RAYE, Olivia Dean Lead Performers at 2026 Mercury Prize in Newcastle

RAYE , Olivia Dean , Florence + The Machine and more will perform at the 2026 Mercury Prize ceremony.

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Taking place for a second consecutive year at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, a number of the 12-strong shortlist will perform live at the ceremony on Oct. 22.

Nominees Dove Ellis, Florence + The Machine, JADE, Knats, Kojey Radical, Nia Archives, Olivia Dean, RAYE, Suede and Pulp are all confirmed to perform one song each. Pulp will perform on behalf of the charity LP HELP(2) , organized by War Child; the Sheffield band appears on the compilation with new composition “Begging for Change.”

British rapper Dave and Paul McCartney are the only two nominees on this year’s shortlist who will not perform live at the ceremony. In their place, a short film will be shown to celebrate both releases.

The Mercury Prize is presented annually in recognition of an outstanding album by a British or Irish musician. Recent winners include Sam Fender ( People Watching , 2025), English Teacher ( This Could Be Texas , 2024) and Ezra Collective ( Where I’m Meant to Be , 2023). Other winners since its introduction in 1992 include Arctic Monkeys, Dave, PJ Harvey, James Blake and Skepta.

The event will be broadcast by the BBC across its digital channels and on its radio stations. The ceremony was previously held in London until 2025, when it moved outside the English capital to the northeast.

Albums released between Aug. 30, 2025, and July 17, 2026, were eligible for consideration this year. The 12 shortlisted albums were chosen by an independent judging panel chaired by Jeff Smith, head of music, BBC 6 Music & Radio 2.

See the full shortlist of nominated albums below.

2026 Mercury Prize nominees:

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)

_Originally reported by [Billboard](https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2026-mercury-prize-ceremony-performers-raye-olivia-dean-1236350770/)._