Mercury Prize nominations in full as huge 90s band make comeback

The nominees for the Mercury Prize Awards 2025 have been announced today. Twelve acts are up for the prestigious Albums of the Year, with the news coming ahead of the awards ceremony taking place in Newcastle next month.

The annual Mercury Prize is awarded for the best album released by an act from the UK or Ireland each year. The reigning title holder is English Teacher's This Could Be Texas, but a new winner is due to be named in just a few weeks time.

This year's nominees were announced on BBC Radio 6 Music and BBC Sounds by Lauren Laverne this morning. The twelve nominees are the 'Albums of the Year' but the overall winner will be unveiled at the Utilita Arena on October 16.

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Among the albums nominated is Pulp's More, which is their first album in more than 20 years. The rock band, who rose to prominence back in the 1990s, hadn't released a studio album since 2001 prior to the release of More in June this year.

The Albums of the Year for the Mercury Prize 2025 are:

• EURO-COUNTRY by CMAT
• Weirdo by Emma-Jean Thackray

• EUSEXUA by FKA twigs

• Romance by Fontaines D.C.

• In Limerence by Jacob Alon

• Hamstrings & Hurricanes by Joe Webb

• Transform Me Then Into A Fish by Martin Carthy

• Afrikan Alien by Pa Salieu

• Fancy That by PinkPantheress

• More by Pulp

• People Watching by Sam Fender

• The Clearing by Wolf Alice

The awards ceremony will feature live performances from "many of the twelve shortlisted artists" and the evening will end with the overall winner of this year's Mercury Prize being announced. BBC Music will be providing coverage.

This year marks the first time that the Mercury Prize moves beyond London. Organisers have said that the relocation to Newcastle, in partnership with Newcastle City Council and The North East Combined Authority, "signals a new dawn" for it.

The shortlist for the award each year is curated by an "independent judging panel" of music industry professionals. It's stated that the judges are "eternally passionate" about showcasing artistic achievement across a range of genres.

The judging panel this year includes Jamie Cullum, Sian Eleri and Mistajam. The other judges are Danielle Perry, Jamz Supernova, Jeff Smith, Lea Stonhill, Phil Alexander, Will Hodgkinson, Sophie Williams. Jeff Smith is the chair of the judging team.

It's also been announced that, alongside the awards ceremony, music development agency Generator will launch the Mercury Prize Newcastle Fringe. It's described as a "bold" and region-wide celebration to "bring the North East's phenomenal music scene and iconic venues alive like never before".

The Mercury Fringe, which will run from October 9 to 15, will showcase local talent and feature "creative energy". It's due to span all seven local authority areas of the North East Combined Authority, taking place at venues like the Glasshouse in Gateshead and Pop Recs in Sunderland.

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