It’s that time again – quite literally, after last month’s aborted attempt. Bands and artists congregate. Performances are performed. Expensive taxi rides are ordered late into the night, and there’s enough free fizzy pop to make Mr Coca-Cola blush. It can only be the 2022 Mercury Prize.
Recognised officially as a ‘pretty big deal’ to win, the Mercury Prize celebrates the best Albums Of The Year – looking back over another cracking 12 months in British music. Last year saw former Dork cover star Arlo Parks scoop the big one, with the likes of Wolf Alice, Arctic Monkeys, Dave, Michael Kiwanuka, alt-J, The xx, Skepta and more all celebrated winners over the years. Probably about time we crown one for 2022.
The good news is that a bunch of Dork faves have been selected as a part of the 2022 shortlist. From former cover stars Sam Fender and Wet Leg to legends like Harry Styles, Self Esteem, Yard Act, Little Simz and Nova Twins – you can check out the full list below:
Fergus McCreadie – Forest Floor
Gwenno – Tresor
Harry Styles – Harry’s House
Jessie Buckley & Bernard Butler – For All Our Days That Tear the Heart
Joy Crookes – Skin
Kojey Radical – Reason to Smile
Little Simz – Sometimes I Might Be Introvert
Nova Twins – Supernova
Sam Fender – Seventeen Going Under
Self Esteem – Prioritise Pleasure
Wet Leg – Wet Leg
Yard Act – The Overload
The bad news is, Dork is returning for yet another ‘famous’ live blog from this year’s ceremony – getting the vital insight and info right from the floor of London’s Hammersmith Apollo. By the floor, we mean the floor given usually end up dropping our phone and scurrying around in the dark looking for it while a superstar tries to perform on stage. Soz.
Expect debates over crisps, the pondering of what beer certain artists are drinking and – for this year only – trying to stake our claim to collect the prize for Harry Styles if he wins (he can’t be here because of something called a “Madison Square Garden” whatever that is?)
We’ll laugh, We’ll cry (mostly cry). We’ll be live from the ceremony from 7:00pm BST tonight with our annual Mercury Prize Live Blog – so follow us on Twitter and catch you here then!
