Mercury Music Prize 2024. While the award has often been hailed as the most broadly representative in britain, if you trudge back through the nominees to 1994, you’ll find four britpop releases. For those who’ve ever scratched their heads over the mercury’s seemingly arcane selection process, fear not.

General 1.1 all forms of contemporary music from great britain and ireland are eligible. The shortlist will be announced exclusively live on bbc radio 6.