As we predicted this morning, Florence & The Machine and Jamie xx have been installed as the early favourites for the 2015 Mercury Prize after the shortlist was confirmed today (October 16th).
The two acts had been talked up as front-runners before this year’s nominations were confirmed, and now both carry odds of 4/1 at William Hill. Ghostpoet is next up at 6/1 along with Wolf Alice.
“As always, the Mercury list is a mix of mainstream and eclectic and we do not know how the judges are going to vote,” said William Hill spokesman Joe Crilly. “Our odds suggest they will go for a big act and they do not get much bigger than Florence + The Machine and of course Jamie xx has form in this particular race.”
There were surprising omissions – especially The Maccabees, Everything Everything and Sleaford Mods – as well as some unexpected treats such as Gaz Coombes and C Duncan.
The winner will be revealed at a ceremony in London on November 20th.