Took place at Newcastle's Utilita Arena...
16 · 10 · 2025
Sam Fender has been awarded the Mercury Prize 2025.
The announcement was made just moments ago, with host Lauren Laverne introducing Radio 1’s Sian Eleri to reveal the winner.
Sam Fender won with his track ‘People Watching’ – he was the last performer of the evening.
Earlier this year, the nominations were announced, featuring 12 albums vying for the award. For the first time, the Mercury Prize took place outside of London, moving to Newcastle’s Utilita Arena.
Performers during the event included Pulp, Wolf Alice, Martin Carthy, and Pa Salieu – unfortunately, CMAT was unable to participate due to complications following the removal of her lower wisdom teeth.
The full list of nominees included:
CMAT ‘EURO-COUNTRY’, Emma-Jean Thackray ‘Weirdo’, FKA twigs ‘EUSEXUA’, Fontaines D.C. ‘Romance’, Jacob Alon ‘In Limerence’, Joe Webb ‘Hamstrings & Hurricanes’, Martin Carthy ‘Transform Me Then Into A Fish’, Pa Salieu ‘Afrikan Alien’, PinkPantheress ‘Fancy That’, Pulp ‘More’, Sam Fender ‘People Watching’, and Wolf Alice ‘The Clearing’.
This year's panel of judges consisted of:
Danielle Perry – Broadcaster & Writer; Jamie Cullum – Musician & Radio 2 Broadcaster; Jamz Supernova – 6 Music Broadcaster and DJ; Jeff Smith – Head of Music, Radio 2 & Radio 6 Music; Lea Stonhill – Music Programming Consultant; Mistajam – Songwriter, DJ & Broadcaster; Phil Alexander – Creative Director at Kerrang!/Contributing Editor at Mojo; Sian Eleri – Radio 1 Broadcaster & DJ; Will Hodgkinson – Chief Rock & Pop Critic at The Times; Sophie Williams – Music Writer & Broadcaster. Jeff Smith serves as the Chair of the judging panel.
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Sam Fender has been awarded the Mercury Prize 2025. The announcement was made just moments ago, with host Lauren Laverne introducing Radio 1's Sian Eleri to proceed with the announcement.