Elbow Win 2008 Nationwide Mercury Music Prize | Beating Radiohead, Adele, Estelle

Elbow have won the 2008 Nationwide Mercury Music Prize, beating the likes of Radiohead, Adele, Estelle, and bookies favourite Burial. The Manchester band won the annual music industry award for their fourth album, The Seldom Seen Kid.

The prize was contested by 12 of the best of British acts from this year, all of whom were considered to have released the best albums from the past 12 months. The nominees were announced back in July, when I expressed my desire for Radiohead to win for In Rainbows. But it wasn’t to be.

Elbow are an alternative Indie band from Manchester who have flirted with mainstream success while remaining a bit of a cult. While accepting the award at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel, lead singer Guy Garvey said:

“Thank you very much. I’d like to thank all the players we’ve been with since day one, including Phil Chadwick, our manager.”

“This is the best thing that’s ever happened to us. We’d like to dedicate this award to Brian Clancy, one of the greatest men who ever lived. Thank you very much and have a top evening!”

As well as the trophy, Elbow also received a cheque for £20,000. Elbow performed at the event, along with all the other nominees, which also included The Last Shadow Puppets, Laura Marling, and Neon Neon.

Winning the Mercury Music Prize is seen as an honour by all of the artists who manage it. But more than that, it can also mean huge success comes your way. Last year saw Klaxons win the award, and they are now a household name. Hopefully Elbow will now repeat that trend.

Other former winners include Arctic Monkeys, Franz Ferdinand, Dizzee Rascal, and Pulp.

[Photo Source: From Newscom with permission]