English Teacher Wins 2024 Mercury Prize

Leeds-based indie band English Teacher won the 2024 Mercury Prize for their debut album, This Could Be Texas, surprising many who expected Charli XCX to win. The ceremony, scaled down due to a lack of sponsorship, was held at Abbey Road Studios and hosted by Annie Mac and Huw Stephens. The judges praised the album for its originality, social observation, and musical innovation. Frontwoman Lily Fontaine expressed their disbelief, stating they didn't expect to win and praised their local music community. English Teacher follows previous winners like Ezra Collective and Wolf Alice, marking a resurgence for guitar bands amid a challenging music landscape. The Mercury Prize continues to highlight the diverse and rich musical landscape despite recent challenges in securing sponsorship.