The xx Win The 2010 Barclaycard Mercury Prize

The xx, who were early favorites to take home the most prestigious music award for British or Irish artists, triumphed at tonight's Mercury Music Prize ceremony and took home a £20,000 ($30,600) cash award and accolades for their 2009 debut album xx.

The xx defeated eleven other contenders, including Paul Weller, who along with the xx was a strong favorite for his album Wake Up The Nation, and Laura Marling, who at the age of 20 has already been nominated twice for the award. Other nominees included Wild Beasts, Foals, Villagers and Corinne Bailey Rae.

All of the bands and artists had gathered at London's Grosvenor House hotel where they all, except for Dizzee Rascal, performed live. Mumford and Sons had to play their song twice after a technical glitch derailed their performance of "The Cave." 

The nominees, their albums and tonight's live performances were:
Paul Weller - "Wake Up The Nation" from Wake Up The Nation
Wild Beasts - "Hooting And Howling" from Two Dancers
The xx - "Night Time" from xx
Biffy Clyro - "The Captain" from Only Revolutions
Laura Marling - "I Speak Because I Can" from I Speak Because I Can
I Am Kloot - "Northern Skies" from Sky At Night
Corinne Bailey Rae - "I'd Do It All Again" from The Sea
Kit Down Trio - "Jump Minzi Jump" from Golden
Foals - "Spanish Sahara" from Total Life Forever
Villagers - "Becoming A Jackal" from Becoming A Jackal
Mumford And Sons - "The Cave" from Sigh No More
Dizzee Rascal did not perform, but was nominated for Tongue N' Cheek