The Mercury Prize shortlist for 2022 will be announced tomorrow, but here today we have the really important Mercury Prize related lists that you’ve all been looking for. Two of them!
First, it’s the list of the judges who have put together the 2022 shortlist. Because, if there’s one thing we all need to know, it’s who to blame when what is clearly the best British or Irish album of the last year (in your brain anyway) is unapologetically snubbed.
So, here’s who to blame… Anna Calvi – musician and songwriter Annie MacManus – broadcaster and DJ Danielle Perry – broadcaster and writer Hazel Wilde (from Lanterns On The Lake) - musician and songwriter Jamie Cullum - musician and broadcaster Jamz Supernova – broadcaster and DJ Jeff Smith - Head Of Music at 6 Music and Radio 2 Lea Stonhill – Music Programmer at Radio X Loyle Carner – musician and songwriter Phil Alexander – Creative Director at Kerrang! and Contributing Editor at Mojo Tshepo Mokoena – music writer and author Will Hodgkinson - Chief Rock & Pop Critic at The Times
Or - for those of you who would rather vent at an anonymous corporate brand rather than a bunch of lovely people - here’s a list of this year’s sponsors…
First, transport app Free Now is the overall sponsor. Second, Amazon Music is the “digital music partner”. Third, Bowers & Wilkins is the “official audio partner”. And finally, 1800 Tequila and rum brand The Kraken are the “official drinks partners”.
Or, of course, you could buy yourself a time machine and go shout at the real villains here, the 1990s phone company that was Mercury Communications.
We’ll be back with the shortlist - which is due to be announced at 11am tomorrow - later in the week, so we can all see just how much venting is required.