PHOTO: MARY MCCARTNEY
Paul McCartney, Knats and War Child among nominees for 2026 Mercury Prize
The full list of nominees for the 2026 Mercury Prize Albums of the Year has been unveiled, ahead of the awards show taking place on Thursday, 22 October at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle.
Continuing to recognise and platform the best new British and Irish music, the Mercury Prize will be returning to Newcastle following its biggest year in 2025. This year's shortlist was curated by a judging team comprised of AFRODEUTSCHE, Danielle Perry, Jamie Cullum, Jeff Smith, Lea Stonhill, MistaJam, Phil Alexander, Sian Eleri, Sophie Williams, and Will Hodgkinson.
Returning nominees include Dave, who won the Mercury Prize in 2019 for his debut album, Psychodrama, Suede, who won in 1993 with their self-titled debut and received two later nominations, Florence + The Machine, who was nominated in 2009, 2015, and 2018, Olivia Dean nominated for her 2023 debut Messy, Kojey Radical for his 2022 debut Reason to Smile, RAYE for her 2023 debut My 21st Century Blues, Nia Archives for her 2024 debut Silence Is Loud, and War Child Records for the original 1995 Help compilation. Despite losing to Pulp for their album Different Class, Pulp notably donated the £25,000 prize money to War Child. Paul McCartney has received his first-ever nomination this year, alongside Dove Ellis, JADE, and Knats.
Last year, the shortlist included CMAT, FKA Twigs, Jacob Alon, Fontaines D.C., and more, with Sam Fender ultimately taking the prize home for his third album, People Watching. Previous recipients have also included English Teacher, Ezra Collective, Little Simz, and Arlo Parks. The winner of the 2026 prize is set to be revealed at the Awards Show, which will also feature performances from many of the nominated artists.
Full nominees list:
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)
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