The Mercury Music Prize Awards 2024 have begun! (Picture: JMEnternational/Getty Images)
The Mercury Music Prize Awards 2024 have kicked off in style as Cat Burns and CMAT arrive on the red carpet ahead of the night of music.
Never afraid to push the boundaries of fashion, CMAT stunned in a frilly white gown with a corset emblazoned with her own album artwork.
She coordinated her makeup with the swirling artwork and flashed her signature tooth gems to the camera.
Meanwhile, Cat Burns rocked a brown leather jacket, tweed tie, and Kangol cap as she grinned at the cameras ahead of the ceremony; which starts on BBC Four at 8pm.
This year’s favourite to win Album of the Year is Charli XCX, with her Brat summer take over even influencing presidential campaigns.
While she may be the obvious choice, contenders include the beloved Irish singer CMAT as well as 00s pop icon Corinne Bailey-Rae.
Cat Burns stunned in a low key dapper look (Picture: JMEnternational/Getty Images)
CMAT’s style is known to be a colourful and unique (Picture: JMEnternational/Getty Images)
English Teacher, Barry Can’t Swim, Ghetts, and more are all in with a chance of securing the coveted award at this year’s ceremony at Abbey Road Studios.
The Last Dinner Party are also up for the prize, with Emily Roberts and Georgia Davies arriving at the ceremony in their familiar dressed-to-the-nines style.
Previous winners of the Brit Award alternative, which was first held in 1992, include Suede, Arctic Monkeys, Skepta, Arlo Parks, and Little Simz.
Last year’s £25,000 prize was secured by London band Ezra Collective who made history as the first ever jazz win for their album Where I’m Meant to Be.
The Mercury Prize, which is solely for British and Irish artists, insists judging is based on musical merit, irrespective of the commercial success of the nominated album.
Huge albums have been nominated previously such as Dua Lipa’s Future Nostalgia or Harry Styles’ Harry’s House but lost out to less commercial albums.
The Last Dinner Party rocked their signature style – even though they were missing a few members (Picture: JMEnternational/Getty Images)
Mercury Prize 2024 nominees
Barry Can’t Swim – When Will We Land?
BERWYN – Who Am I
Beth Gibbons – Lives Outgrown
Cat Burns – early twenties
Charli xcx – BRAT
CMAT – Crazymad, for Me
Corinne Bailey Rae – Black Rainbows
corto.alto – Bad with Names
English Teacher – This Could Be Texas
Ghetts – On Purpose, With Purpose
Nia Archives – Silence Is Loud
The Last Dinner Party – Prelude to Ecstasy
During the 90s Britpop battles, both Oasis’ Definitely, Maybe and (What’s The Story) Morning Glory were nominated with the latter defeated by rivals Pulp in 1996.
When speaking to Metro.co.uk after being nominated, Corinne Bailey-Rae shared: ‘It feels thrilling to be nominated for this record, it’s an album which means so much to me.
‘I’m just really happy for the record that it holds its own in this historic moment.’
Many of the nominees told us they were still processing the honour and English Teacher added they were ‘just happy to be recognised’.
When accepting their award last year, Ezra Collective emphasised how important the prize was for smaller British and Irish artists.
The decision will be made by a panel of artists and judges; including Jamie Cullum (Picture: JMEnternational/Getty Images)
Drummer Femi Koleoso said: ‘We met in a youth club. This moment we’re celebrating right here is testimony to good, special people putting time and effort into young people to play music.’
The year before this, Little Simz took home the award and gave a shout-out to her fellow nominees during her acceptance speech.
‘We all made incredible albums, we all changed people’s lives with our music and that’s the most important thing,’ she shared.
The 2024 Mercury Prize Winner will be revealed tonight during the awards ceremony.
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