Submissions deadline for Hyundai Mercury Music Prize fast approaching
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
The deadline for submitting an album for this year’s Mercury Music Prize is fast approaching – with all entries to be sent in by this Friday 3 June at 6pm.
The awards, now sponsored by car maker Hyundai, are set to celebrate their 25th edition this year and bring in a number of changes including a high-profile set of judges, which so far include Jamie Cullum, Jarvis Cocker, Kate Tempest and Ellie Rowsell (from last year’s nominees Wolf Alice), producer Naughty Boy and broadcaster Annie Mac. The shortlist of 12 albums will be revealed at a launch event on 4 August, with the final awards night taking place on Thursday 15 September at the recently renovated Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith. Organisers have also said that ‘all six finalists and the overall winner will be announced’ on the night, with one voted for by the public (the first time this has ever happened in connection with the prize).
Record labels wishing to submit albums should sign up to receive more information at www.mercuryprize.com/info – albums eligible for the prize need to be by British or Irish artists and released between Saturday 26 September 2015 and Friday 29 July 2016 (inclusive). BBC Music will be providing live television and radio coverage of the event on BBC Four and 6 Music as well as profiling and playing music by all the shortlisted artists.
– Mike Flynn