Mercury Prize Hosts 2025 Awards Newcastle First Time

The 2025 Mercury Prize will be held in Newcastle for the first time, breaking its tradition of being hosted in London. The award ceremony is scheduled for October 16 at the Utilita Arena and will feature live performances from the 12 shortlisted artists, culminating in the announcement of the winner, with BBC Music providing broadcast coverage. Lauren Laverne, a BBC Radio 6 Music presenter and native of the North East, will return as the host, while the shortlist will be announced on September 10. Alongside the main event, the Mercury Prize Newcastle Fringe will take place from October 9 to 15, organized by the music agency Generator, spanning all seven local authorities of the North East Combined Authority and including live gigs, workshops, and other music-related events at various venues. Past winners include English Teacher, who won in 2024 as the first non-London act since 2014, as well as notable artists like Little Simz, Dave, and Ezra Collective. The event aims to celebrate and spotlight the vibrant North East music scene while continuing the Mercury Prize's tradition of honoring the best British and Irish albums of the year.