This year marked the first time the prize would be awarded outside of London. placeholder image
This year marked the first time the prize would be awarded outside of London. | Jason Button/NationalWorld

13 photos as Sam Fender wins the Mercury Prize on home soil in Newcastle

The Mercury Prize stepped outside of London for the first time this week.

On Thursday, October 16 Newcastle’s Utilita Arena welcomed some of the biggest names in music to the North East to celebrate the best albums from UK and Irish acts over the last 12 months.

Fitting for the prize’s first experience outside of the capital, the award was won by Sam Fender for his thirs studio album People Watching, which was released in February.

Fender also performed as part of the ceremony alongside other huge names such as Pulp, FKA Twigs and Wolf Alice.

Check out some of the best photos from the night below.

News you can trust since 1849
Follow us
© 2026 Iconic Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice