Mercury Prize 2025: Sam Fender, Pulp and Wolf Alice among performers at ceremony
The 2025 Mercury Prize have finally announced which artists will be performing on the night of the ceremony on October 16th.
The celebration has moved this year from England’s capital to Newcastle’s Utilita Arena. Making the journey to the North East, the performers will include Emma-Jean Thackray, FKA Twigs, Jacob Alon, Joe Webb, Martin Carthy, Pa Salieu, Pulp, Sam Fender and Wolf Alice.
Each artist set to perform on the evening must perform one track from their shortlisted album. Those who have missed out on the chance to perform will still enjoy their moment, as a live performance film will be shown to celebrate the ‘Albums of the Year’ from the other shortlisted artists.
BBC Music will cover the hugely anticipated event. On BBC Radio 6 Music and BBC Sounds, Deb Grant and Nathan Shepherd will broadcast live from Newcastle and will reveal the winner live on air. BBC Four and BBC iPlayer will broadcast the Awards Show from 9.30pm.
Of the location move, the North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness, said: “We’ve brought the Mercury Prize to Newcastle to inspire a new generation of talent in our region. I’m over the moon that so many incredible artists will be coming here for the Prize. They are all such an inspiration to young musicians here.”
In particular, Sam Fender was born in North Shields, less than ten miles from Newcastle. Earlier this summer, he performed three sold-out shows at the 50,000-capacity St James’ Park in the city.
2024 Mercury Prize winner English Teacher will also be part of the Mercury Fringe celebrations, as frontwoman Lily Fontaine joins ‘Art of the Album Day’ on October 15th. English Teacher received the acclaimed prize for their 2024 offering, This Could Be Texas.
See the full list of nominations below:
Mercury Prize 2025 – The complete list of nominated albums:
- CMAT – Euro-Country
- Emma-Jean Thackray – Weirdo
- FKA Twigs – Eusexua
- Fontaines DC – 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
- Wolf Alice – The Clearing
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