Indie band win Mercury Prize with debut album
The Independent|September 06, 2024
Rock band English Teacher’s debut album, This Could Be Texas, has been announced as the winner of the 2024 Mercury Prize.
ROISIN O'CONNOR
Indie band win Mercury Prize with debut album

The Leeds-formed four-piece, fronted by Lily Fontaine, impressed the judges with their “winning lyrical mix of surrealism and social observation, alongside a subtle way of wearing its musical innovations lightly”, on songs such as “I’m Not Crying, You’re Crying”, “Albatross” and “Broken Biscuits”.

They beat fierce competition from pop star Charli XCX – whose sixth album Brat was considered a strong favourite to win – baroque pop-rock band The Last Dinner Party, rapper Berwyn and singer-songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae.

This year’s ceremony – scaled down after organisers failed to find a sponsor – took place at Abbey Road Studios in London and was hosted by Annie Macmanus and Huw Stephens.

Guest presenter, 6 Music’s Jamz Supernova, announced the overall winner on behalf of the judging team, with the band visibly struggling to overcome their shock as they accepted the award.

“We just thought we’d make a band,” Fontaine said, while her bandmates paid tribute to members of the Leeds music community, including the Brudenell Music Social Club’s owner, Nathan Clark.

“What do we do now?” she asked.

The judging panel said: “This has been a really tough year for the Mercury Prize judges, with the final 12 albums being so reflective of our diverse and rich musical landscape. There was so much passion and enthusiasm for each one.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 06, 2024 من The Independent.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 06, 2024 من The Independent.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من THE INDEPENDENT مشاهدة الكل
Joshua is 'willing to die' in Wembley battle of Britain
The Independent

Joshua is 'willing to die' in Wembley battle of Britain

Anthony Joshua has insisted that he is ready to “give everything to be victorious” against Daniel Dubois on Saturday, as the Britons clash at Wembley Stadium.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 18, 2024
City's man for all occasions.could be named world No 1
The Independent

City's man for all occasions.could be named world No 1

Rodri may be first defensive midfielder to win Ballon d'Or

time-read
3 mins  |
September 18, 2024
Liverpool overcome poor start to beat Milan in style
The Independent

Liverpool overcome poor start to beat Milan in style

Another first for Arne Slot at Liverpool, and one that was much more significant than a debut win in this new Champions League.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 18, 2024
Guardian parent company in talks to sell Observer
The Independent

Guardian parent company in talks to sell Observer

The Guardian Media Group (GMG) is in talks to sell The Observer newspaper to Tortoise Media, a news business launched in 2019 by a former BBC executive. The media giant is in exclusive discussions to sell the world's oldest Sunday newspaper.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 18, 2024
'People can have a fantastic.second act. I'm living mine'
The Independent

'People can have a fantastic.second act. I'm living mine'

Actor and comic Omid Djalili is back for a fiery new stand-up tour. He tells Helen Coffey how he managed to channel rage into humour and why he's not leaving comedy to the young

time-read
8 mins  |
September 18, 2024
Islamist party makes shock return to Kashmiri politics
The Independent

Islamist party makes shock return to Kashmiri politics

Observers split on motivation of Jamaat-e-Islami, banned under terror laws and which boycotted elections for 30 years

time-read
4 mins  |
September 18, 2024
US rapper charged with sex trafficking and racketeering
The Independent

US rapper charged with sex trafficking and racketeering

Sean \"Diddy\" Combs, the rapper and music mogul who has faced allegations of sexual abuse, was charged with racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution, according to a federal indictment unsealed yesterday.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 18, 2024
Suspect in Trump shooting lurked for hours in bushes
The Independent

Suspect in Trump shooting lurked for hours in bushes

The gunman accused of trying to assassinate Donald Trump hid in the bushes of the former president's Florida golf club for almost 12 hours, according to officials.

time-read
1 min  |
September 18, 2024
'I am a rapist', says husband of sexually abused woman
The Independent

'I am a rapist', says husband of sexually abused woman

A French man accused of drugging his wife and recruiting dozens of strangers to rape her over a decade has declared in court: “I am a rapist, like everyone else in this courtroom.”

time-read
3 mins  |
September 18, 2024
Hezbollah vows to retaliate after pager attack kills nine
The Independent

Hezbollah vows to retaliate after pager attack kills nine

Officials in Lebanon and Syria blame Israel for the explosions

time-read
3 mins  |
September 18, 2024