Image Credit: Chuff Media PR

The Mercury Prize is one of the most prestigious awards in the British and Irish music scene and this year, there were various firsts achieved in an effort to help diversify the prize and make it more inclusive. 

Image Credit: Chuff Media PR

The most prominent difference with the 2025 Mercury Prize was that, for the first time ever, the ceremony was held outside of London. This year, it was held at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena with the aim to spotlight the brilliant music that is created outside of the South of England and recognise the cultural hotspot that is the North East. This was incredibly fitting, and most likely planned, due to the winner of this year’s prize being Sam Fender – Newcastle’s music legend. 

Sam Fender’s advocacy for Newcastle has been invaluable to their local economy,with his homecoming shows alone boosting their economy by £16.5 million as 150,000 fans flocked to St James’ Park. His music details his life growing up in North Shields with People Watching in particular having heavy political themes of government neglect of Northern regions and the working classes. The album looks back on his small-town life with dismay and anger about the effects of austerity, however, such reflections have had a stark impact on his listeners. Fender resonates with the North East, not only for helping to express political grievances but for his heartfelt songwriting that brings Geordies into the foreground.

To celebrate his win, Sam Fender has announced a deluxe version of People Watching including a new track ‘Talk To You’ featuring Elton John and ‘Rein Me In’ with Olivia Dean. This record will be released on 5 December and consists of eight extra tracks.

Last year’s winners, English Teacher with their album This Could Be Texas, also demonstrate the brilliance that comes from the North of England. The band’s hometown is Leeds, which has been named one of the best cities to go and see live music alongside Manchester and Newcastle. 

Wolf Alice’s nomination for The Clearing also made Mercury Prize history, as it made the band the first to be nominated for the Prize for their first four consecutive albums. Wolf Alice are infamous contestants in this prize after winning in 2018 for their album Visions of Life.
While Sam Fender was not the bookies favourite to win this year’s Mercury Prize, it is certainly deserved. 2025 had so many brilliant nominations which included FKA twigs with EUSEXUA, CMAT’s EURO-COUNTRY, Fancy That by PinkPantheress and Fontaines D.C. ‘s Romance; making it such a hard year to judge. Who do you think should’ve won if not People Watching?