The Mercury Prize, formerly called the Mercury Music Prize, was created in 1992 as an alternative to the Brit Awards and is known for its eclectic mix of musical genres.
The first prize was won by Scottish band Primal Scream for their seminal album ‘Screamadelica’, with other Franz Ferdinand and Young Fathers the only other two acts from north of the border to have won since.
Other acts to have won include Arctic Monkeys, Skepta, Dave, Wolf Alice, Ms. Dynamite, Dizzee Rascal, Klaxons, James Blake, Pulp, Elbow, The xx, Suede, and alt-J.
And last year’s winner was singer-songwriter and poet Arlo Parks for her album Collapsed Into Sunbeams.
PJ Harvey is the only artist to have won the prize twice – for Let England Shake and Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea.
To be eligible for the prize over 50 per cent of a band’s members must be British or Irish, and submissions are made by record labels.
The shortlist is chosen “based solely on their musical merit and irrespective of how popular or successful an album or act that has been submitted may have been in the previous calendar year”.
The 2022 Awards Show will take place on Tuesday, October 18, at the Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith – after the Thursday, September 8, was postponed due to the death of the Queen.
Here are the bookies’ favourites to win – and their odds.
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1. Little Simz
Little Simz has already won a Brit Award for Best New Artist this year - and had a cameo in Hollywood blockbuster Venom 2. She's favourite to add the Mercury, at odds of 10/11. Photo: Kate Green
2. Self Esteem
Self Esteem, otherwise known as poet and singer Rebecca Lucy Taylor, is second favourite for this year's Mercury, with odds of 2/1 for her album Prioritise Pleasure. Photo: Kate Green
3. Wet Leg
Isle of Wight duo Wet Leg, comprising of Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers, are 4/1 to land the Mercury with their eponymous debit album. The pair had a huge hit single with Chaise Longue before their album shot to number one, leading to a memorable early set at Glastonbury. Photo: ANDY BUCHANAN
4. Sam Fender
Sam Fender has already received the Brit Award for Best British Alternative/Rock Act and the Ivor Novello Award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically.this year. He's 9/1 to add the Mercury to his trophy cabinet for Seventeen Going Under. Photo: Jeff J Mitchell