Mercury Prize shortlist revealed - as Newcastle prepares to take centre stage
With Sam Fender among this year’s contenders, the 2025 awards mark a milestone moment for the region’s growing cultural profile
Sam Fender is in the running to bring the Mercury Prize home when the prestigious music award is handed out next month… and he won’t have far to take it as the ceremony is being held in Newcastle.
The North Shields singer’s third album People Watching has earned him a place on the coveted shortlist of 12 Albums of the Year’ announced yesterday (Sept 10) on BBC Radio 6 Music by Sunderland presenting treasure, Lauren Laverne - who will also present the ceremony at the Utilita Arena Newcastle on October 16.
Getting canny cosy, the Mercuries like, aren’t they?
The nod adds to a remarkable run of achievements for North Shields’ Sam, who last year played three triumphant sold-out nights at St James’ Park - cementing his reputation as one of the region’s most successful music exports.
But back to the 2025 Mercury shortlist, which is as eclectic as ever, spanning genres from folk to pop, hip hop to experimental jazz.
Alongside Sam’s People Watching are Sheffield icons Pulp with their comeback record More, Dublin rockers Fontaines D.C. with Romance, and Mercury favourites Wolf Alice with The Clearing. FKA twigs is recognised for her bold release EUSEXUA, while the wonderful CMAT brings her distinctive twist on country with EURO-COUNTRY.
The list also spotlights rising stars and distinctive voices: Jacob Alon with In Limerence, Joe Webb with Hamstrings & Hurricanes, and Pa Salieu for Afrikan Alien. PinkPantheress earns her first Mercury nod for Fancy That, while jazz innovator Emma-Jean Thackray is shortlisted for Weirdo. Completing the line-up is folk legend Martin Carthy with Transform Me Then Into A Fish - a reminder of the prize’s reach across both the emerging and the established.
While the names on the list grab the headlines, it’s the location of the Awards show which has already made 2025 a landmark year. It’s the first time since its launch in 1992 that the Mercury Prize ceremony is stepping outside London.
The show will feature live performances from many of the shortlisted acts, culminating in the announcement of this year’s winner, broadcast nationwide by BBC Music.
Coming just months after the Newcastle arena hosted the MOBO Awards, the arrival of another prestigious music event - thanks to the considerable and collaborative efforts of Newcastle City Council, North East Combined Authority and music development agency Generator - signals another boost for the region’s rising cultural profile.
And there’s an open determination to make sure the region benefits from the buzz of hosting such a globally recognised prize.
That’s where the newly launched Mercury Prize Newcastle Fringe comes in. Running from October 9-15, the week-long programme promises to turn up the volume with live music, workshops, and community events designed to showcase the North East’s talent and give local audiences the chance to share in the excitement.
Powered by Generator, the Fringe programme will spread across all seven local authority areas - Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Durham and Northumberland popping up at venues including The Glasshouse in Gateshead, Pop Recs in Sunderland, Queens Hall Arts in Hexham, World Headquarters and Tyneside Cinema in Newcastle.
The programme will include record store listening sessions, songwriting and production workshops, and a major industry conference, ensuring the festival is not just about performance but about nurturing the next generation of artists.
Major North East retailers are also getting involved: Fenwick will showcase the shortlisted albums in store and host live performances, while Adidas will celebrate with a special Mercury display in END. on Grey Street.
The judging panel - which includes broadcaster Jamz Supernova, musician Jamie Cullum and The Times’ rock critic Will Hodgkinson - now faces the unenviable task of choosing one winner.
For Sam Fender, already a North East legend, the prospect of hearing his name called at the Utilita Arena in front of thousands of Geordies would surely be a landmark moment. For Newcastle and the wider region, hosting the Mercury Prize is another chance to underline its growing reputation as true city of culture.
Tickets for the Mercury Prize Awards Show at the Utilita Arena on October 16 are on sale now. Details of the Mercury Fringe programme can be found on the Generator website - with more details to be added in the coming weeks.