Have the nominees for the Mercury Prize even been announced yet? No. But that doesn't mean that it's too early for betting organizations to assign odds with regard to who will win. According to Ladbrokes, the preeminent London betting agency, Kate Tempest and FKA Twigs will be the main performers to keep an eye—or a dollar—on.
In case you aren't familiar with the Mercury Prize, it's the premier music award given to acts from the UK (will acts from Scotland still count if voters opt to separate? A stupid question but we haven't had coffee yet) and some acts, such as Tempest haven't made a big wave stateside yet. Twigs has gotten some American attention, partly because of great reviews for her debut LP1 but dating rumors involving Robert Pattinson haven't hurt.
The actual nominees will be released on September 10. Last year's winner was James Blake, who was coming off of his album Overgrown.
Anyway, check out the odds below and decide whether you want to put some money down before tomorrow's announcement.
Kate Tempest (3/1)
FKA Twigs (3/1)
Jungle (6/1)
Royal Blood (6/1)
East India Youth (10/1)
Damon Albarn (12/1)
Wild Beasts (12/1)
Sam Smith (16/1)
Chvrches (16/1)
Ed Sheeran (20/1)
Mica Levi (20/1)
Young Fathers (20/1)
Eagulls (25/1)
Temples (25/1)
George Ezra (25/1)
Bombay Bicycle Club (25/1)
Coves (25/1)
Paolo Nutini (25/1)
Kwabs (25/1)
Metronomy (25/1)
Lone (25/1)
