The 1975 and David Bowie are among the twelve nominees for this year’s Mercury Prize.
The longlist was announced today, which included a nomination for The 1975 and their second album I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful, yet So Unaware Of It. The album was a global phenomenon and is currently the fifth biggest selling release of 2016.
Of the nomination, frontman Matt Healy told Gigwise: “It is surreal. I keep saying that it’s very humbling just to be invited alongside these kinds of artists – especially our contemporaries like Skepta too. It’s amazing, and it’s lovely to be involved in what’s happening right now. Whether it’s popular or something more leftfield – it’s a good day.”
The list also included a posthumous nomination for David Bowie, who’s album Blackstar was released two days before his passing back in January. The album went to the top spot on both sides of the Atlantic.
Other nominees include Michael Kiwanuka, Skepta, Laura Mvula and Anohni, who previously won the prize under the name Antony and the Johnsons.
The list was chosen by a panel of judges including Jamie Cullum, Jessie Ware, Annie Mac, Naughty Boy, Jarvis Cocker, Ellie Roswell and Clara Amfo. Industry experts Jeff Smith and Phil Alexander were also on the panel.
This year sees some changes in how the awards work. The general public can vote to select one album which will instantly become one of the six finalists. The judging panel will then chose the other five finalists and decide the overall winner during the ceremony.
The ceremony will be held at London’s Eventim Apollo on September 15. It will be hosted by Lauren Laverne, with the ceremony being broadcast live on BBC Four and 6 Music.
The 12 nominees for Mercury Prize 2016 are as follows:
- 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 and 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
Who would you like to see win this year’s Mercury Prize? Let us know on Twitter @CelebMix.