Our twelve 2018 judges are: Clara Amfo – Broadcaster & DJ, Danielle Perry – Broadcaster & Writer, Ella Eyre - Musician and Songwriter, Harriet Gibsone – Deputy Editor with The Guardian Guide, Jamie Cullum - Musician and Broadcaster, Jeff Smith - Head of Music for 6 Music and Radio 2, Lianne La Havas - Musician and Songwriter, Marcus Mumford - Musician and Songwriter, Mike Walsh - Head of Music at Radio X; MistaJam - DJ & Broadcaster, Phil Alexander – Creative Director with Kerrang!/Contributing Editor, Mojo, Will Hodgkinson - Chief Rock & Pop Critic with The Times. The Chair of the judging panel is Jeff Smith.
The shortlist of 12 ‘Albums of the Year’ will be revealed at a live launch, hosted by BBC Music’s Huw Stephens, on Thursday 26 July. The shortlist will also be announced live at 11am on Lauren Laverne’s show on BBC Radio 6 Music as well as across on our Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
The 2018 Awards Show will take place on Thursday 20 September at the Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith. The event will feature live performances by many of the 12 shortlisted artists and the evening will culminate in the announcement of the overall winner of the 2018 Hyundai Mercury Prize for ‘Album of the Year’. You can buy tickets here.
The Prize’s broadcast partner, BBC Music, will be providing live television and radio coverage of the event on BBC Four and BBC Radio 6 Music.
David Wilkinson, Mercury Prize Chairman/Executive Producer, said ‘There were over 200 albums entered for the 2018 Hyundai Mercury Prize. After months of listening to the albums the judges then get together to decide on the 12 ‘Albums of the Year’. It’s been another exciting year for UK music – so it’s going to be a tough decision for them choosing the 12 albums. After last year’s successful event we’re looking forward to an equally eclectic and diverse shortlist being announced on 26 July.’
David Pugh, Hyundai Motor UK Marketing Director, said 'Our title partnership of the Hyundai Mercury Prize has over the last couple of years been integral to growing awareness of our brand here in the UK. Our campaign this year will continue to support innovation in British music and we look forward to seeing what surprises the 2018 shortlist will produce.’
The Prize’s digital music partner, Spotify, will be promoting the Hyundai Mercury Prize from the shortlist announcement through to the Awards Show in September. Spotify will also help music fans discover new music with playlists featuring the 12 shortlisted artists and albums.
The Hyundai Mercury Prize recognises and celebrates the ‘Albums of the Year’, establishing a reputation for highlighting the work of both exciting emerging talent and more established bands and artists. The shortlist of 12 ‘Albums of the Year’ is chosen by an independent judging panel and recognises artistic achievement across a range of genres. Albums by British and Irish artists with a UK release date between 22 July 2017 and 20 July 2018 are eligible for the 2018 Prize.
Get your tickets to the 2018 Hyundai Mercury Prize on Thursday 20th September at the Eventim Apollo here.