Mercury Music Prize Postponed Following The Death of Queen Elizabeth II

The awards ceremony for the 2022 Mercury prize for music has been postponed. The ceremony which was due to take place today in the UK has been postponed out of respect for those mourning the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. 

The Guardian reports that the ceremony is to be postponed and that a new date for the ceremony, which recognises the best British or Irish album of the year, has yet to be announced. 

The Mercury prize for music ceremony was reportedly already underway at the moment of the decision, with early arrivals greeted by a message on a big screen notifying them of the decision to postpone the awards. The message read "In light of the sad news of the passing of Her Majesty the Queen, we are sorry to announce that we will not be proceeding with this evening’s event as planned. The Mercury prize will be communicating with guests and audience members over the coming days. We thank you for your understanding at this difficult and sad time.” 

A black and white photo of Queen Elizabeth II is being shown on screens outside of the venue. 

An official statement has been circulated regarding the postponement stating "Tonight’s Mercury prize event has been postponed at this time of great national sorrow. We know everyone involved in the Mercury prize will understand. Our thoughts and condolences are with the royal family at this very difficult time. We will make an announcement regarding future arrangements as soon as we are able.” 

The decision to postpone the event comes after several UK musicians took to social media to pay their respects to the fallen Queen. 

Notable releases from Harry Styles, Little Simz, Sam Fender and Wet Leg are among the nominees for the prestigious prize, which is awarded to the best British and Irish albums of the year. 

The shortlist for the 2022 prize is full of first-time nominees, with Little Simz the only artist to have received a nomination previously (her third album Grey Area was nominated for the prize in 2019.  The full shortlist for the 2022 prize, which will be awarded at an awards ceremony in Hammersmith in September, can be seen below. 

2022 Mercury Prize Shortlist 

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

A panel of British artists, industry professionals and music critics will vote on the award, with Anna Calvi, Hazel Wilde, Jamie Cullum and Loyle Carner among those tasked with deciding the 2022 Mercury prize winner. 

The judges shared the following statement when announcing the shortlist  "Getting down to 12 albums this year was not easy, simply because there were so many remarkable ones to choose from. That serves as proof that British & Irish music thrives during unsettled periods in history, with the albums chosen covering everything from imaginative pop to pioneering rap to Cornish language folk-rock. We feel that these 12 amazing albums each have something to say artistically and socially, all in their own unique, enriching ways. Now comes the really hard part... choosing only one overall winner'