Place your bets and dress to impress – it's Mercury Prize week! One of the most significant nights in British and Irish music, this esteemed award recognizes the finest albums released over the past year, covering a wide range of genres from rock to rap and folk to pop. This year's shortlist is particularly diverse and thrilling. Longtime DIY favorites Fontaines DC, CMAT, Wolf Alice, and Sam Fender are featured among the nominees for Album of the Year, alongside pop pioneers like FKA twigs and PinkPantheress, rap innovator Pa Salieu, DIY Class of 2025 alum Jacob Alon, and indie icons Pulp. Joe Webb and Emma-Jean Thackray represent jazz this year, while folk legend Martin Carthy, at the remarkable age of 84, becomes the oldest artist ever to be shortlisted. To celebrate this occasion, DIY is partnering with LNER - the Official Travel Partner for the 2025 Mercury Prize in Newcastle - to honor the significance of both musical and physical journeys. This year's Prize will be held in Newcastle for the first time, in collaboration with the music development agency Generator to present the Mercury Prize Newcastle Fringe: a series of special events throughout the North East aimed at highlighting local talent and creativity. As we count down to the ceremony on Thursday, October 16th at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena, we have teamed up with LNER to accompany you on your journey there! This special print edition of DIY focuses on connecting you with the stories and artists behind the twelve shortlisted albums, exploring their origins and the journeys that inspire them. Inside, we interview some of the shortlisted artists for a deeper understanding of their work, while Team DIY shares their thoughts on why the other nominated LPs are groundbreaking, award-worthy records. So, the big question is: which album do you want to be named the 2025 Mercury Prize Album of the Year? Visit our Instagram for a chance to win two tickets to the ceremony, and check out DIY’s 2025 Mercury Prize Newcastle special edition below.
Maribou State is set to headline the LIDO Festival next summer. The electronic duo has been confirmed as the first headliner for the upcoming summer edition, with
Erin LeCount has released her latest single, 'Machine Ghost'. This single comes after a busy period for the 22-year-old multi-talented artist, who was present at Ann Demeulemeester.
UK soul artist Konyikeh has released her new single ‘Vulnerability,’ available now through FAMM. This marks the London artist's first official release since 2024.
A profoundly moving and captivating full-length piece that will linger in the minds of listeners well after it has finished.
The music of a band carrying that emotional depth with remarkable grace, and possibly even a sense of hope.
In anticipation of the significant day later this week, this special edition of DIY provides you with detailed information on all 12 albums that made the shortlist.