ARLO PARKS

BEAMS AS SHE WINS MERCURY PRIZE

As a singer-songwriter whose lyrics have touched thousands, it is not often that Arlo Parks is lost for words, but that was the case when the 21-year-old was named the winner of this year’s Mercury Prize (right). Joining DJs Annie Mac and Lauren Laverne on stage to accept the award at the prize-giving ceremony at the Hammersmith Eventim Apollo in London, Arlo (real name Anaïs Oluwatoyin Estelle Marinho) told the audience she was “completely speechless”. Chosen from a shortlist of 12, her debut album Collapsed in Sunbeams beat offerings from nominees including Wolf Alice, Ghetts and Laura Mvula. Thanking her parents and team, she revealed: “It took a lot of sacrifice and hard work to get here – and there were moments where I wasn’t sure whether I’d make it through, but I’m here today.” The London-born star also performed on the night (right) and could not hide her excitement at being there. “Feel surrounded by so much talent n genuine love for music,” she wrote on social media. “This is the venue I used to cycle by on the way to school as a kid.” Also singing at the ceremony was fellow nominee Celeste (left). “I can’t wait!” she wrote in a pre-ceremony post.