Mercury Prize 2021 shortlist: which albums were nominated and when will the awards ceremony take place?

Albums by British artists with a UK release date between 18 July 2020 and 16 July 2021 are eligible for the prize
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The Mercury Prize shortlist for 2021 has been announced.

But who has been shortlisted and when will the ceremony take place?

Here’s what you need to know.

Celeste, Arlo Parks and Wolf Alice have all been nominated for this year's Mercury Prize (Photo: Tim P. Whitby/Rich Fury/Ian Gavan)Celeste, Arlo Parks and Wolf Alice have all been nominated for this year's Mercury Prize (Photo: Tim P. Whitby/Rich Fury/Ian Gavan)
Celeste, Arlo Parks and Wolf Alice have all been nominated for this year's Mercury Prize (Photo: Tim P. Whitby/Rich Fury/Ian Gavan)

Who has been shortlisted for the Mercury Prize 2021?

Albums by British artists with a UK release date between 18 July 2020 and 16 July 2021 are eligible for the prize.

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Wolf Alice have secured their third Mercury Prize nomination, but face competition from newcomers Celeste and Arlo Parks.

The London indie band’s chart-topping third album Blue Weekend features among the 12-strong shortlist for the prestigious award, alongside Laura Mvula, who has secured her third nomination with Pink Noise.

All three of Mvula’s studio albums have been shortlisted for the Mercury Prize, but she is yet to win the award.

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Scottish post-rock group Mogwai have gained their first nomination, with Trinidad-born singer and rapper Berwyn’s Demotape/Vega also featuring among the nominees.

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Last year’s Mercury Prize was won by Michael Kiwanuka with his third album Kiwanuka, fending off competition from Stormzy, Laura Marling and Dua Lipa.

He is also a new addition to this year’s judging panel.

Here’s the full list of the 2021 shortlist nominations:

The Mercury Prize nominations in full:

- Arlo Parks – Collapsed In Sunbeams

- Berwyn – Demotape/Vega

- Black Country, New Road – For The First Time

- Celeste – Not Your Muse

- Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders & The London Symphony Orchestra – Promises

- Ghetts – Conflict of Interest

- Hannah Peel – Fir Wave

- Laura Mvula – Pink Noise

- Mogwai – As The Love Continues

- Nubya Garcia – Source

- Sault – Untitled (Rise)

- Wolf Alice – Blue Weekend

When will the Mercury Prize ceremony take place?

The ceremony will take place on 9 September at the Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, London.

It will feature live performances from many of the shortlisted artists.

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