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 singer-songwriter and poet Arlo Parks for her album Collapsed Into Sunbeams.
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 2022 Awards Show will take place on Tuesday, October 18, at the Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith – after the Thursday, September 8, was postponed due to the death of the Queen.
Here are the bookies’ favourites to win – and their odds.
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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.
5. Harry Styles
Not content with being one of the biggest pop stars in the world, and enjoying a burgeoning acting career, Harry Styles is also in the running for the Mercury Music Prize. Harry's House is 14/1 to win. Photo: Dia Dipasupil
6. Gwenno
Former Pipettes singer Gwenno is 16/1 to take the musical trophy with her album Tresor. The Welsh artist's record is mainly sung in the Cornish language - a first for the Mercury shortlist. Photo: Contributed
7. Yard Act
Yard Act has another big debut this year - their album The Overload landed at number two, beaten by just a couple of hundred copies by Years & Years. The Leeds rockers are 18/1 to take home the Mercury Music Prize. Photo: Contributed
8. Nova Twins
English rockers Nova Twins' second album Supernova is 20/1 to win the prize. Amy Love and Georgia South aren't even sisters, never mind twins, and have been playing together since forming a band in 2014. Photo: Leon Neal