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The Nationwide Mercury Prize 2008

And the winner is

Saturday, 6 September 2008

Let the debate begin. Well on Tuesday night anyway as the Nationwide Mercury Music Award Winner is announced. Always one for galvanising opinion (2007 saw The Klaxons walk off with the prize when surely our Amy should of triumphed?) the Mercury Award has a history of surprises and yet at the same time a certain predictability. But in recognising those at the forefront of change (Miss Dynamite in 2002, Talvin Singh in 1999 and Roni Size / Reprazent in 1997)they are often seen as the hi-brow Brit Awards.

Whether it's a commercial and multi-platinum album or an unknown niche act that walks away with the converted award and the fat cheque, one thing is certain. Album sales of the nominees will rocket and the winner will guarantee themselves a place in musical history as well as on the play lists of the nations airwaves. But as for ruling our airwaves?

The Nationwide Mercury Prize Awards Show is being held on Tuesday 9th September in London and will feature live performances from The Last Shadow Puppets, Elbow, Estelle, Neon Neon, Adele, Laura Marling and British Sea Power. BBC2 will be broadcasting live coverage of the event from 10pm.

The 2008 Albums of the Year are:

Adele 19
British Sea Power Do You Like Rock Music?
Burial Untrue
Elbow The Seldom Seen Kid
Estelle Shine
Laura Marling Alas I Cannot Swim
Neon Neon Stainless Style
Portico Quartet Knee Deep In The North Sea
Rachel Unthank & The Winterset The Bairns
Radiohead In Rainbows
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss Raising Sand
The Last Shadow Puppets The Age Of The Understatement

www.nationwidemercuryprize.com