Alt-J are still most bookies’ favourites to take home the Mercury Music Prize when this year’s winner is unveiled at a London ceremony tonight (November 1st).
The band’s debut record ‘An Awesome Wave‘ has been at short odds ever since the nominees were announced back in September, and currently remains the favourite at various bookmakers including Ladbrokes and Betfair.
Richard Hawley, with ‘Standing At The Sky’s Edge‘, and Django Django‘s excellent self-titled maiden effort are also considered as front runners for the prestigious award, while support for Field Music and their recent album ‘Plumb‘ has been steadily growing over recent weeks.
In another change from previous years, UK viewers will be able to see the winner announced on Channel 4, when Lauren Laverne and BBC Radio 1 haircut Nick Grimshaw host the ceremony.
Mercury Music Prize 2012 shortlist:
Alt-J – ‘An Awesome Wave’
Ben Howard – ‘Every Kingdom’
Django Django – ‘Django Django’
Field Music – ‘Plum’
Jessie Ware – ‘Devotion’
Lianne La Havas – ‘Is Your Love Big Enough?’
The Maccabees – ‘Given To The Wild’
Michael Kiwanuka – ‘Home Again
Plan B – ‘Ill Manors’
Richard Hawley – ‘Standing At The Sky’s Edge’
Roller Trio – ‘Roller Trio’
Sam Lee – ‘Ground Of Its Own’