Fontaines D.C. perform at the Mercury Prize ceremony tonight

Tonight, the Hyundai Mercury Prize is handed out to the best album of the year. Amongst the nominees is Dublin band Fontaines D.C., whose debut record Dogrel stroke a match with critics, Hot Press included. They are also set to take to the stage during the award show.

Dogrel lives and breathes the Irish capital, it's a love letter to the city where Fontaines D.C. was founded. "This album is about Dublin because that's the environment we were in", explains Conor Deegan in Pat Carty's interview with the band back in April, "we experienced the world through it".

The Mercury Prize nomination is a testament to the success of the album, a success that Fontaines D.C. handle with care. "The problem with breaking into the mainstream is the robbing of your own identity that occurs when it becomes the norm", Deegan says.

Fontaines D.C. would be the first Irish act who would win the Mercury Prize.

Little Simz (Grey Area), who recently talked to us about her acting role in the Drake-produced drama Top Boy, is also on the shortlist for the Mercury Prize, along with Dave (Psychodrama), who appears in the series as well. "If he wins, it's still a win for me", she told Hot Press, "Just the fact we are both in the conversation, what our albums are discussing, who we're up against… it says a lot already. It's healthy competition. My win is his win, his win is mine."

They indeed have stiff competition, with The 1975 (A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships), Foals (Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost - Part 1), slowthai (Nothing Great About Britain) and IDLES (Joy As An Act Of Resistance) also nominated for the prestigious award. However, as it's expected that the prizes goes to a politically-charged, contemporary album, Dave, slowthai, IDLES, Little Simz and The 1975 are among the frontrunners for tonight.

All the nominees will perform live except for The 1975, who are currently on their world tour. A filmed live performance by the UK band will be shown instead.

The Mercury Prize 2019 ceremony will be broadcast tonight at 9pm on BBC Four and BBC Radio 6 Music.

Check out the complete list of nominees below:

• Dave - Psychodrama
• The 1975 - A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships
• Idles - Joy As An Act Of Resistance
• Anna Calvi - Hunter
• Little Simz - Grey Area
• Foals - Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost - Part 1
• Slowthai - Nothing Great About Britain
• Fontaines D.C. - Dogrel
• Black Midi - Schlagenheim
• Cate Le Bon - Reward
• Nao - Saturn
• Seed Ensemble - Driftglass