The BBC has revealed its plans for the coverage of the Mercury Prize awards ceremony on September 13, with an hour-long special called Best Album of the Year 2016 - Mercury Prize Live, to be broadcast live on BBC Four. presented by Lauren Laverne.
The programme will be presented by Lauren Laverne, who will reveal the six finalists throughout the show and introduce their performances on stage.
The programme will also reflect back across 25 years of the Mercurys, marking the milestone anniversary of the Prize, and culminating in the live announcement of the winner.
Prior to the BBC Four programme, BBC Red Button will feature an hour-long show from 8-9pm, fronted by 6 Music presenter, Shaun Keaveny, showcasing the music of all 12 of the shortlisted acts, featuring the majority in performance on stage earlier that evening at the event.
Lauren Laverne said: “This is a brilliantly diverse list of albums vying for the title Mercury Prize ‘Album of the Year’. I’m excited to be involved again this year, revealing the shortlist in my 6 Music show today and presenting the Awards themselves live on BBC Four. I can’t wait - it’s going to be a wonderful night of music.”
The 2016 Mercury Prize Albums of the Year shortlist was revealed at a launch event, hosted by 6 Music’s Shaun Keaveny, earlier today.
BBC Radio 6 Music will also be covering the Mercury Prize live from 7-10pm on the night of the Awards.
The albums are:
Anohni - Hopelessness
Bat For Lashes - The Bride
David Bowie - Blackstar
Jamie Woon - Making Time
Kano - Made in the Manor
Laura Mvula - The Dreaming Room
Michael Kiwanuka - Love & Hate
Radiohead - A Moon Shaped Pool
Savages - Adore Life
Skepta - Konnichiwa
The 1975 - I Like It When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It
The Comet Is Coming - Channel The Spirits
Bob Shennan, director BBC Music, added: “BBC Music is proud to be supporting the Mercury Prize 2016, particularly in this extra special 25th anniversary year. With live coverage on BBC Four and BBC Radio 6 Music, as well as further content on BBC Red Button, online and the BBC Music app, I hope our audiences enjoy the show.”