Mercury Prize 2025: Nominations Announced as Iconic 90s Band Returns
The Mercury Prize 2025 is back, and it’s bigger than ever. The coveted award, recognising the best albums from the UK and Ireland, will be handed out next month at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle on 16 October.
Today, the full list of nominees was revealed, with an exciting mix of established acts and fresh talent in the running.
This year’s shortlist boasts twelve albums contending for the prestigious accolade.
Fans are already buzzing, especially after news that legendary 90s band Pulp is making a long-awaited comeback with their new album More, their first in over two decades.
The current holder of the Mercury Prize is This Could Be Texas by English Teacher, but that will change very soon. As always, anticipation is building, with industry watchers eager to see who will take home this year’s award.
A Star-Studded Line-Up
The nominations were unveiled this morning by Lauren Laverne on BBC Radio 6 Music and BBC Sounds, with live broadcasts reaching music lovers across the country. The twelve albums up for ‘Album of the Year’ are:
- EURO-COUNTRY – CMAT
- Weirdo – Emma-Jean Thackray
- EUSEXUA – FKA twigs
- Romance – Fontaines D.C.
- In Limerence – Jacob Alon
- Hamstrings & Hurricanes – Joe Webb
- Transform Me Then Into A Fish – Martin Carthy
- Afrikan Alien – Pa Salieu
- Fancy That – PinkPantheress
- More – Pulp
- People Watching – Sam Fender
- The Clearing – Wolf Alice
The shortlist is miscellaneous, stretching across stripes and generations, from cutting-edge sounds to expert artificers. The diversity underscores the Mercury Prize’s commitment to recognising creativity and invention in music.
Introducing the artists behind the 2025 Mercury Prize Albums of the Year! ✨@cmatbaby @ejthackray @FKAtwigs @fontainesdublin
Jacob Alon@_joe_webb_
Martin Carthy@PA_SALIEU_ @pinkpantheress2 @welovepulp @samfendermusic @wolfalicemusic #MercuryPrize pic.twitter.com/196BzRI7nj— Mercury Prize (@MercuryPrize) September 10, 2025
“A New Dawn” Outside London
For the first time in its history, the Mercury Prize is heading outside the capital. Newcastle has been chosen to host this time’s form, a move described as “ a new dawn ” by organisers, who have partnered with Newcastle City Council and the North East Combined Authority.
“This is a chance to shine a spotlight on a region packed with talent and venues bursting with energy,” one spokesperson commented.
The event is set to boost the region’s profile in the UK’s music landscape.
Live Performances and Special Features
Attendees can anticipate live sets from numerous of the shortlisted artists. BBC Music will be furnishing full content of the form, icing suckers across the nation, don’t miss a moment.
Adding redundant faculty, the Mercury Prize Newcastle Fringe will be launched in tandem with the awards.
Organised by music development agency Generator, the Fringe runs from 9–15 October and aims to “bring the North East’s phenomenal music scene and iconic venues alive like never before.”
It will span seven local authority areas, including spots like the Glasshouse in Gateshead and Pop Recs in Sunderland.
Meet the Judges
A carefully chosen independent panel of industry experts will determine this year’s winner. They’re known for their passion and deep understanding of musical art.
The judging panel includes famed names such as Jamie Cullum, Sian Eleri, and Mistajam.
Other panel members are Danielle Perry, Jamz Supernova, Jeff Smith( president), Lea Stonhill, Phil Alexander, Will Hodgkinson, and Sophie Williams.
The judges are assigned to celebrate cultural merit across a variety of styles and push the discussion about UK music forward.
The Mercury Prize 2025 isn’t just an awards show; it’s a festivity of music’s power to evolve, connect, and inspire.
From the return of Pulp to the rise of new voices, it’s shaping up to be a corner event. With Newcastle taking centre stage, the UK’s music scene is ready to roar. Stay tuned as the preamble begins.
The stage is set. The artists are ready. Who’ll take home the Mercury Prize 2025? Only time will tell.
