The Mercury Prize, formerly called the Mercury Music Prize, was created in 1992 as an alternative to the Brit Awards and is known for its eclectic mix of musical genres.
The first prize was won by Scottish band Primal Scream for their seminal album ‘Screamadelica’, with other Franz Ferdinand and Young Fathers the only other two acts from north of the border to have won since.
Other acts to have won include Arctic Monkeys, Skepta, Dave, Wolf Alice, Ms. Dynamite, Dizzee Rascal, Klaxons, James Blake, Pulp, Elbow, The xx, Suede, and alt-J.
And last year’s winner was Sam Fender for his album People Watching.
PJ Harvey is the only artist to have won the prize twice – for Let England Shake and Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea.
To be eligible for the prize over 50 per cent of a band’s members must be British or Irish, and submissions are made by record labels.
The shortlist is chosen “based solely on their musical merit and irrespective of how popular or successful an album or act that has been submitted may have been in the previous calendar year”.
The winner will be selected by a team of judges, namely AFRODEUTSCHE (Composer, DJ & Radio 3 Unwind & 6 Music Broadcaster), Danielle Perry (Broadcaster (Absolute Radio & Jazz FM) & Musicia), Jamie Cullum (Musician & Radio 2 Broadcaster), Jeff Smith (Head of Music, Radio 2 & 6 Music), Lea Stonhill (Music Programming Consultant), MistaJam (Songwriter, DJ & Broadcaster), Phil Alexander (Creative Director, Kerrang!/Contributing Editor, MOJO), Sian Eleri (Radio 1 Broadcaster & DJ), Sophie Williams (Music Writer & Broadcaster) and Will Hodgkinson (Chief Rock & Pop Critic, The Times).
Here’s all 12 nominees’ chances of trimphing at the ceremony to be held at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena on Thursday, October 22 - according to the bookies.
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1. Olivia Dean - 2/1
Olivia Dean has already won a Grammy, four Brits, and three MOBO Awards for her album 'The Art of Loving'. She's the 2/1 favourite to add the Mercury to her groaning mantelpiece. | Getty Images for MOBO
2. Nia Archives - 2/1
Multi-talented record producer, DJ, singer and songwriter Nia Archives is also priced at 2/1 to claim the Mercury for her album 'Emotional Junglist'. | Getty Images for Call of Duty
3. Dave - 10/3
Rapper Dave has already won the Mercury once - for his album 'Psychodrama' in 2019. He's the 10/3 third favourite to repeat the trick this year for 'The Boy Who Played The Harp' and join PJ Harvey as a two-time winner. | AFP via Getty Images
4. Raye - 6/1
Raye is another artist familiar with awards - she bagged a record six Brits at the 2024 ceremony. She's a 6/1 shot to win her first Mercury Prize for 'THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE'. | Getty Images