BBC Music Announces 2016 Mercury Prize ‘Albums of the Year’ Programming

There will be a specially-made programme for BBC Red Button featuring all 12 of the shortlisted albums, plus further content at bbc.co.uk/music and via the BBC Music app. Lauren also announced today that the online vote - new this year - for the public to select one of these albums to make it to the final six is now open. 

The 12 shortlisted 2016 Mercury Prize ‘Albums of the Year’ are:

• Hopelessness by Anohni
• The Bride by Bat for Lashes
• Blackstar by David Bowie
• Making Time by Jamie Woon
• Made In The Manor by Kano
• The Dreaming Room by Laura Mvula
• Love & Hate by Michael Kiwanuka
• A Moon Shaped Pool by Radiohead
• Adore Life by Savages
• Konnichiwa by Skepta
• I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it by The 1975
• Channel The Spirits by The Comet Is Coming

From this 12, the six finalists (including the album voted for by the public) and the overall winner will be announced at the Awards Show on Thursday 15 September at Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith.

BBC Four will broadcast the Awards ceremony live in an hour-long special - Best Album of the Year 2016 - Mercury Prize Live - presented by Lauren Laverne.

Over the course of the show, Lauren will reveal the six finalists and introduce their performances on stage. The programme will also reflect back across 25 years of the Mercurys, marking this milestone anniversary of the prestigious Prize, and culminates in the thrilling moment the winner is announced live.

Just prior to the BBC Four programme, BBC Red Button will feature an hour-long show from 8-9pm, fronted by 6 Music presenter, Shaun Keaveny, also at the Awards. It will showcase the music of all 12 of the shortlisted acts, featuring the majority in performance on stage earlier that evening at the event.

Lauren Laverne says: “This is a brilliantly diverse list of albums vying for the title Mercury Prize ‘Album of the Year’. I’m excited to be involved again this year, revealing the shortlist in my 6 Music show today and presenting the Awards themselves live on BBC Four. I can’t wait - it’s going to be a wonderful night of music.”

BBC Radio 6 Music will be covering the Mercury Prize live from 7-10pm on the night of the Awards. Presenters will be bringing the excitement of the build-up to the big prize to the station’s listeners. They’ll be reflecting the story of this year’s Mercury Prize and the social media response to the evening as it unfolds. And throughout the day, 6 Music will play tracks from previous Mercury winners and celebrate the prize.

BBC Music will be offering comprehensive Mercury Prize coverage across the website - at bbc.co.uk/music - and app. Stay up to date with the recently launched Music News LIVE service, or follow BBC Music on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Bob Shennan, Director BBC Music, comments: “BBC Music is proud to be supporting the Mercury Prize 2016, particularly in this extra special 25th anniversary year. With live coverage on BBC Four and BBC Radio 6 Music, as well as further content on BBC Red Button, online and the BBC Music app, I hope our audiences enjoy the show.”

Cassian Harrison, Channel Editor, BBC Four, says: “Broadcasting the Awards ceremony live, BBC Four will be bringing the Mercury Prize to viewers at home, capturing the excitement and fantastic music as the night builds to the moment the 2016 winner is finally revealed.”

Notes to Editors
BBC Music is the corporation’s strongest commitment to music in 30 years - comprising of new partnerships and ground-breaking music initiatives led by Director Bob Shennan, including the BBC Music Awards on BBC One, the classical music project for schools ‘Ten Pieces’, and BBC Music Day.

The Bafta-nominated Adele at the BBC (BBC One, November 2015) which included a sketch featuring Adele impersonators has had over 50m views on the BBC YouTube channel. A year long season of programming celebrating the musical decades, ‘BBC Music: My Generation’, featuring films profiling the early years of Tom Jones and Keith Richards. BBC Music exclusive commissions for BBC iPlayer include Amy Winehouse in her Own Words, and Lift Music with Jess Glynne, The Vamps and Craig David. Festivals, including Glastonbury, come alive on our digital platforms, with world leading coverage. The BBC Music website is your first step to a personalised music service with playlists of your favourite tracks and the ability to follow the artists you love. In February 2016, a brand new BBC Music app was launched.

KA