The 2023 Mercury Prize with FREENOW ‘Albums of the Year’ have been announced, which celebrate and promote the best of British and Irish music, recognising artistic achievement across a range of contemporary music genres.
The shortlist was chosen by an independent judging panel and was revealed at a launch event on 27 July 2023.
The shortlist was announced live on BBC Radio 6 Music by Tom Ravenscroft, sitting in for Mary Anne Hobbs as part of a Mercury Prize special.
The 2023 Mercury Prize with FREENOW ‘Albums of the Year’ are:
Arctic Monkeys ‘The Car’
Ezra Collective ‘Where I'm Meant to Be’
Fred again.. ‘Actual Life 3 (January 1 - September 9 2022)’
J Hus ‘Beautiful And Brutal Yard’
Jessie Ware ‘That! Feels Good!’
Jockstrap ‘I Love You Jennifer B’
Lankum ‘False Lankum’
Loyle Carner ‘hugo’
Olivia Dean ‘Messy’
RAYE ‘My 21st Century Blues’
Shygirl ‘Nymph’
Young Fathers ‘Heavy Heavy’
The 2023 Mercury Prize with FREENOW judges are Anna Calvi, musician, songwriter and composer; Danielle Perry, broadcaster and writer; Hannah Peel, musician, songwriter and composer; Jamie Cullum, musician and broadcaster; Jamz Supernova, broadcaster and DJ; Jeff Smith, head of Music, 6 Music & Radio 2; Lea Stonhill, music programming consultant; Mistajam, songwriter, DJ and broadcaster; Phil Alexander, creative director, Kerrang! contributing editor, Mojo; Sian Eleri, broadcaster and DJ, Tshepo Mokoena, music writer and author and Will Hodgkinson, chief rock and pop critic, The Times. The Chair of the judging team is Jeff Smith.
The 2023 Awards Show will take place on Thursday 7 September at the Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith.
The event will feature live performances from many of the shortlisted artists and the evening will culminate in the announcement of the overall winner of ‘Album of the Year’.
The Prize’s broadcast partner, BBC Music, will be providing coverage of the event across BBC TV, radio, online and social media.
FREENOW returns as the headline sponsor of the 2023 Mercury Prize. The sponsorship is part of a multi-year commitment to support British music.
British premium audio brand, Bowers & Wilkins continues as long-term official audio partner of the Mercury Prize.
Tickets are available HERE.