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Music correspondent Mark Savage reports that CMAT and Pulp are frontrunners for the annual Mercury Prize, set to take place in Newcastle later this week. CMAT, an Irish singer, is leading the pack with her third album, Euro-Country, which delves into themes of loneliness and national identity with a touch of sharp humor. Pulp, previous winners of the prize, are close behind with their unexpected comeback album, More, while Fontaines DC are also in the running for Romance, marking their transition into the mainstream music scene.
Among the other notable nominees are pop artist PinkPantheress, singer-songwriter Jacob Alon, and folk musician Martin Carthy, who at 84 years old, is the oldest nominee in the prize’s history. Carthy, known for introducing Bob Dylan to British folk clubs in 1962, is nominated for his album Transform Me Then Into a Fish, a retrospective look at his extensive musical career spanning over six decades. Rock band Wolf Alice, with a nomination for their recent album The Clearing, have now been shortlisted for all four of their studio albums, having previously won the prize in 2018.
The award ceremony has shifted this year from London to Newcastle, marking the first time the event has been held outside the capital since its inception in 1992. Jo Twist, chief executive of the BPI, which organizes the Mercurys and the Brits, stated that the move aims to highlight and celebrate musical talent from all regions of Britain and Ireland. The change comes as part of a broader effort in the music industry to decentralize opportunities and showcase talent from diverse backgrounds.
The decision to move the prize has been well-received by artists like Pa Salieu, a Mercury-nominated rapper from Coventry, who believes that the prize should travel to different cities to engage with a wider audience. In Newcastle, leading up to the ceremony, a series of fringe events and concerts featuring local artists have taken place to engage with the community and provide opportunities for aspiring musicians. The anticipation for the award ceremony is high, with performances from nine of the 12 nominees expected, along with hosting duties by Sunderland native Lauren Laverne.
The 12 nominated albums for this year’s Mercury Prize include a diverse range of artists and genres, including CMAT, Fontaines DC, and Sam Fender. Full coverage of the event will be available on various BBC platforms, including television, BBC Sounds, Radio 6 Music, and BBC News, ensuring music fans can follow the award ceremony closely
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