Really? From New Statesmen:
Last night, Alt-J was awarded the most prestigious prize in music for their debut album ‘An Awesome Wave’. The 2012 Mercury Music Prize was scooped by the Leeds-based foursome who had, ironically, become the bookies favourite to win in the run-up to the event.
The ceremony marked a revamp for the iconic prize on its twentieth birthday. There was a change of venue – Camden’s Roadhouse, change of presenter – Lauren Laverne, and broadcaster, as the event was shown on Channel 4 for the first time after the BBC lost its long-term partnership.
As well as the prestige of being awarded the distinguished prize, the band received £20,000 in prize money and will be able to anticipate a boost in sales, even as much as “five or sixfold” according to HMV’s Gennaro Castaldo.
Read the full article over at New Statesmen.