BBC 4 and BBC Radio 6 Music are set to provide exclusive coverage as usual. However, in a huge change this year we will see something different as the traditional ceremony that normally takes place in September to reveal the winner at the Hammersmith Apollo is set to be dropped. According to Music Week the Mercury Prize is switching from the usual ceremony in favour of “other promotional activity”.

More details are set to be announced closer to when the winner is revealed but there will definitely be no ticketed public event for this year’s prize for the first time in the 32 years it has been running.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mercury Prize (@mercuryprize)

In a statement, Dr Jo Twist OBE, CEO of the BPI, home to the Mercury Prize, said: “For the 2024 Mercury Prize we will work imaginatively with the BBC to deliver a premium programme of music content and digital engagement that will, as ever, benefit all 12 artists in reaching a wider audience, providing an important platform for their evolving career and musical journey.”

The 12 records that are nominated for the award are chosen by an independent judging panel and recognise albums from a large variety of genres. Last year the winners of the award were London band Ezra collective who were the first jazz artist to ever win the prize. Other nominees for 2023’s award included Fred Again, Loyle Carner, Raye, Young Fathers, and the Arctic Monkeys.

Dr Jo Twist continued talking about this award saying that “The Mercury Prize is a cherished part of our cultural landscape, celebrating the art of the album and recognising the exceptional creative achievements of diverse British and Irish artists across the many different genres that make up our thriving and global-facing music scene.

“We are delighted to deepen our relationship with our long-term partner BBC Music to promote the Prize across its networks, including its national broadcast and digital channels, to ensure the greatest possible impact and profile as part of a wider campaign to support the artists who produced the 12 albums of the year.”

The Judges for this year’s award include, broadcaster and writer Danielle Perry, singer and radio 2 presenter Jamie Cullum, Jeff Smith who is the head of music at BBC Radio 2 and 6 music and he is the chair of the judging panel, Creative director of Kerrang! Phil Alexander, Will Hodgkinson who is the chief rock and pop critic at The Times, and more.

The festive concert is set to take place on Sunday November 21st 2021 at the magnificent London Palladium. Sande and Arthur will be joining the previously confirmed acts Will Young, Rag’n’Bone Man, Mica Paris and Jazz legend Jamie Cullum. The event will be presented by Harriet Scott and former Boyzone member Ronan Keating, the “Life Is A Rollercoaster” singer will also be joining the musical acts on stage. Scott and Keating announced the event’s new additions on Monday 8th November 2021 via an appearance on the ‘Magic Radio Breakfast Show’.

The radio station took to Twitter to post a hint at the radio show’s announcement

This morning on Magic Breakfast:

Tell us it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, without telling us it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas pic.twitter.com/nDajJZEe9Q

— Magic Radio (@magicfm) November 8, 2021

In other news, next week will see a possible return to the charts for Keating. The Irish singer’s new album Songs From Home is set to be released on 12th November 2021. The 44-year-old pop veteran has carefully chosen a dozen tracks that celebrate and honour his heritage. The release consists of the chosen twelve songs as well as one original recording. The album will be released via Deca Records, the British record label which has become an institution within the music industry after nearly a century in the business.

A press release for the album has given the following statement, “The album toasts Ronan Keating’s love for Irish music, as well as its continued significance in his life. Celebrating traditional poetry and folklore alongside contemporary pieces, ‘Songs From Home’ forms the ultimate soundtrack to Ronan’s personal story. Masterfully, Ronan weaves between unheard tales of his youth to artists embedded in Ronan, and Ireland’s, substantial musical heritage.”

The Dublin born singer’s new album features collaborations with many celebrated artists. On the track “No Frontiers”, Keating duets with Irish singer Mary Black. Black started her career in 1975 and has become a key figure and icon within the folk music genre. Within the album, Keating also pays homage to late American Irish singer Mic Christopher on the late singer’s track “Heyday”. Christopher is known for his solo work as well as the founding member of the band The Mary Janes, the group disbanded in 1999 after 9 years together.

The singer became a solo artist and his first solo EP Heyday was released after a motorcycle accident. In support of the new release, Christopher joined The Waterboys on tour in 2001. After a performance on tour, Christopher was found unconscious after he accidentally fell and struck his head on a step. The 32-year-old singer was taken to hospital but tragically lost his life after lapsing into a coma due to swelling in the brain. The album also features the track ”Summer In Dublin” which sees Keating reflect on the summer of 1990, an era which the singer remembers fondly, as it was just before Boyzone catapulted into fame.

Tickets for Magic Of Christmas are reportedly sold out, but there are tickets available to win on Magic Radio and online at Magic.co.uk

Click here to win tickets.

Could it be @JustinBieber vs. @JessGlynne for this year's Christmas Number 1? #XmasNo1 https://t.co/tq8THYdZ0l

— Official Charts (@officialcharts) November 23, 2020

Jess has previously had seven UK Number 1’s, which is the most ever for a British Female solo artist. Her new festive song is in the running for a Christmas UK Number 1 hit. Signed CD and Vinyl copies of the single will be available to purchase from Amazon UK from the 18th December, a week before the Christmas Number 1 is revealed.

Official Charts have reported Jess to have said about her new Christmas song, “I chose ‘This Christmas’ by Donny Hathaway as I love the tone of this record and I’m thankful that Amazon Music have given me the opportunity to do my own version of it for them. This year has been such a hard one and there’s no doubt this Christmas is going to be difficult for so many people. Music is so important as it gives us moments of escapism and I think more than ever having an uplifting feel good song is so necessary.”

Bieber has had recent success with his new release ‘Holy’ featuring Chance the rapper, taken from his sixth ‘new era’ studio album, which went straight to Number 1 in the UK’s Official Trending Chart. Speaking about his new Christmas cover, Bieber said to NME, “‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’ has always been one of my favourite songs to celebrate the holidays and I’m excited to team up with Amazon Music to share my own version, with my fans.” 

As well as these two tracks exclusive to the streaming service, other artists taking part in the programme include Mary J Blige, who has covered Whams ‘Last Christmas’ and Jamie Cullum who is releasing a version of ‘In The Bleak Mid Winter.’ Lennon Stella has also joined the programme with her rendition of the Carpenter’s song ‘Merry Christmas Darling,’ along with Carrie Underwood who’s releasing her original track ‘Favourite Time Of Year.’

The vice president of Music Industry at Amazon Music, Ryan Redington said to NME, “This Christmas season, it’s important for us to bring our customers more reasons to smile, and to create ways for them to connect with their favourite artists while at home with family.”  Katie Perry was the artist to put out a festive tune through the Amazon original series with ‘Cozy Little Christmas,’ which peaked in the charts at number 22. Last year Ellie Goulding celebrated her first chart topper in four years with her rendition of the Joni Mitchell song, ‘River’ which went straight to Number 1.

Patrick Clifton, head of Amazon Music UK  told NME, “After Katy Perry’s top forty Christmas Original in 2018 and Ellie Goulding’s ‘River’ topping the charts last year, we’re really excited for our listeners to hear Jess Glynne’s take on the Donny Hathaway classic, as well as the rest of the collection of Christmas Originals that will connect music fans with some of their favourite artists.”