The 1975 and Dave among rockers and rappers nominated for Mercury Prize

UK rockers The 1975 are nominated from the prestigious Mercury Prize.

The group, who will perform in Dubai's Coca Cola Arena on Wednesday August 14, are among 12 acts up for the award, which recognises the best album released in the UK by a British and Irish act. Tickets for the 1975 Dubai gig begin from Dh200 at www.the1975dxb.com

With an annual cash prize of £25,000 (Dh114,125), the award was established in 1992 by the by the British Phonographic Industry and British Association of Record Dealers and is seen as the edgier alternative to the high profile BRIT Awards, which is more concerned with popular UK and international acts.

This year's awards show will take place on September 19 in London.

This year's chosen albums explore issues such as race, immigration and Brexit as well as mental health, solitude, and relationships.

The 1975 were nominated for their chart-topping album A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships, which also triumphed at this year's BRITs in addition to winning the UK's coveted Songwriters of the Year prize at the Ivor Novello awards.

They will compete against the indie-rock groups, Foals with their latest album Everything Not Saved Will be Lost – Part 1 and Black Midi's Schlagenheim.

The shortlist also includes rappers Slowthai (Nothing Great About Britain), Dave (Psychodrama) and Little Simz's Grey Area.

Rounding off the list are jazz group Seed Ensemble for Driftglass, post-punk band Fontaines D.C. for Dogrel, as well as singers Cate Le Bon and NAO and guitarist Anna Calvi for albums Reward, Saturn and Hunter respectively.

This year's judging panel includes UK rap star Stormzy (who was nominated in 2017 for his album Gang Signs & Prayer), jazz musician Jamie Cullum and singer Jorja Smith. They join a host of music journalists, broadcasters and DJs.

The Mercury Prize was first given out to rockers Primal Scream in 1992. Other past recipients include singers Benjamin Clementine and PJ Harvey, grime artist Skepta and last year's winners, rock band Wolf Alice.