It’s time in the UK again to celebrate brilliant new music. Find out who the Mercury Prize 2021 nominees are right here!

What Is the Mercury Prize?

The Mercury Prize celebrates the best of British and Irish music, recognising achievement across a range of contemporary genres. Unlike the Grammys or the Brits, there aren’t multiple categories. Instead, 12 albums are shortlisted as “Albums of the Year”, and there is then one overall winner. The prize is open to all genres, making it wonderfully diverse and exciting.

The winner of the Mercury Prize will receive a specially commissioned “Album of the Year” trophy, along with a cash prize of £25,000. An independent panel of judges decides who to shortlist, and the same panel agrees on a winner. This panel is made up of musicians, radio DJs, music writers, critics and consultants.

The prize likens itself to the Turner Prize for art and the Booker Prize for literature, just for music.

Mercury Prize 2021 Nominees

This year, the Mercury Prize 2021 shortlist consists of debut albums, seasoned artists, and exciting returns.

• Collapsed in Sunbeams – Arlo Parks
• Demotape/Vega – Berwyn
• For The First Time – Black Country, New Road
• Not Your Muse – Celeste
• Promises – Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders & The London Symphony Orchestra
• Conflict of Interest – Ghetts
• Fir Wave – Hannah Peel
• Pink Noise – Laura Mvula
• As The Love Continues – Mogwai
• Source – Nubya Garcia
• Rise – Sault
• Blue Weekend – Wolf Alice

When Is the Winner Announced?

The Mercury Prise 2021 will take place on the 9th September at the Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith at 8pm. The ceremony will include live performances from 10 of the 12 nominees, including Arlo Parks, Mogwai, and Black Country, New Road.

The event is set to be hosted by BBC 6 Music’s Lauren Laverne, with guest hosting from Radio 1 alumni royalty, Annie Mac. Tom Ravenscroft will be hosting the event live on BBC 6 Music from 8pm-10pm as well. Fans will also be able to watch live on BBC 4 and iPlayer from 9pm.