2018 Hyundai Mercury Prize Albums of the Year revealed

The Hyundai Mercury Prize ‘Albums of the Year’ celebrate and promote the best of UK music recognising artistic achievement across a range of contemporary music genres. The shortlist was chosen by an independent judging panel and was revealed at a Launch event, hosted by BBC Music’s Huw Stephens on 26 July 2018. It was also announced live by Mary Anne Hobbs on Lauren Laverne’s show on BBC Radio 6 Music.

The 2018 Hyundai Mercury Prize judges are: Clara Amfo – Broadcaster & DJ; Danielle Perry – Broadcaster & Writer; Ella Eyre - Musician and Songwriter; Harriet Gibsone – Deputy Editor, The Guardian Guide; Jamie Cullum - Musician and Broadcaster; Jeff Smith - Head of Music, 6 Music and Radio 2; Lianne La Havas - Musician and Songwriter; Marcus Mumford - Musician and Songwriter; Mike Walsh - Head of Music, Radio X;  MistaJam - DJ & Broadcaster; Phil Alexander – Creative Director, Kerrang!/Contributing Editor, Mojo; Will Hodgkinson - Chief Rock & Pop Critic, The Times. The Chair of the judging panel is Jeff Smith.

The judges said: “This year’s Hyundai Mercury Prize celebrates albums by musicians at all stages of their careers, but with a shared belief in the importance of music for navigating life’s challenges – whether personal or political, falling in or out of love, growing up or looking back, angry or ecstatic. The music here is funny and inspiring, smart and moving. Twelve amazing albums!”

The 2018 Awards Show will take place on Thursday 20 September at the Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith.

The event will feature live performances from many of the 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’. 

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.

Hyundai Motor is very proud to support innovation in British music and will celebrate all the shortlisted artists as we build up to this year’s Awards Show.  

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.