British singer-songwriter Sam Fender has won the 2025 Mercury Prize for his album ‘People Watching’. The award was announced on October 16, 2025, at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle, marking the first time the famous music prize was held outside London. For Fender, who grew up just a few miles away in North Shields, it was an unexpected win.
‘People Watching’ is Fender’s third album and has been praised for its honesty, heart, and ambition. The judges said it stood out for being “cohesive, bold, and deeply moving.” The record is rock album with personal stories about growing up, friendship, and loss.
One of the most touching moments of the night came when Fender dedicated the award to Annie Orwin, a woman who inspired the title track and whose passing deeply affected him. Many fans and critics have said this emotional honesty is what makes ‘People Watching’ his best work yet.
Before this, Fender had already built a strong reputation with his earlier albums ‘Hypersonic Missiles’ (2019) and ‘Seventeen Going Under’ (2021). Those records made him one of Britain’s most successful young rock artists, but ‘People Watching’ also includes two Top 10 singles.
This year’s Mercury Prize was special because of where it was held. For the first time in the prize’s history, the ceremony took place outside London. Organisers said they wanted to “celebrate music from all parts of the UK” and make the event more inclusive.
That decision made Fender’s win meaningful. He told the crowd it felt “surreal and beautiful” to accept the prize in his home region, in front of local fans and his family.
The night also featured performances from several of the twelve shortlisted artists, including FKA twigs, Fontaines D.C., CMAT, and Wolf Alice. Folk legend Martin Carthy, aged 84, became the oldest artist ever nominated for the prize and performed Scarborough Fair with his daughter Eliza Carthy and sitar player Sheema Mukherjee.
Fender received a £25,000 prize and a specially designed trophy. In his speech, he thanked his band, his fans, and his hometown community for their support.
