The 2022 Mercury Prize: Date, start time, nominees, hosts, performances and how to watch
18 October 2022, 15:52 | Updated: 18 October 2022, 16:52
Sam Fender, Wet Leg, Yard Act, Self Esteem and more have made the shortlist for the 2022 Mercury Prize with FREE NOW Albums Of The Year... find out more about the albums here.
A new date for the 2022 Mercury Prize with Free Now has been announced.
The prestigious awards ceremony, which celebrates the best UK and Irish albums of the year was set to take place on Thursday 8th September but was postponed due to the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
Now a new date has been confirmed for the event, which takes place at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, London.
Find out everything we know here.
What's the new date for the Mercury Prize 2022?
The new rescheduled date for the 2022 Mercury Prize with Free Now ceremony is Tuesday 18th October.
The Awards Show for the 2022 Mercury Prize with @FreeNow_UK has been rescheduled for Tuesday 18th October 2022.
— Mercury Prize (@MercuryPrize) September 23, 2022
Watch on BBC Four and iPlayer from 9pm on the night.
Find out more: https://t.co/d1e3HK4UUr#MercuryPrize pic.twitter.com/WKbVJ362d5
Was the 2022 Mercury Prize ceremony cancelled?
Due to the news of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the evening of the event (8th September), the ceremony has been postponed.
"Our thoughts and condolences are with The Royal Family at this very difficult time," said the organisers in a statement, adding "We will make an announcement regarding future arrangements as soon as we are able."
READ MORE: 21 albums that incredibly never won the Mercury Prize
Who will perform at the Mercury Prize 2022?
Announced as playing live at the Mercury Prize 2022 are Fergus McCreadie, Gwenno, Jessie Buckley and Bernard Butler, Joy Crookes, Kojey Radical, Little Simz, Nova Twins, Sam Fender, Self Esteem, Wet Leg and Yard Act. Each artist was due to perform one track from their shortlisted album.
Harry Styles will be on a US tour and will be unable to attend the show, meaning a filmed live performance will be shown.
Who's on the Mercury Prize 2022 shortlist?
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Fergus McCreadie - Forest Floor
Fergus McCreadie - Forest Floor album artwork. Picture: Press The third album from the acclaimed Scottish jazz pianist, accompanied by bassist David Bowden and drummer Stephen Henderson.
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Gwenno - Tresor
Gwenno - Tresor album artwork. Picture: Press Welsh artist Gwenno Saunders with a second full-length album sung entirely in Cornish.
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Harry Styles - Harry’s House
Harry Styles - Harry’s House album artwork. Picture: Press The third studio album from the former One Direction man, and the fastest selling album of 2022 so far.
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Jessie Buckley & Bernard Butler - For All Our Days That Tear The Heart
Jessie Buckley & Bernard Butler - For All Our Days That Tear The Heart album artwork. Picture: Press The former Suede guitarist joins forces with an Irish singer and actress for a folk-tinged collection of songs.
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Joy Crookes - Skin
Joy Crookes - Skin album cover. Picture: Press The debut album from the London soul singer-songwriter, which made Number 5 in October last year.
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Kojey Radical - Reason To Smile
Kojey Radical - Reason To Smile album artwork. Picture: Press Kwadwo Adu Genfi Amponsah is a Hoxton-based musician and rapper and Reason To Smile is his debut album.
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Little Simz - Sometimes I Might Be Introvert
Little Simz - Sometimes I Might Be Introvert album artwork. Picture: Press The fourth album from Simbiatu Abisola Abiola Ajikawo, who hails from Islington, features the singles Point And Kill and Woman.
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Nova Twins - Supernova
Nova Twins - Supernova album artwork. Picture: Press The second album from London rock duo Amy Love (vocals/guitar) and Georgia South (bass).
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Sam Fender - Seventeen Going Under
Sam Fender - Seventeen Going Under album artwork. Picture: Press The North Shields singer-songwriter's heartfelt second album was a Number 1 hit like its predecessor Hypersonic Missiles.
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Self Esteem - Prioritise Pleasure
Self Esteem - Prioritise Pleasure album artwork. Picture: Press Rebecca Taylor, formerly of the folk rock duo Slow Club, goes solo with a startling album of unapologetic indie pop.
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Wet Leg - Wet Leg
Wet Leg - Wet Leg album artwork. Picture: Press Quirky indie pop debut from the Isle Of Wight duo of Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers.
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Yard Act - The Overload
Yard Act - The Overload album artwork. Picture: Press Debut album from the confrontational Leeds post-punk quartet.
Who are the Mercury Prize 2022 judges?
- Anna Calvi – Musician & Songwriter
- Annie MacManus – Broadcaster & DJ
- Danielle Perry – Broadcaster & Writer
- Hazel Wilde (from Lanterns on the Lake) - Musician & Songwriter
- Jamie Cullum - Musician & Broadcaster
- Jamz Supernova – Broadcaster & DJ
- Jeff Smith - Head of Music, 6 Music & Radio 2
- Lea Stonhill – Music Programmer, Radio X
- Loyle Carner – Musician & Songwriter
- Phil Alexander – Creative Director, Kerrang!/Contributing Editor, MOJO
- Tshepo Mokoena – Music Writer & Author
- Will Hodgkinson - Chief Rock & Pop Critic, The Times.
The Chair of the judging panel is Jeff Smith.
The judges said "Getting down to 12 albums this year was not easy, simply because there were so many remarkable ones to choose from. That serves as proof that British & Irish music thrives during unsettled periods in history, with the albums chosen covering everything from imaginative pop to pioneering rap to Cornish language folk-rock. We feel that these 12 amazing albums each have something to say artistically and socially, all in their own unique, enriching ways. Now comes the really hard part... choosing only one overall winner."
How can I watch the Mercury Prize 2022?
BBC Four will broadcast Mercury Prize 2022 with FREE NOW – Album of the Year on Tuesday 18th October from 9pm to 10.15pm.
READ MORE: Who won the Mercury Prize in 2021? Full list of winners
