Mercury Prize 2026 Newcastle performances announced as final tickets remain

Dove Ellis, Florence + The Machine, JADE, Knats, Kojey Radical, Nia Archives, Olivia Dean, RAYE and Suede are among the artists confirmed to perform at the 2026 Mercury Prize ceremony in Newcastle.

The 2026 Mercury Prize has revealed the live line-up for this year’s Awards Show, which takes over Utilita Arena Newcastle on Thursday 22 October.

Ten of this year’s nominated acts will take to the stage during the ceremony, with Dove Ellis, Florence + The Machine, JADE, Knats, Kojey Radical, Nia Archives, Olivia Dean, RAYE and Suede all performing tracks from their shortlisted albums.

Pulp will also perform on behalf of War Child Records’ HELP(2), which is among this year’s 12 Albums of the Year.

Each live artist will perform one track representing their nominated record, while short films will celebrate the shortlisted albums from Dave and Paul McCartney. The ceremony will culminate in the announcement of the overall 2026 Mercury Prize winner, with BBC Music returning as the Prize’s broadcast partner.

Mercury Prize returns to Newcastle

This year marks another major moment for Newcastle after the Mercury Prize staged its biggest year yet in the city in 2025. The awards return in partnership with Newcastle City Council, while a much-expanded Mercury Prize Fringe will run across Newcastle from 15–22 October.

More than 30 Fringe events are planned across the city, covering live music, listening parties, film screenings, workshops, talks and special one-off events. Among the programme highlights are the premiere of Sam Fender: Live at London Stadium at Tyneside Cinema, Mini Mercury x First Gigs at The Grove and An Evening With Knats at the John Marley Centre.

It follows Sam Fender’s victory at the 2025 Mercury Prize, when the North East artist took home the award on home turf.

The 2026 Mercury Prize Albums of the Year

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 Mercury Prize celebrates British and Irish music across a broad range of genres, with the shortlist selected by an independent judging panel.

This year’s panel includes AFRODEUTSCHE, Danielle Perry, Jamie Cullum, Jeff Smith, Lea Brook, MistaJam, Phil Alexander, Sian Eleri, Sophie Williams and Will Hodgkinson. Jeff Smith chairs the judging team.

Recent winners alongside Sam Fender include English Teacher, Ezra Collective, Little Simz, Dave, Wolf Alice and Young Fathers.

With the Awards Show and a week-long Fringe programme taking place across Newcastle, the Mercury Prize will once again put the city at the centre of the UK music industry this October.

2026 Mercury Prize Awards Show
Date: Thursday 22 October 2026
Venue: Utilita Arena Newcastle
Tickets: Final remaining tickets are on sale now.