2026 Mercury Prize - Live from Newcastle

Deb Grant and Nathan Shepherd broadcast live from Newcastle as the Mercury Prize 2026 Award Show takes place at the city’s Utilita Arena tonight. They hear from Matt Everitt, who will be backstage at the event, providing listeners with all the action and interviews with this year’s shortlisted artists. The news of the winning album will be broadcast live to listeners before Deb and Nathan play tracks from the album on air.

The Mercury Prize 12 Albums of the Year were announced on 30 July on 6 Music by Jamz Supernova. The shortlisted albums are:

Dave - The Boy Who Played the Harp
Dove Ellis - Blizzard
Florence + The Machine - Everybody Scream
JADE - THAT’S SHOWBIZ BABY!
Knats - A Great Day In Newcastle
Kojey Radical - Don't Look Down
Nia Archives - Emotional Junglist
Olivia Dean - The Art of Loving
Paul McCartney - The Boys of Dungeon Lane
RAYE - THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE.
Suede - Antidepressants
War Child Records - HELP(2)

The awards ceremony, which will be broadcast on BBC Four and BBC iPlayer, will feature live performances from Dove Ellis, Florence + the Machine, JADE, Knats, Kojey Radical, Nia Archives Olivia Dean, RAYE and Suede.

The Mercury Prize promotes the best of UK and Irish music and the artists who produce it. This is done through the celebration of the 12 Albums of the Year, recognising artistic achievement across an eclectic range of contemporary music genres.