In just six weeks, the esteemed Mercury Prize will be taking place in Newcastle for its 2025 edition - marking the first time in the award’s history that the ceremony is held outside of London. Organizers have now released information regarding the judging panel and hosting responsibilities for this year. The Mercury Prize shortlist is traditionally curated by an independent group of professionals, who come from various sectors of the industry and represent a wide array of genres. This year’s panel is chaired by Jeff Smith from BBC Radio 2 and Radio 6 Music, and includes notable figures such as musician and broadcaster Jamie Cullum, presenter Jamz Supernova, DJ Sian Eleri, writer Sophie Williams, and others.
Additionally, beloved radio DJ and North East native Lauren Laverne will be hosting the event, scheduled for Thursday, October 16, at the Utilita Arena in the city. In a much-anticipated effort to highlight music scenes and communities outside the capital, the Mercury Prize 2025 has teamed up with the music development agency Generator to launch the Mercury Prize Newcastle Fringe: a series of special events occurring across the North East from October 9 to 15, featuring live performances, workshops, discussions, and an industry conference. Further details regarding the Mercury Prize Newcastle Fringe program will be announced soon. Meanwhile, you can find the complete list of judges for the 2025 Mercury Prize below.
The full list of judges for the 2025 Mercury Prize includes:
- Danielle Perry - Broadcaster & Writer
- Jamie Cullum - Musician & Radio 2 Broadcaster
- Jamz Supernova – Radio 6 Music Presenter
- Jeff Smith - Head of Music, Radio 2 & Radio 6 Music
- Lea Stonhill – Music Programming Consultant
- Mistajam – Songwriter, DJ & Broadcaster
- Phil Alexander – Creative Director, Kerrang!/Contributing Editor, Mojo
- Sian Eleri – Radio 1 Broadcaster & DJ
- Will Hodgkinson - Chief Rock & Pop Critic, The Times
- Sophie Williams – Music Writer & Broadcaster
The chair of the judging panel is Jeff Smith.
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