English Teacher has been announced as the winner of this year’s Mercury Prize, with the album This Could Be Texas.
The Leeds indie foursome – Douglas Frost, Lily Fontaine, Nicholas Eden and Lewis Whiting – were emotional on stage after winning the prize – and £25,000 – with their debut studio album.
This year’s Mercury Prize ceremony took place for the first time at the world famous Abbey Road Studios, a move from the Hammersmith Apollo.
English Teacher follows in the footsteps of Ezra Collective in 2023, as well as other recent honourees including Little Simz, Arlo Parks, Michael Kiwanuka, Dave and Wolf Alice.
First won by Primal Scream’s Screamadelica in 1992, the award celebrates music by British and Irish acts, from veteran stars to newcomers – recognising the 12 best albums of the year and potentially putting artists who are not huge names on the map.
Pulp’s Different Class, Dizzee Rascal’s Boy In Da Corner, and Arctic Monkeys’ Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not are some of the biggest albums to have been recognised over the years.
Radiohead and Arctic Monkeys are the most shortlisted acts, with both featuring on five different occasions – although only Arctic Monkeys have a win. Both the band’s frontmen have also been nominated on separate occasions; Alex Turner with The Last Shadow Puppets, and Thom Yorke for his solo debut.
PJ Harvey is the only artist to date with two wins, from four nominations.
The 2024 ceremony was hosted by broadcaster and author Annie Mac and BBC Radio 6 Music presenter Huw Stephens, while judges included broadcaster and writer Danielle Perry, musician and BBC Radio 2 broadcaster Jamie Cullum, DJ and BBC Radio 6 Music broadcaster Jamz Supernova, DJ and broadcaster MistaJam, and The Times’ rock and pop critic Will Hodgkinson.
Clockwise from top left: Charli XCX, Nia Archives, Barry Can’t Swim and CMAT. Pic: Mercury Prize
Albums with a UK release date between 15 July 2023 and 12 July 2024 were eligible this year.
The judges said in a statement: “This has been a really tough year for the Mercury Prize judges, with the final 12 albums being so reflective of our diverse and rich musical landscape. There was so much passion and enthusiasm for each one.
Berwyn was shortlisted for Who Am I
“In the end, though, we did agree that This Could Be Texas by English Teacher stands out for its originality and character.
“A winning lyrical mix of surrealism and social observation, alongside a subtle way of wearing its musical innovations lightly, displays a fresh approach to the traditional guitar band format.
“This Could Be Texas reveals new depths on every listen; the mark of a future classic.
“The Mercury Prize was set up to celebrate the album as an artistic format in its own right and all the judges agreed that this charismatic body of work deserves to be the 2024 Mercury Prize Album of the Year.”
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