2025 Mercury Prize shortlist announced, ceremony in Newcastle

The 2025 Mercury Prize shortlist was unveiled on Wednesday, with 12 albums from British and Irish artists competing for Album of the Year and the awards ceremony set for October 16 at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle. The shortlist was revealed at a launch event in central London and announced live on BBC Radio 6 Music by Lauren Laverne. This edition marks the first time in the prize’s 33 year history that the ceremony will be held outside London.

The 12 shortlisted albums are CMAT, EuroCountry; EmmaJean 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; and Wolf Alice, The Clearing. The winner will be announced at the live October event, which will feature performances from nominated artists and receive television, radio and online coverage from BBC Music.

An independent panel chaired by Jeff Smith, head of music for BBC Radio 6 Music and Radio 2, selected the shortlist from albums released between July 13, 2024 and August 29, 2025. The judging committee included...