The list of 12 artists shortlisted for this year’s Mercury Music Prize has been announced today (30 July) and as always it’s a compilation of great contrasts. See the list of happy campers below!

The event is scheduled to take place on 22nd October, at the Utility Arena, Newcastle for the second consecutive year following 2025’s amazing event and win for local artist Sam Fender.

The winner will be decided by a judging panel made up of music writer and broadcaster Sophie Williams, The Times‘ rock and pop critic Will Hodgkinson, composer, DJ and radio broadcaster AFRODEUTSCHE, and broadcaster and musician Danielle Perry.

Alongside them will be Radio 2’s Jamie Cullum, Jeff Smith, Lea Stonhill, MistaJam, Kerrang‘s creative director Phil Alexander, Sian Eleri, with Jeff Smith The Chair of the judging team.

Albums of the Year Shortlist

Dave “The Boy Who Played the Harp”
Dove Ellis “Blizzard”
Florence And the Machine “Everybody Scream”
Jade Thirlwell “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”
Various Artists, War Child “HELP(2)”