Mercury prize shortlist sees return of banjos but barely a beard in sight

Shortlist for music prize reflects genre's resurgence but few surprise nominations as judges opt to play safePut on your floral dress, roll out the checked shirt and dust off your banjo. Nu-folk quietly, gently and melodically infused this year's Barclaycard Mercury music prize nominations in a list that held few surprises but was seen by many as a classic return the awards' roots.Indie minimalists The xx were today emerging as favourites to win the overall prize for their haunting, if lo-fi, d...

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