The Mercury Prize is returning to Newcastle
Written by Caitlin Barlow on 5th October 2026
The Mercury Prize is returning to Newcastle’s Utilita Arena for the second year in a row. Celebrating some of the best albums of 2026, featuring performances from Suede, RAYE, Jade and many more. Alongside this event on October 22, there is also the Mercury Fringe which is ‘putting Northern talent centre stage’ during ‘the official build up’ to the Mercury Prize Awards.
The Mercury Fringe is a weeklong celebration of local, Northern talent, taking place at over 30+ venues in Newcastle. There will be a range of live shows, interactive workshops, conferences and creative experiences.
Adam MacDonald, project manager at Generator, has said that last year’s response from the first ever Mercury Fringe was incredible and the collective enthusiasm of artists, venues and partners showed exactly why Newcastle is such a brilliant home for the Mercury Prize.
He said: “This year we’ve taken that energy and built on it. The programme is bigger and more ambitious, with even more opportunities to discover new music, see brilliant artists and get involved in Mercury Prize week. We can’t wait to see the city come alive again.”
Each event has different ticket prices, with some shows being pay as your feel, free and others with an assigned ticket fee. The festivities begin on October 15 and commence the following week on October 22, the day of the awards ceremony.
Beginning at Freight Island, the first night gives new artists the chance to perform alongside more established names and appear for new audiences, with Hannah Robinson headlining the stage. Throughout the week, expect visits to Tyneside Cinema, Zerox, The Globe, Head of Steam and countless more.
Hannah Robinson said: “I’m so excited to be headlining the first event. There’s such a strong community in the North East, everyone is buzzing for each other. I believe the Mercury Prize Fringe will generate even more buzz for Newcastle, hosting it two years in a row certainly draws attention to the region – it’s not all about London and Manchester anymore.”
A BBC Introducing Stage is taking place at The Glasshouse, which is being headlined by Sunderland musician, Tom A Smith, 22. Tom has headlined a range of stages across the North East over the years, and last appeared on the BBC Introducing Stage at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend in May 2026.
Tom A Smith, who is performing at The Glasshouse (Sage 2) on October 19, said: “I’m really looking forward to playing at The Glasshouse for the Mercury Music Fringe. The Glasshouse is such a beautiful venue; and I can’t wait to be back in front of a North East crowd. The buzz and excitement around local shows always feels different and fans always make me feel at home.”
The week then concludes with the ‘Fenwick Fan Zone’, which will feature six artists from the North East performing within The Tavern at Fenwick. Each act will perform original tracks, alongside an acoustic cover from one of this year’s Mercury Prize shortlisted albums. This afternoon of live music is the perfect way to prepare for one of the most anticipated nights in the UK music calendar.
