Fans rally behind Lankum ahead of tonight's Mercury Prize

Fans on these shores and beyond are sharing their support for Lankum, ahead of tonight's Mercury Prize ceremony – which will be broadcast on BBC Four from 9pm.

The Dublin four-piece are nominated for the prestigious 'Album of the Year' prize for their acclaimed fourth album, False Lankum.

Lankum will be performing live at tonight's ceremony in London – as will fellow nominees Loyle Carner, Ezra Collective, J Hus, Jessie Ware, Jockstrap, Olivia Dean, RAYE, Shygirl and Young Fathers.

The Mercury Prize – which has been described as "the music equivalent to the Booker Prize for literature – celebrates the best albums released by UK or Irish artists every year. Lankum are the only Irish act nominated this year.

The winner receives a cash prize of £25,000. The prize also increases the profile of the winning and shortlisted acts – and often comes with a notable boost in record sales. An Irish act has yet to win the Mercury Prize.

Paddy Powers currently has Lankum's odds to win listed at 5/1.

Lankum, who previously won the Choice Music Prize for Irish Album of the Year with 2019's The Livelong Day, released their latest project, False Lankum, earlier this year.

"Named after the ballad from which they took their name, False Lankum being presented as a quasi self-titled project, four albums in, feels apt – serving as both a groundbreaking reintroduction for steadfast fans, and a crucial launching pad for new audiences," the Hot Press album review reads. "It should see them take a major step forward on the international stage, with some of the most fearlessly forward-thinking music that’s been produced on these shores in decades."

English writer Benjamin Myers took to Twitter to state: "I really hope @LankumDublin win the Mercury Prize - not least because Ian Lynch was once in a band called Fuck Off Written In Shit."

The clothing brand Fred Perry also asked its followers who they reckoned would take home the prize – before adding: "Our moneys on @LankumDublin. Best of luck lads..."

Maxïmo Park's Paul Smith posted: "I had a walk across the misty Newcastle Town Moor today, soundtracked by @LankumDublin. It was great. Good luck to them at the @MercuryPrize tonight!"

Singer Marry Waterson also wished Lankum good luck online: "G'wan ya beauties..."

See more support for Lankum below:

All fingers and toes crossed tonight for @LankumDublin at the @MercuryPrize - we couldn't think of a more deserved band and album 🖤🙌

Their set at Supersonic last weekend was phenomenal, what an honour it was to have them perform.
photo by @snaprockandpop pic.twitter.com/eN8KRi9RIZ

— Supersonic Festival (@supersonicfest) September 7, 2023

Absolutely buzzing for @LankumDublin 🐝💥 nominees for the @MercuryPrize tonight 🙌🏻 rooting for you guys! X #lankum #mercuryprize https://t.co/UPzvbfLICb

— Siobhán McAndrew (@Shiv_Mc_A) September 7, 2023

Seems like a folk album is in with a really good chance of winning the Mercury Prize tonight. Exciting, isn’t it? Best of luck @LankumDublin, we’re rooting for you! pic.twitter.com/MPOqfSmMT3

— Blackbeard's Tea Party (@Blackbeards_TP) September 7, 2023

See the full shortlist for the Mercury Prize 2023 below:

• Arctic Monkeys, The Car
• Ezra Collective, Where I'm Meant to Be
• Fred again.., Actual Life 3 (January 1 - September 9 2022)
• J Hus, Beautiful And Brutal Yard
• Jessie Ware, That! Feels Good!
• Jockstrap, I Love You Jennifer B
• Lankum, False Lankum
• Loyle Carner, hugo
• Olivia Dean, Messy
• RAYE, My 21st Century Blues
• Shygirl, Nymph
• Young Fathers, Heavy Heavy