News

August, 30

Mercury Prize Awards to feature 'special performance' of Bowie's Blackstar

The 2016 Mercury Prize Awards Show will pay tribute to David Bowie with a "special performance" of his last LP 'Blackstar'.

The 'Space Oddity' hitmaker will be remembered as musicians show their appreciation for the late music icon - who tragically died in January at the age of 69 from cancer - by showcasing his 25th album which was released days before he passed away on January 10.

It's the third time Bowie has been nominated having previously been up for the prestigious accolade in 2002 for 'Heathen' and in 2013 for 'The Next Day'.

It has also been confirmed that shortlisted artists, Laura Mvula, The 1975, Skepta, Bat For Lashes, Kano, Jamie Woon, Michael Kiwanuka, Savages, The Comet Is Coming and Anonhi will also take to the stage at the awards ceremony held on September 15 at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, London.

The full shortlist of 12 nominated albums were announced at a ceremony hosted by 6 Music's Shaun Keaveny in London earlier this month and features a diverse range of artists from Radiohead to grime stars Kano and Skepta.

The judging panel said "This is music to make sense of our unsettling times - heartfelt, angry, thoughtful and thrilling. The 2016 Hyundai Mercury Prize 'Albums of the Year' are marked by their musical ambitions, unexpected instrumentation and breathtaking arrangements."

The prize aims to celebrate the best British albums from the past year.

The shortlist, five remaining finalists and the overall winner are judged solely on artistic merit.

The online vote is now open, which will enable music fans to select the first of six 2016 finalists from the 12 'Albums of the Year'. To vote visit www.mercuryprize.com

For the first time this year, the general public can purchase tickets.

2016 Hyundai Mercury Prize Albums of the Year nominations are:

Anohni - 'Hopelessness'

Bat For Lashes - 'The Bride'

David Bowie - 'Blackstar'

Jamie Woon - 'Making Time'

Kano - 'Made in the Manor'

Laura Mvula - 'The Dreaming Room'

Michael Kiwanuka - 'Love & Hate'

Radiohead - 'A Moon Shaped Pool'

Savages - 'Adore Life'

Skepta - 'Konnichiwa'