Sam Fender Wins 2025 Mercury Prize in Newcastle: A Historic Night in Music

Sam Fender Wins 2025 Mercury Prize in Newcastle: A Historic Night in Music

Sam Fender has been awarded the 2025 Mercury Prize for his third album, People Watching. The singer received the prestigious award in front of a large crowd in his hometown at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena. This marked the first time the ceremony took place in the North East since its inception in 1992. Fender faced tough competition from artists like FKA twigs, PinkPantheress, Pa Salieu, Jacob Alon, Pulp, and others. Notably, 84-year-old Martin Carthy became the oldest Mercury nominee. Nine of the nominees, including Fender, delivered captivating performances at the event, showcasing tracks from their nominated albums. The move of the ceremony to Newcastle was supported by Generator, a prominent music development agency in the North, which organized a vibrant week-long fringe program to celebrate the city's thriving music scene. Following this shift, the BRIT Awards are set to move to Manchester next year, following the footsteps of the Mercurys.