English Teacher scoop the Mercury Prize

Anyone hoping for a few more days of BRAT summer were left disappointed on Thursday evening after Charli XCX and her mesmerising new album failed to win the coveted Mercury Prize.

Instead, the accolade went to Leeds based indie band English Teacher for their critically acclaimed debut album, This Could Be Texas.

The band, fronted by singer Lily Fontaine, were on hand to collect their award in person as  they attended the event at London’s iconic Abbey Road Studios. 

Taking to the stage, band-members Fontaine, Lewis Whiting, Douglas Frost and Nicholas Eden thaked their respective families before making their way to the press room. 

Charli XCX had been hotly-tipped to won the award after releasing sixth studio album BRAT in June – and sparking a viral trend inspired by the one-syllable word in the process. 

The singer, 32, couldn’t be at the Mercury Prize tonight because she’s in the final stages of rehearsing for her US tour with Troye Sivan.

Other nominees included CMAT, Barry Can’t Swim, Cat Burns, BERWYN, Beth Gibbons, Ghetts, Nia Archive, Corinne Bailey Rae, corto.alto and The Last Dinner Party.

The judging team said: ‘This has been a really tough year for the Mercury Prize judges, with the final 12 albums being so reflective of our diverse and rich musical landscape. There was so much passion and enthusiasm for each one.

‘In the end, though, we did agree that This Could Be Texas by English Teacher stands out for its originality and character.

‘A winning lyrical mix of surrealism and social observation, alongside a subtle way of wearing its musical innovations lightly, displays a fresh approach to the traditional guitar band format. This Could Be Texas reveals new depths on every listen; the mark of a future classic.

They added: ‘The Mercury Prize was set up to celebrate the album as an artistic format in its own right and all the judges agreed that this charismatic body of work deserves to be the 2024 Mercury Prize Album of the Year.’ 

The quartet have become the first group from outside of London to win the prize since 2014, when Young Fathers claimed the coveted accolade.

Fontaine, the group’s lead singer, also pointed to the support the band have received from local venues.

She said: ‘If you look back over music from this country, Yorkshire in particular has thrown out some of our most prolific songwriters. There’s real support for musicians in Leeds at the moment.

Venues are willing to take on new artists and I think that’s integral to the health of the scene.’ 

The Mercury Prize comes with a cash reward of £25,000 and recognises the best album by a British and Irish act over a 12-month period.

In 2023, the Mercury Prize was won by Ezra Collective, with their album Where I’m Meant To Be.

Before the awards, nominees including Cat Burns, CMAT and Barry Can’t Swim hit the red carpet.

Cat, 24, looked typically stylish in a brown leather jacket, teamed with a crisp white shirt, a matching tie and beret.

Barry Can’t Swim turned heads in an eye-catching purple knitted jumper, black wide leg trousers and cow print shoes.

CMAT stood out in a frilly white gown with a corset emblazoned with her own album artwork, while flashing her signature tooth gems to the camera.

The ceremony kicked off at 8pm on BBC4, with all nominees performing on the show before the winner is crowned.  

The hotly-anticipated 12 Albums of the Year shortlist was announced on BBC Radio 6 Music by Tom Ravenscroft on Thursday morning.

Charli XCX’s album BRAT has so far been warmly received by critics and fans so it’s no surprise it has been named as one of the 12 nominations.

Cat was also picked up for album Early Twenties while The Last Dinner Party will also receive an award for Prelude to Ecstasy.

Boys singer Charli XCX, who was nominated for the prize in 2020 with record How I’m Feeling Now, has made the list with her sixth studio album, Brat, which peaked at number two in the charts following its release last month.

Three of her songs from the album, including Von Dutch and 360, have entered the UK’s top 40 singles chart.

Indie outfit The Last Dinner Party, comprising Abigail Morris, Lizzie Mayland, Emily Roberts, Georgia Davies and Aurora Nishevci, have also been nominated for their debut offering Prelude To Ecstasy, which topped the charts following its release in February.

The group was named the winner of BBC Radio 1’s Sound of 2024 in January and have played a number of festivals this summer including Glastonbury and TRNSMT.

Among the other acts in the running for the Mercury Prize are Corinne Bailey Rae, who has returned with the album Black Rainbows, and Irish singer CMAT with her album Crazymad, For Me.

A slew of debut records have made the shortlist this year including Early Twenties by singer Cat Burns and Silence Is Loud by jungle artist Nia Archives.

Mobo award winner Ghetts, who stars in Netflix series Supacell, has also been shortlisted for the record On Purpose, With Purpose.

Elsewhere When Will We Land? by Scottish DJ Barry Can’t Swim has been nominated alongside the record Who Am I by rapper BERWYN.

An independent panel of judges choose the shortlist and the winner of the Mercury Prize award. It consists of musicians, music journalists, music presenters, music producers and heads of music.

Previous winners of the Brit Award alternative, which was first held in 1992, include Suede, Arctic Monkeys, Skepta, Arlo Parks, and Little Simz. 

Last year’s £25,000 prize was secured by London band Ezra Collective who made history as the first ever jazz win for their album Where I’m Meant to Be.