There will be a specially-made programme for BBC Red Button featuring all 12 of the shortlisted albums, plus further content at bbc.co.uk/music and via the BBC Music app. Lauren also announced today that the online vote - new this year - for the public to select one of these albums to make it to the final six is now open.
The 12 shortlisted 2016 Mercury Prize ‘Albums of the Year’ are:
Hopelessness by Anohni
The Bride by Bat for Lashes
Blackstar by David Bowie
Making Time by Jamie Woon
Made In The Manor by Kano
The Dreaming Room by Laura Mvula
Love & Hate by Michael Kiwanuka
A Moon Shaped Pool by Radiohead
Adore Life by Savages
Konnichiwa by Skepta
I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it by The 1975
Channel The Spirits by The Comet Is Coming
From this 12, the six finalists (including the album voted for by the public) and the overall winner will be announced at the Awards Show on Thursday 15 September at Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith.
BBC Four will broadcast the Awards ceremony live in an hour-long special - Best Album of the Year 2016 - Mercury Prize Live - presented by Lauren Laverne.
Over the course of the show, Lauren will reveal the six finalists and introduce their performances on stage. The programme will also reflect back across 25 years of the Mercurys, marking this milestone anniversary of the prestigious Prize, and culminates in the thrilling moment the winner is announced live.
Just 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, also at the Awards. It will showcase the music of all 12 of the shortlisted acts, featuring the majority in performance on stage earlier that evening at the event.
Lauren Laverne says: “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.”
BBC Radio 6 Music will be covering the Mercury Prize live from 7-10pm on the night of the Awards. Presenters will be bringing the excitement of the build-up to the big prize to the station’s listeners. They’ll be reflecting the story of this year’s Mercury Prize and the social media response to the evening as it unfolds. And throughout the day, 6 Music will play tracks from previous Mercury winners and celebrate the prize.
BBC Music will be offering comprehensive Mercury Prize coverage across the website - at bbc.co.uk/music - and app. Stay up to date with the recently launched Music News LIVE service, or follow BBC Music on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
