The 2021 Hyundai Mercury Prize has confirmed the line-up of live performances at this year’s Awards Show – playing live are Arlo Parks; BERWYN; Black Country, New Road; Celeste; Ghetts; Hannah Peel; Laura Mvula; Mogwai; Nubya Garcia and Wolf Alice.
Short films will be shown about the albums by SAULT and Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders & the LSO.
Broadcaster & author Annie Mac has been announced as guest presenter at the Awards Show. Annie is a member of the 2021 judging panel - and will be announcing the overall winner of the 2021 Hyundai Mercury Prize for ‘Album of the Year’.
Annie Mac said ‘This year’s Hyundai Mercury Prize shortlist highlights how remarkably creative and diverse British music is at the moment. Choosing one overall winner from these 12 outstanding albums will be a tough challenge for the judging team. I’m looking forward to announcing our decision at the Awards Show.’
The Awards Show will take place on 9 September 2021 at the Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith and will be hosted by BBC Radio 6 Music’s Lauren Laverne. Tickets are now available to watch an exciting line-up of artists who have produced the Albums of the Year. The evening will culminate in the announcement of the overall winner of the 2021 Hyundai Mercury Prize for ‘Album of the Year’.
The Prize’s broadcast partner, BBC Music, will be providing live television and radio coverage of the event on BBC Four & on BBC Radio 6 Music. BBC Four will broadcast Hyundai Mercury Prize 2021 Live: Album of the Year (9pm-10.15pm) and The Mercury Prize on BBC Radio 6 Music will be hosted by Tom Ravenscroft (8pm-12am).
Both programmes will feature live performances from the shortlisted artists as they lead up to the live announcement of this year’s overall winner.
BBC Radio 6 Music will also be celebrating previous winners with The Mercury Prize: Winners’ Playlist on Tuesday 7th September, 4am-5am, available to listen to on BBC Sounds, alongside mini guides to each of this year’s shortlisted albums.
The Hyundai Mercury Prize ‘Albums of the Year’ celebrate and promote the best of British and Irish music recognising artistic achievement across a range of contemporary music genres.
Hyundai, the title sponsor of the Prize, is thrilled with the list this year. Out of the most challenging times, has come the most extraordinary creativity, and as a brand that likes to push the boundaries ourselves, we’re delighted to hear innovative music that breaks new ground and inspires a better world.
As part of its ongoing commitment to support UK recorded music, renowned British audio brand Bowers & Wilkins continue to partner the Hyundai Mercury Prize, helping to celebrate the album format and the shortlisted artists’ creative achievements.
The majority of the artists shortlisted will perform one track from their shortlisted album. For tickets – please go to https://www.eventim.co.uk/artist/the-hyundai-mercury-prize/.
The 2021 Hyundai Mercury Prize ‘Albums of the Year’ are:
Arlo Parks ‘Collapsed in Sunbeams‘
BERWYN ‘DEMOTAPE/VEGA‘
Black Country, New Road ‘For the First Time‘
Celeste ‘Not Your Muse‘
Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders & The London Symphony Orchestra ‘Promises‘
Ghetts ‘Conflict of Interest‘
Hannah Peel ‘Fir Wave‘
Laura Mvula ‘Pink Noise‘
Mogwai ‘As the Love Continues‘
Nubya Garcia ‘SOURCE‘
SAULT ‘Untitled (Rise)‘
Wolf Alice ‘Blue Weekend‘
