The 2022 Mercury Prize ceremony was postponed last night following the news that the Queen had died. The event, scheduled to be streamed on BBC Four from 9pm, was cancelled just hours before it was due to start. Buckingham Palace announced the Queen’s death at 6.30pm, and organisers confirmed the postponement at 7.17pm, shortly before the evening’s dinner was to begin.
“Tonight’s Mercury Prize event has been postponed at this time of great national sorrow. We know everyone involved in the Mercury Prize will understand. Our thoughts and condolences are with The Royal Family at this very difficult time,” the Mercury Prize’s official Twitter account said. The annual prize recognises the Best Album from a British or Irish artist, with 12 nominees this year including Joy Crookes, Harry Styles, and Wet Leg. Eleven of the nominated acts were due to perform, with Styles, on tour in the US, having pre-recorded a set.
Frontrunner Self Esteem, whose critically acclaimed second album Prioritise Pleasure was a favourite, was seen leaving the venue with a bottle of champagne and later tweeted: “At least arcade fire got to play tonight f**k this,” referring to the Canadian band’s O2 show. She also helped ensure food from the cancelled ceremony was not wasted. TV critic Scott Bryan explained that the meal was due to be thrown away, but Self Esteem and others pushed for a solution. Punjabi restaurant Punjab Covent Garden’s managing director Amrit Maan agreed to pick up and freeze the food, which is set to be distributed today in partnership with charity Under One Sky.
The 12 judges, including musician Anna Calvi and DJ Annie Mac, issued a joint statement saying: “We feel that these 12 amazing albums each have something to say artistically and socially, all in their own unique, enriching ways. Now comes the really hard part – choosing only one overall winner.” No new date has yet been announced for the rescheduled ceremony.
