Mercury Prize 2025 moves to Newcastle for first time outside London

The 2025 Mercury Prize will be awarded at Newcastle's Utilita Arena on Thursday, October 16, marking the first time in the award's 33-year history that the ceremony is being held outside London. The evening, scheduled to begin at 8pm and to run until around 10:15pm, will bring 12 shortlisted artists to the stage and announce the winner live during the televised portion of the show, which begins at 9:30pm and will also be available online.

The shortlist spans multiple genres and generations, from emerging acts to veteran performers. Nominees are CMAT (EuroCountry), EmmaJean Thackray (Weirdo), FKA twigs (Eusexua), Fontaines D.C. (Romance), Jacob Alon (In Limerence), Joe Webb (Hamstrings and 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). Organisers say each shortlisted artist will receive a specially commissioned trophy; the overall winner will receive a cash prize of 25,000 and a winners' trophy.

Irish singer songwriter CMAT's third album EuroCountry is widely regarded as a leading contender after debuting at number two on the UK Albums...