The Mercury Prize, long regarded as the most prestigious accolade in UK and Irish music, is set for a historic transformation this year as it leaves London for the very first time. On Thursday, October 16, 2025, the Utilita Arena in Newcastle will play host to the celebrated ceremony, marking a significant milestone for both the event and the North East’s cultural landscape. For decades, the Mercury Prize has championed musical innovation and diversity, but this year’s shift northward is about more than just geography—it’s about opportunity, recognition, and a recalibration of the British music scene.
Bookmakers and critics alike are abuzz with speculation, with Irish singer CMAT emerging as the clear front-runner for her critically acclaimed third album, Euro-Country. According to The Star, CMAT is the 5/2 favourite after a year that saw her dominate festival stages, including a much-lauded set at Glastonbury. Her album, a vibrant blend of personal storytelling, humor, and explorations of national identity, has struck a chord with both fans and industry insiders. As one bookmaker put it, “She’s now the 5/2 favourite to take home the 2025 Mercury Prize.”
Hot on her heels are former Mercury Prize winners Pulp, whose comeback album More has reignited their fanbase and earned them 5/1 odds. The Sheffield band, known for their incisive social commentary and infectious melodies, previously won the Mercury with Common People, and their latest effort has been buoyed by a series of triumphant live shows. Not far behind in the betting is Irish band Fontaines D.C., whose fourth album Romance has propelled them to new heights of fame and 4/1 odds, as reported by The Star. With their gritty, poetic approach, Fontaines D.C. are “well on their way to being one of the biggest acts on the planet.”
The shortlist for this year’s prize is as eclectic as ever, reflecting the Mercury’s reputation for celebrating a broad spectrum of genres and voices. Among the nominees are pop sensation PinkPantheress, singer-songwriter Jacob Alon—who is hoping to become only the fourth Scottish act to win for their debut album In Limerence—and the legendary folk musician Martin Carthy. At 84, Carthy is the oldest nominee in the prize’s history, recognized for Transform Me Then Into a Fish, a reflective project that revisits his extensive songbook from a 60-year career. Carthy’s influence stretches back to the early 1960s, when he famously introduced Bob Dylan to British folk clubs.
Also in the running is Wolf Alice, whose latest record The Clearing marks their fourth consecutive Mercury nomination. The London-based rock band previously took home the prize in 2018 for Visions of a Life, and their consistent presence on the shortlist underscores their enduring appeal. Local hero Sam Fender, a native of the North East, is nominated for his third album People Watching, which offers a piercing look at working-class life in the region. With the ceremony unfolding in his backyard, there’s a palpable sense of excitement among his supporters.
The full list of nominated albums reads like a who’s who of contemporary British and Irish music: CMAT’s Euro-Country, Emma-Jean Thackray’s Weirdo (whose debut Yellow won Jazz FM’s Album of the Year), FKA Twigs’ Eusexua, Fontaines D.C.’s Romance, Jacob Alon’s In Limerence, Joe Webb’s Hamstrings and Hurricanes, Martin Carthy’s Transform Me Then Into a Fish, Pa Salieu’s Afrikan Alien, PinkPantheress’ Fancy That, Pulp’s More, Sam Fender’s People Watching, and Wolf Alice’s The Clearing.
The move to Newcastle is part of a broader push to decentralize the UK music industry, a sentiment echoed by Jo Twist, chief executive of the BPI, the organization behind both the Mercury Prize and the Brit Awards. “We’ve always had the aspiration to move the Mercury Prize, in particular, outside of London because it’s a representation of the best music of the year from across Britain and Ireland,” Twist told the BBC. “Celebrating that talent from all over the country was part of the thinking.”
This strategic relocation is not just symbolic. The partnership with Newcastle City Council and the North East Combined Authority aims to spotlight regional talent and foster new opportunities outside the capital’s traditional stronghold. As Twist notes, “Talent is everywhere but opportunity isn’t. So it’s only right that we bring these large-scale shows outside London to show there are opportunities within the music industry without having to move city.”
The excitement in the North East has been palpable. The build-up to Thursday’s ceremony has included a week-long series of fringe events, featuring concerts from local artists and workshops designed to nurture aspiring musicians. Teesside’s Finn Forster, who has gone from playing pubs to supporting Stereophonics on tour, expressed his gratitude to the BBC: “The north-east has been overlooked for so long. Everyone’s incredibly proud about the fact the Mercury is coming—and there’s such a high calibre of people performing at the fringe.”
For some, the move is long overdue. Coventry-born rapper Pa Salieu, nominated for Afrikan Alien, reflected on the significance of the change: “I always heard of Mercury, growing up, but it seemed so far away, out of reach. So I think the Mercury Prize should be in Coventry, in Birmingham. It should move like a tour. Let the youth feel heard.”
Thursday’s ceremony, hosted by Sunderland native Lauren Laverne, promises to be a star-studded affair, with performances from nine of the twelve nominees. Full coverage will be available on BBC television, BBC Sounds, Radio 6 Music, and BBC News. For those unable to attend in person, the event will be broadcast live on BBC Four from 9:30 pm, ensuring that music fans across the country can tune in and share in the excitement.
Since its inception in 1992—when Scottish band Primal Scream took home the inaugural award for Screamadelica—the Mercury Prize has been a bellwether for musical excellence and innovation. While the Brit Awards will also leave London next year for Manchester, the Mercury’s move to Newcastle is a bold statement about the vibrancy and importance of regional music scenes.
As the industry looks to the future, this year’s Mercury Prize is more than a competition; it’s a celebration of talent, resilience, and the power of music to bring people together, wherever they may be. With anticipation at fever pitch and the eyes of the music world on Newcastle, Thursday night promises to be a landmark moment for British and Irish music.
