Barclaycard Mercury Prize Nominations 2012 preview - entertainment news
The time is almost upon us. Tomorrow, the winner of the Barclaycard Mercury Prize - one of the most coveted awards in the British music industry - will be unveiled, and we'll be there to bring you the latest.
The Prize recognises the best albums put out by UK artists - both established and new − in the last year. To be nominated is an accolade in itself, but to win it can be the making of an artist. Dizzee Rascal shot to fame after his debut album, Boy In Da Corner, was crowned champion, and sales of The XX's brilliant first record XX shot up by 448% following their romp to victory.
So who's odds on favourite to be this year's winner? With a little help from the clever statistical types at Paddy Power, we've compiled a list of nominees, from the most likely to win to the least likely… And of course have included a couple of music videos for you to decide for yourselves who most deserves the Prize.
Want to know who actually wins? For the first time ever, the Barclaycard Mercury Prize will be announced at its very own awards show at the Roundhouse in Camden, London. Each act nominated will be performing especially on the night, and you can tune in to watch the whole thing live on Channel 4. Failing that, we'll be there! Hurrah! And we'll be tweeting the whole thing live. Follow us on www.twitter.com/GlamourMagUK to find out who wins first.
Alt-J
Album: An Awesome Wave
Description: Alternative British indie group of the quirkiest poppy kind. Good hair.
Winning Odds: 1/1
Richard Hawley
Album: Standing At The Sky's Edge
Description: Former Pulp guitarist turned psychedelic, folksy-rock solo star. Our Entertainment Editor's personal favourite.
Winning Odds: 4/1
Jessie Ware
Album: Devotion
Description: She was a journalist hacking away at the Jewish Chronicle a few years ago. Then she featured on a few SBTRKT tracks. Cue her impressive, urban soul debut, Devotion.
Winning Odds: 6/1
Plan B
Album: iLL Manors
Description: Established London-born grime star has apparently experienced a colossal return to form with this, the epic soundtrack to his self-directed movie of the same name. Still can't wear a suit properly, though.
Winning Odds: 6/1
Django Django
Album: Django Django
Description: Abstract British indie quartet hooked up at art school in Edinburgh and decided they should make some music. Or something. You can tell they went to art school. All that's missing from their Default music video is a pasta collage.
Winning Odds: 7/1
The Maccabees
Album: Given To The Wild
Description: You know who The Maccabees are! A controversial choice for many fans, who feel this is far from their best album. This track's alreet, though.
Winning Odds: 14/1
Ben Howard
Album: Every Kingdom
Description: English singer-songwriter of eligible vocal qualities (would totes marry those pipes).Looks uncannily like David Cameron in profile shots. But don't let that put you off.
Winning Odds: 14/1
Field Music
Album: Plumb
Description: Pop rock band from Sunderland who have been plugging away since 1994. Have featured members of both Futureheads and Maximo Park in the past. Pretty non-offensive.
Winning Odds: 16/1
Lianne La Havas
Album: Is Your Love Big Enough
Description: Super-cool soulful singer/songwriting chick from south London. Prince is a big fan.
Winning Odds: 20/1
Michael Kiwanuka
Album: Home Again
Description: He won't win any prizes for daring originality, but soulful Michael Kiwanuka plays out like a modern-day Otis Reading. Winner of the BBC Sound Of 2012.
Winning Odds: 20/1
Sam Lee
Album: Ground Of Its Own
Description: Poetic English folk at its guitar-twanging, paisley-wearing best.
Winning Odds: 25/1
Roller Trio
Album: Roller Trio
Description: OK, so they probably won't win anything.But check out the modern, experimental jazz threesome anyway. They're pretty darn cool.
Winning Odds: 33/1
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