Franz Ferdinand Win Mercury Music Prize

Glasgow genius rock band Franz Ferdinand have won this year's Mercury Music Award for their self-titled debut album.

Amy Winehouse, Joss Stone, The Streets and Keane were among other talented artists up for the prestigious award.

The Franz Ferdinand boys walk away with £20,000 and the accolade of the best album of the year by a British or Irish act.

The Mercury Music Award is voted for by a panel of industry experts, journalists and artists, and is said to reward originality and creativity rather than sales success.

Alex (lead singer) said he and the band were "truly gobsmacked - very chuffed and very honoured". This coming in a year when we're surrounded by such fantastic bands," he added.

"Everyone else deserves it more than we do. They reflect a trend in the UK at the moment for fantastic music, so we're living in pretty good times at the moment."

Franz Ferdinand and other nominated artists have all pulled off cracking perfomances at Glasto, Reading and Leeds festivals, and FF didn't disappoint in the night, with an outstanding live performance at the awards show, hosted at the v. posh Grosvenor House Hotel.

Ohter nominees who performed live for the awards included the incredibly fantastic Ty, brilliant Basement Jazz and Belle & Sebastian and the amazing Amy Winehouse.

2004 Nationwide Mercury Prize Shortlist
UK Albums of the Year

Amy Winehouse Frank
Basement Jaxx Kish Kash
Belle & Sebastian Dear Catastrophe Waitress
Franz Ferdinand Franz Ferdinand
Jamelia Thank You
Joss Stone The Soul Sessions
Keane Hopes and Fears
Robert Wyatt Cuckooland
Snow Patrol Final Straw
The Streets A Grand Don't Come for Free
Ty Upwards
The Zutons Who Killed...... The Zutons

Previous winners of the Mercury Prize include Primal Scream, PJ Harvey, Roni Size, Gomez and last year's victor, London hip-hop artist Dizzee Rascal.