Mercury Prize Award Nominees 2021: Ghetts, Wolf Alice, Floating Points & more

The list of exalted artists nominated for the coveted Hyundai Mercury Prize Award this year has recently been revealed. Including twelve names representing a wide-spanning and eclectic range of genres - from jazz and soul, to hip hop, alternative and electronic - 2021's shortlist looks to be the historic awards most diverse yet.

Amongst those put forward for accolade are the likes of UK album chart-toppers Wolf Alice, who released their highly-anticipated third studio album Blue Weekend at the beginning of June, post-rockers Mogwai, who achieved the top spot for the first time in their 25 year career with As The Love Continues, and beguiling songstress Celeste with her debut album, Not Your Muse - the first British female to score a number one debut album in five years.

Other contenders include DJ/producer Floating Points with Pharoah Sanders and the London Symphony Orchestra, rapper Ghetts, Arlo Parks, rising star BERWYN, Hannah Peel, Ivor Novello Award winner Laura Mvula, receiving her second Mercury Prize nod, jazz composer Nubya Garcia and critically acclaimed British music collective, Sault.

The Beatles legend Paul McCartney in addition to an extensive list of celebrated names such as Idles, Shame, Goat Girl, Black Midi, Beabadoobee, Declan McKenna, Roísín Murphy and Bring Me The Horizon, to name a few, all narrowly missed out on making the final dozen.

Judging this year's competition, panellists include Hazel Wilde of Lanterns on the Lake, alternative guitar virtuoso, Anna Calvi, jazz star Jamie Cullum, BBC Radio One tastemaker, Annie Mac, and the winner of the Mercury Prize Award in 2020, Michael Kiwanuka.

The 2021 award ceremony will be aired live from the Eventim Apollo Hammersmith in London, on Thursday 9th September, across BBC TV and radio stations, and over social media. Those tuned in can expect to see world-class live performances from a number of those up for the award.   

Looking to catch some of the aforementioned nominees live over the remainder of the year? Simply click or tap on the artist names above for tickets and more!

If it's a festival experience you're after, or maybe you just need something to look forward to this weekend, you should try out our Festival Finder Tool or head over to our Things To Do page for some event inspiration!

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