News

Bands Battle For Barclaycard Mercury Prize Award

• 8th Sep 2009

Tonight, Tuesday 8th September, sees the annual Barclaycard Mercury Prize Awards take place. The much coveted prize for album of the year is up for grabs and it is anybody’s guess who will win. The likes of Kasabian, Florence & the Machine, Bat For Lashes and Glasvegas, amongst others, will all battle it out. The Barclaycard Mercury Music Prize is based soley on the music and does not take into consideration sales, media exposure or live performance. Therefore making it a credible award and one that is highly sought after by artists.

If I was a betting woman I’d put my money on Florence & the Machine, she seems to be a hot favourite. Although, I wouldn't be too sure about anything as in 1994 M People's 'Elegant Slumming' beat Blur and The Prodigy for the title, so I guess you never know. Anyhow here’s the full list of nominees below and details of how you can catch the show.

The 2009 Albums of the Year are:

Bat for Lashes Two Suns
Florence & The Machine Lungs
Friendly Fires Fires
Glasvegas Glasvegas
Kasabian West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum
La Roux La Roux La Roux
Led Bib Led Bib Sensible Shoes
Lisa Hannigan Sea Sew
Speech Debelle Speech Therapy
Sweet Billy Pilgrim Twice Born Men
The Horrors Primary Colours
The Invisible The Invisible

Many of the bands and artists will be flying into the UK especially for the prestigious event, which will be broadcast on BBC Two, Radio 1 and 6 Music throughout the week. BBC Two will be broadcasting live coverage of the event from 10pm on the night presented by Lauren Laverne and Jools Holland. BBC Two will also be broadcasting a 70 minute special on Friday 11 September at 11.40pm.

On the website this week we have all the latest news and reviews. Our li'l old website has had it's make over, so now it's even easier to navigate your way around. In doing so you will find interviews with the delightful Dot Allison, Oasis' Andy Bell and many more. There is also a competition to win tickets to see Fei Comodo live in Liverpool. You want more? Ok, there are new videos from The Holloways, VV Brown and a whole host of amazing artists. Featured gigs for ths week are welsh wonders Goldie Lookin Chain, The Parlotones and Deaf Havans. Glasswerk Ireland also presents Romanovs Goodbye, Disconnect 4 & Audio.