According to bookies, tonight's favourite to scoop the 2011
Barclaycard Mercury Prize is PJ Harvey for her album Let England Shake. The
betting prediction puts her ahead as firm favourite against the likes of singer
Adele, dubstep artist James Blake and critics favourite Anna Calvi.
The singer, who hails from Bridport in Dorset, was a
previous winner in 2001 for her album Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea. If predictions are correct, the folk rock singer will be the first person
to receive the prestigious album accolade twice.
Odds are in Harvey's favour at 5/4 from Ladbrokes and Paddy
Power, with close contenders Anna Calvi (4/1), Adele (5/1) and James Blake
(7/1).
Tonight's ceremony takes place at Grosvenor House hotel in
London's Park Lane. TV highlights and performances will be broadcast on BBC2 at
10pm.
The shortlist for the prize was announced in July at The
Hospital Club, Covent Garden, which also hosts the Mercury Prize Sessions
screened on Channel 4.
The 2011 Albums of the Year nominees are:
Adele – 21
Anna Calvi – Anna Calvi
Elbow – Build a Rocket Boys!
Everything Everything – Man Alive
Ghostpoet – Peanut Butter Blues & Melancholy Jam
Gwilym Simcock – Good Days at Schloss Elmau
James Blake – James Blake
Katy B – On a Mission
King Creosote & Jon Hopkins – Diamond Mine
Metronomy – The English Riviera
PJ Harvey – Let England Shake
Tinie Tempah – Disc-Overy
