essie Ware is on cloud nine after receiving her second Mercury Prize nomination and at 38 says she is proud to be the oldest woman shortlisted.
The London-born singer-songwriter was first nominated 11 years ago for her debut record Devotion and has received a nod again for her fifth offering That! Feels Good! In-between, she has also served as a panel member for the coveted gong.
Speaking to press including the Standard after the full 2023 shortlist was announced, the Say You Love Me hit-maker said: “I think it’s incredibly prestigious and whether you’re on the panel or you’re shortlisted, or you’re a punter looking in, you look at that shortlist and you respect the time, effort and thought that has gone into that.
“To be up for it a second time eleven year’s on from the last one feels really amazing.
“Apparently I’m the oldest woman in the shortlist this time around – I live to fight another day,” she joked.
This is Jessie Ware’s second Mercury Prize nomination
/ Getty Images
Reflecting on what it would mean to her to win, Ware said: “I think it would mean a lot. I feel like I’ve worked very hard to become the artist that I am now being celebrated.
“I have had highs and lows and I’ve learnt a lot and I think for me as a popstar to show that pop has no age limits.
“You can see when you look at Kylie [Minogue] having the biggest success with Padam Padam I think that’s a really wonderful place to be and I’m very proud of the music that I make and being a woman in music still making it.
“Winning would mean a lot, but being on the shortlist is fabulous.”
12 albums have been shortlisted for this year’s Mercury Prize.
The winner will be announced during a show on September 7 at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith.
Festival Pass is a newsletter that lands in your inbox weekly. But during prime festival season you get bonus editions, too! Subscribe now. Happy Thursday! While there are so many Southern California music festivals still on the calendar for 2023, two new festivals are coming to Orange County in September. Brew Ha Ha Productions announced the launch of its latest festival brand, Left Coast Luau. The single-day event will feature beer tastings from local and regional craft breweries for those 21-and-older and sets […]
