Music stars arrive in Newcastle for Mercury Prize 2025
25 minutes ago
Jonny Manning and
Evie Lake
North East and Cumbria
Getty Images
Britain and Ireland's top musicians have arrived in Newcastle for this year's Mercury Prize, a groundbreaking move that will take place outside London for the first time. Sunderland's Lauren Laverne will host the awards, while North Shields' own Sam Fender is set to perform at the event. Fender is one of 12 artists shortlisted, and it is hoped that his act, along with the award's new location, can inspire the next generation of talent in the region.
Nominee Martin Carthy MBE, despite being a 'bloomin' southerner', expressed his honor at the move, calling it a 'master stroke'. At 84, Carthy is the oldest ever Mercury nominee. Fellow nominees Emma Jean Thackray and Joe Webb shared his sentiment, hoping for more opportunities in the music industry beyond London. Thackray, a Northern girl, praised the Mercury Prize's decision to bring the event to the North.
Meanwhile, Webb highlighted the amazing audiences in the North, stating that people really love it and feel on your side from the minute you press a key or sing. Middlesbrough country singer Finn Forster, grateful for the industry's step outside London, noted the North East's long-overlooked status. Forster, along with other acts, performed in the run-up to the awards as part of the Mercury Prize Fringe, inspiring others from the North East to pursue music careers.
The event has already attracted young musicians, including the Mini Mercury Choir, who performed Sam Fender's 'People Watching' to music industry professionals at the Tyneside Cinema as part of the Fringe. Gareth Miller from the North East Music Hub emphasized the impact of this opportunity on young people, stating that some could be future Mercury Prize winners.
The Mercury Prize ceremony is taking place at 20:00 BST at Newcastle's Utilita Arena, with BBC arts reporter Sharuna Sagar describing the move as 'history being made'. She added that the BPI's decision to move the UK's most prestigious music awards 300 miles north sends a clear signal: the industry is finally taking the North East seriously. With local alumni like Maxïmo Park, Field Music, The Unthanks, and Nadine Shah, the hope is that the Mercury's northern debut will open doors for more homegrown artists to thrive.
The shortlist for the album of the year award was announced last month, featuring CMAT, PinkPantheress, Wolf Alice, and Pulp. When the acts were revealed, British Phonographic Industry chair Yolanda Brown expressed excitement, noting that this year's Mercury Prize is more special due to the region's significance.
