2019 Hyundai Mercury Prize ‘Albums of the Year’ to be announced tomorrow
24 July 2019 - Press release
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2019 ‘Albums of the Year’ shortlist to be announced on 25 July
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2019 Judging Panel confirmed
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Amazon Music confirmed as 2019 Digital Music Partner
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2019 Hyundai Mercury Prize Awards Show on 19 September 2019 at Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith
The shortlist of 12 ‘Albums of the Year’ will be revealed at a live launch, hosted by BBC Music’sHuw Stephens, on Thursday 25 July. The shortlistwill also be announced live at 11am on Mary Anne Hobbs’ show onBBC Radio 6 Music.
The 2019 Hyundai Mercury Prize judges are: Annie Mac – Broadcaster & DJ; Clara Amfo – Broadcaster & DJ; Danielle Perry – Broadcaster & Writer; Gaz Coombes - Musician & Songwriter; Jamie Cullum - Musician & Broadcaster; Jeff Smith - Head of Music, 6 Music & Radio 2; Jorja Smith – Musician & Songwriter; Mike Walsh - Head of Music, Radio X; Phil Alexander – Creative Director, Kerrang!/Contributing Editor, Mojo; Stormzy – Musician & Songwriter; Tshepo Mokoena – Editorial Director, VICE.com; Will Hodgkinson - Chief Rock & Pop Critic, The Times. The Chair of the judging panel is Jeff Smith. New judges for 2019 are Annie Mac, Gaz Coombes, Jorja Smith, Stormzy and Tshepo Mokoena.
David Wilkinson, Mercury Prize Chairman said ‘There were over 200 albums entered for the 2019 Hyundai Mercury Prize - and the judges spend many months listening to these and then meet to decide on the shortlist of 12 ‘Albums of the Year’. This has been an exciting year for British and Irish music so it’s going to be tough for them choosing just 12 albums. After last year’s successful event we’re looking forward to an equally diverse and eclectic shortlist being announced by Huw Stephens on 25 July.’
The 2019 Awards Show will take place on Thursday 19 September at the Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith.
The event will feature live performances by many of the 12 shortlisted artists and the evening will culminate in the announcement of the overall winner of the 2019 Hyundai Mercury Prize for ‘Album of the Year’. The winner is decided by the judging panel on the day of the Awards Show.
The Prize’s broadcast partner, BBC Music, will be providing live television and radio coverage of the event on BBC Four and BBC Radio 6 Music.
David Pugh, Hyundai Motor UK Marketing Director, said 'Our title partnership of the Hyundai Mercury Prize has over the last few years been integral to growing awareness of our brand here in the UK. Our campaign this year will continue to support innovation in British music and we look forward to seeing what surprises the 2019 shortlist will produce.’
For the first time, Amazon Music will come on board as the Prize’s digital music partner, promoting the Hyundai Mercury Prize from the shortlist announcement through to the Awards Show in September. Amazon Music will also host the official Prize playlist featuring the 12 shortlisted artists and albums, as well as a selection of others. Music fans can also ask Alexa for facts and insight about the Prize.
The Hyundai Mercury Prize recognises and celebrates the ‘Albums of the Year’, establishing a reputation for highlighting the work of both exciting emerging talent and more established bands and artists. The shortlist of 12 ‘Albums of the Year’ is chosen by an independent judging panel and recognises artistic achievement across a range of genres. Albums by British and Irish artists with a UK release date between 21 July 2018 and 19 July 2019 are eligible for the 2019 Prize.
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