2005. Antony and the Johnsons, 'I Am A Bird Now'
Who were they? Antony Hegarty is a US-based Brit who caused a stir when he was announced as the winner of the 2005 Mercury Prize, as it was wondered whether the award had gone to a British band. The record featured the likes of Lou Reed, Devendra Banhart, Boy George and Rufus Wainwright.
Was it an entirely outrageous choice? Well, if you can get over the nationality squabbles, no. It's a dreamy, deeply emotional and unique record that didn't have all that much competition; Hard-Fi and the Kaiser Chiefs were hardly indie's torchbearers and X&Y is probably Coldplay's worst album. Bloc Party's 'Silent Alarm' is a strong contender, as is M.I.A.'s 'Arular', but there'd never been a winner quite like this before.
What have they done since? The award catapulted the band up the album charts, and follow-up 'The Crying Light' reached a similar position. Antony and the Johnsons were never really a band that would've gone mainstream from the award, but it attracted a fair few more admirers and they've been consistent since their big moment.