Alt-J, Django Django, Jessie Ware, Michael Kiwanuka, Field Music, Richard Hawley and more vying for 2012 Mercury Prize
by Bill Pearis
Django Django at Glasslands, March 2012 (more by Dominick Mastrangelo)
The shortlist for the 2012 Mercury Prize, an award voted on by a panel of music industry professionals and journalists honoring UK albums of the year, was just announced:
The Maccabees – Given to the Wild
Jessie Ware – Devotion
Alt-J – An Awesome Wave
Richard Hawley – Standing at the Sky’s Edge
Michael Kiwanuka – Home Again
Lianne La Havas – Is Your Love Big Enough
Ben Howard – Every Kingdom
Sam Lee – Ground of its Own
Field Music – Plumb
Django Django – S/T
Roller Trio – S/T
Plan B – Ill Manors
Odds seem pretty good for Alt-J (who play Bowery Ballroom tonight), who have not only made a great album with An Awesome Wave, but also the kind of album the Mercury Prize voters like. Though, though we shouldn’t count out Micheal Kiwanuka‘s Home Again or Jessie Ware‘s Devotion. Now in its 20th year, this year’s Mercury Prize will be given out November 1. (I am rooting for Django Django.) Last year’s winner was Let England Shake by PJ Harvey.