fred again.. – Actual Life 3 (January 1 – September 9 2022)
J Hus – Beautiful And Brutal Yard
Jessie Ware – That! Feels Good!
Jockstrap – I Love You Jennifer B
Lankum – False Lankum
Loyle Carner – hugo
Olivia Dean – Messy
Raye – My 21st Century Blues
Shygirl – Nymph
Young Fathers – Heavy Heavy
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