Lauren Laverne Defends Mercury Awards

Broadcaster Lauren Laverne has defended the importance of the Nationwide Mercury Music Prize at today’s nominations announcement in London (July 17th).

As well as hosting this year’s awards, Laverne was also one of judges who choose the shortlist of twelve nominations – which included, Arctic Monkeys, Dizzee Rascal and New Young Pony Club.

Originally started in 1992 as an alternative to the more popular BRIT awards, the Mercury Music Prize has been dominated by more prominent bands in recent years – most notably, with the Arctic Monkeys picking up the award last year for their debut ‘Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not.’

"Well I think they’ve still got that side to them," said Laverne, as she spoke to Gigwise just after making the announcement, "it’s quiet musical merit really and there aren’t many awards and prizes that are about that. I think a lot of the time awards get caught with who’s sold the most, who’s been in the tabloids the most and the Mercury’s not about that.

Laverne added: “The judges are all ordinary people who love music; they’re all music fans, so it’s not really industry insider type of thing so it’s more genuine and about the bands really. I think it says a lot that the Arctic Monkeys came to pick up their award last year. It’s pretty much the only award they won that they showed up for so, you know if it’s alright with them then it’s alright by us.”

The winner of this year’s Nationwide Mercury Music Prize will be announced at Grosvenor House Hotel in London in September.