Sam Fender, Pulp and Wolf Alice are among nine of some the music industry’s biggest artists set to perform at the Mercury Prize award show being held outside of London – in Newcastle – for the first time.
They are on the line-up for the ceremony on Thursday night (16 October) at the city’s Utilita Arena alongside Emma-Jean Thackray, FKA twigs, Jacob Alon, Joe Webb, Martin Carthy and Pa Salieu.
This year marks the first time the award show has moved outside of London – and comes in the same year that Newcastle played host to another raft of music’s big names at the MOBOs.
Albums by twelve artists – including by all of this year’s performers – have been shortlisted for this year’s Mercury Prize.
The overall winner will be announced towards the end of the ceremony which gets underway tonight following a week of Mercury Fringe events.
Here is everything you need to know.
CMAT is one of the 12 artists to have made the shortlist for the Mercury Prize. Credit: Sarah Doyle
The 2025 Mercury Prize shortlisted Albums of the Year’ are:
CMAT ‘EURO-COUNTRY’
Emma-Jean Thackray ‘Weirdo’
FKA twigs ‘EUSEXUA’
Fontaines D.C. ‘Romance’
Jacob Alon ‘In Limerence’
Joe Webb ‘Hamstrings & Hurricanes’
Martin Carthy ‘Transform Me Then Into A Fish’
Pa Salieu ‘Afrikan Alien’
PinkPantheress ‘Fancy That’
Pulp ‘More’
Sam Fender ‘People Watching’
Wolf Alice ‘The Clearing’
What is the Mercury Prize?
The Mercury Prize recognises the best new British and Irish music and aims to celebrate artistic achievement across an eclectic range of contemporary music genres.
As an independent arts prize, it is designed to champion the album format, acts as a snapshot of the year in music and often provides a major platform for up and coming artists and their musical work.
The award is seen as an important milestone in many artists’ journeys, providing a stepping stone to wider success in the UK and Ireland as well as internationally.
Each year, the shortlist is curated by an independent judging panel of music industry professionals who are eternally passionate about spotlighting artistic achievement across a range of genres.
This year’s judges are: Danielle Perry – Broadcaster & Writer; Jamie Cullum – Musician & Radio 2 Broadcaster; Jamz Supernova – 6 Music Broadcaster and DJ; Jeff Smith – Head of Music, Radio 2 & Radio 6 Music; Lea Stonhill – Music Programming Consultant; Mistajam – Songwriter, DJ & Broadcaster; Phil Alexander – Creative Director, Kerrang!/Contributing Editor, Mojo; Sian Eleri – Radio 1 Broadcaster & DJ; Will Hodgkinson – Chief Rock & Pop Critic, The Times; Sophie Williams – Music Writer & Broadcaster. The Chair of the judging team is Jeff Smith.
The red carpet is ready and the stage is set at Newcastle’e Utilita Arena. Credit: ITV Tyne Tees
What happens on the night?
Nine of the 12 shortlisted artists will perform on stage in front of the judges at the awards show at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena, which this year is being hosted by Sunderland-born broadcaster Lauren Laverne.
Each artist will perform one track from their shortlisted album.
A live performance film will be shown to celebrate the ‘Albums of the Year’ from the other shortlisted artists.
The Mercury Prize winner is announced towards the end of the night.
Tickets have been available for the event via the Utilita Arena’s website. According to the venue, doors open at 6.30pm ahead of the show starting at 8pm.
The show is expected to end at about 10.15pm.
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What is the Mercury Prize Fringe?
The Mercury Prize Fringe has seen a series of events take place across the North East in the run-up to the award show.
Celebrating regional talent, these have included live music, workshops, industry events and community activity across all seven local authority areas.
Appearances from leading voices such as Radio 1’s Maia Beth, this year’s official Mercury Prize social host, and Sam Spencer, EVP at Atlantic Records, plus masterclasses, workshops and advice sessions with Mercury-shortlisted artists and industry leaders including YouTube Music and Universal Music Group have been among of the events to have been held.
Last year’s Mercury Prize winner English Teacher has also been a part of the Mercury Fringe celebrations, with front-woman Lily Fontaine joining Art of the Album Day at Newcastle’s historic Common Room yesterday.
‘It means the world to be among them’, says Lily Fontaine, front-woman of English Teacher which won the 2024 Mercury Prize
LNER (London North Eastern Railway) was hosting a specially named service today, transporting VIPs, including judges and guests, to Newcastle where they were to be welcomed by a musical performance on the station platform.
Earlier this week Fenwick, in Newcastle, revealed bespoke windows showcasing the 12 ‘Albums of the Year’.
The department store was also set to host two events as part of the Mercury Prize Fringe including a Mercury Prize Fanzone featuring live performances organised by Generator.
Creative industries Minister, Ian Murray, said: “Since the first ceremony in 1992, the Mercury Prize has been celebrating iconic and alternative music all across the country. The prize can change the entire trajectory of a musical career.
“There is a rich and diverse history of winners – from the first recipients, Glasgow legends Primal Scream, to the most recent, English Teacher, an indie rock band with roots in Leeds and Lancashire. Artists like these from across the UK are why hosting the ceremony outside London for the first time is so welcome.”
The government launched the Creative Places Growth Fund earlier this year, investing £150 million into growing the creative industries in six “high-potential” areas around the UK.
Some £25 million of this is going to the North East in the hope of building on its existing creative sectors – from screen and software development to music and publishing.
Up to £30 million has also been committed to the Music Growth Package, designed to help smaller British artists break through at home and abroad.
Mr Murray added: “In their acceptance speech last year, English Teacher gave thanks to the local music scene that kick started their career, clearly demonstrating just how important regional grassroots venues are and the success stories that can emerge from these beginnings.”
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