Over the weekend, one of the most prestigious prize ceremonies in music took place, and some of the years’ best British albums duked it out for the win. Of course, we’re talking about the Mercury Prize, an award given to the best album to come out of the UK and Ireland each year.
The award has been running since 1992, and this year’s winner joins the ranks of musicians like PJ Harvey, Franz Ferdinand, The Arctic Monkeys and James Blake.
One of the world’s most recognised music awards, the Mercury Prize is the dream for any artist in the UK. During this years ceremony, one performance of David Bowie’s Lazarus stole the show.
Among the nominations was David Bowie‘s Lazarus, the album offered mere days before his tragic passing earlier this year. To accompany the nomination, the prize ceremony saw actor Michael C. Hall of Dexter fame perform the title track with the Lazarus musical’s house band.
Interspersed with footage from Lazarus’ music video, it makes for an emotional watch. Hall pours himself into the performance. Who knew he had pipes like that?
The other nominees for the Mercury Prize included Anohni‘s Hopelessness, Bat For Lashes‘ The Bride, Radiohead‘s A Moon Shaped Pool, Savages‘ Adore Life and Skepta‘s Konichiwa.
Skepta ended up taking the prize home at the end of the night, fitting in a moment to say “Rest in peace, David Bowie” in his acceptance speech.
Via Pitchfork.
