2026 Mercury Prize 'Albums of the Year' Performances Announced for Awards Show

The 2026 Mercury Prize has today announced the artists who will perform at this year’s Awards Show. Those taking to the stage at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena on Thursday 22nd October are Dove Ellis, Florence + The Machine, JADE, Knats, Kojey Radical, Nia Archives, Olivia Dean, RAYE, Suede and Pulp will perform on behalf of the HELP(2) album. Each artist will perform one track from their ‘Album of the Year’. A short film will be shown to celebrate Dave and Paul McCartney’s albums.

The last remaining tickets for the 2026 Mercury Prize 'Albums of the Year' in Newcastle are available via Utlilta Arena.

The 2026 Awards Show will be held on Thursday 22nd October at the Utilita Arena, Newcastle and will culminate in the announcement of the overall winner of the 2026 Mercury Prize. The Prize’s broadcast partner, BBC Music, will provide coverage of the event.

Each year, the shortlist is curated by an independent judging team of music industry professionals who are eternally passionate about spotlighting artistic achievement across a range of genres. The final decision on the overall winner is made on the night. The 2026 Mercury Prize judging team is: AFRODEUTSCHE - Composer, DJ & 6 Music & Radio 3 Unwind Broadcaster; Danielle Perry - Broadcaster (Absolute Radio & Jazz FM) & Musician; Jamie Cullum - Musician & Radio 2 Broadcaster; Jeff Smith - Head of Music, Radio 2 & 6 Music; Lea Brook – Music Programming Consultant; MistaJam – Songwriter, DJ & Broadcaster; Phil Alexander – Creative Director, Kerrang!/Contributing Editor, MOJO; Sian Eleri – Radio 1 Broadcaster & DJ; Sophie Williams – Music Writer & Broadcaster; Will Hodgkinson - Chief Rock & Pop Critic, The Times; The Chair of the judging team is Jeff Smith.

Following its biggest year yet in 2025, The Mercury Prize is set to be hosted once again in Newcastle, in partnership with Newcastle City Council. Alongside the awards, the 2026 Mercury Prize Fringe also returns to the Toon this October with its biggest programme yet, bringing more than 30 events to venues across the city. Taking place from 15 - 22 October, the week-long Fringe will transform Newcastle into a celebration of music, with live performances, listening parties, screenings, workshops, talks and one-off events bringing together artists, music fans and the wider industry.

The city is buzzing as it gets ready to welcome the Prize, with highlights across the week, including Sam Fender: Live at London Stadium Premiere at the Tyneside Cinema, Mini Mercury x First Gigs at The Grove, An Evening With Knats at the John Marley Centre, and so much more. View a new interactive map of Newcastle outlining all of the official 2026 Mercury Prize and Fringe activity at Newcastle Map.

The Mercury Prize recognises the best new British & Irish music, celebrating artistic achievement across an eclectic range of contemporary music genres. As an independent arts prize, it champions the album format, acts as a snapshot of the year in music and often provides a major platform for up-and-coming artists and their musical work. The Prize has been an important milestone in past winners’ journeys, acting as a stepping stone to wider success in the UK and Ireland as well as internationally.

Last year saw Geordie hero Sam Fender claim the Prize, and other recent past winners include English Teacher, Ezra Collective, Little Simz, Dave, Wolf Alice, Young Fathers, and more.