For the first time in its history, the Hyundai Mercury Prize is making tickets for the event available to the general public, while organisers have also revealed who will be performing on the night.
Taking place on September 15 at the Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, the Hyundai Mercury Prize will feature live performances from the majority of the shortlisted acts, including The 1975, Skepta, Kano, Bat For Lashes, Jamie Woon, Laura Mvula, Michael Kiwanuka, Savages, The Comet Is Coming, Anonhi and a special performance representing David Bowie’s Blackstar album. The only act that has not been confirmed to perform on the night is Radiohead.
This year’s outing will see the event made available to the general public with tickets on sale now at www.mercuryprizetickets.com. Tickets start at £35.
Also new for 2016 is a new fan vote element to the shortlist selection process, whereby fans select the first of the six finalists via an online voting system. The remaining finalists and eventual winner will still be chosen by Mercury’s judging panel.
Shaun Keavney will host the first part of the show on BBC Red Button and iPlayer from 8-9pm before handing over to Lauren Laverne for the live televised show on BBC Four at 9pm. BBC Radio 6 Music coverage starts from 6pm.
The 2016 Hyundai Mercury Prize Albums of the Year are:
Anohni - Hopelessness
Bat For - Lashes The Bride
David Bowie - Blackstar
Jamie Woon - Making Time
Kano - Made in the Manor
Laura Mvula - The Dreaming Room
Michael Kiwanuka - Love & Hate
Radiohead - A Moon Shaped Pool
Savages - Adore Life
Skepta - Konnichiwa
The 1975 - I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it
The Comet Is Coming - Channel the Spirits
The judging panel is as follows:
Phil Alexander - Editor-in-Chief, Kerrang!, Mojo and Q;
Clara Amfo - Broadcaster
Jarvis Cocker - Musician and Songwriter
Jamie Cullum - Musician and Broadcaster
Harriet Gibsone - Music News Editor; The Guardian/TheGuardian.com
Will Hodgkinson - Chief Rock & Pop Critic The Times
Shahid Khan aka Naughty Boy - Musician, Songwriter and Producer
Annie Mac - DJ and Broadcaster
Ellie Rowsell from Wolf Alice - Musician and Songwriter
Kate Tempest - Musician, Poet and Author
Jessie Ware - Musician and Songwriter
Jeff Smith - Head of Music, 6 Music and Radio 2
The judging facilitator is Simon Frith - Professor of Music, Edinburgh University.
