The funds will help support the charity’s work to protect and secure the future of live music spaces across the nation. Sam Fender recognised the role that grassroots venues have played in his early career, saying, “I wouldn’t be doing what I am doing today if it wasn’t for all the gigs I played around the North East, and beyond, when I was starting out. These venues are legendary, but they are struggling.”

CEO and founder of MVT Mark Davyd said, “This is an incredible gesture by Sam, demonstrating once again that artists absolutely understand how vital grassroots music venues are to their careers and to their communities. We are honoured to accept this donation and will ensure every penny of it makes a direct difference to the campaign to keep live music at the heart of our towns and cities”

Sam Fender’s recent UK and Ireland tour dates saw him donate £1 from each ticket sold to the Music Venue Trust. His arena shows in 2024 raised more than £100,000 for the charity’s Liveline Fund to support 38 different grassroots venues across England, Scotland, and Wales.

Sam explained that, “It’s brilliant to see that the money raised from the arena tour is making a real difference to so many venues. The grassroots circuit has been decimated over the last 10 years or so, and the idea that money from shows in big venues supports the smaller venues, where it all starts for musicians like me, is just common sense.”

Last week, it was announced that both The Joiners and The Croft, two grassroots music venues, had been saved by the National Trust of venues, Music Venue Properties. It was first announced by MVT in May 2022, and the campaign raised £2.3 million in the first year through donations and investments. That figure now stands at almost £4 million.

Other major acts like Coldplay and Katy Perry have adopted the levy and donated a portion of ticket sales to help save grassroots venues. In spring, it was reported that UK tour ticket contributions had raised £500,000 for grassroots spaces. A report published earlier this year found that over 90 per cent of music fans were supportive of the £1 ticket levy.

When speaking with NME, Prime Minister Kier Starmer said, “I’m very supportive of this initiative, the £1 levy going back into grassroots [venues], because so much of our music is grassroots.”

She has also added an extra date to her tour in Glasgow, Manchester and Dublin. She announced this on Instagram, writing in the caption “can’t believe i’m saying this but presale sold out so quickly we’re adding some extra shows general sale 10am on friday bst / 11am cest !!! wow wow wow”.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Olivia Dean (@oliviadeano)

Olivia Dean attended the prestigious BRIT performing arts school, with alumni including Amy Winehouse, Geordie Greep, Adele and Jessie J. In 2019, she released her first EP ‘OK Love You Bye‘, introducing the music scene to her neo-soul melodies and heartfelt, authentic lyrics.

She first gained recognition when she won Amazon Music‘s 2021 Breakthrough Artist of the Year. Since then, she has grown exponentially in popularity, going on to win the BBC Introducing Artist of the Year in 2023. 2023 also saw the release of Dean’s debut album ‘Messy’, which was released to critical acclaim. Listen to ‘Messy’ below:

Dean shot to stardom after the release of her debut album, which was nominated for the 2023 Mercury Prize. In the same year, Dean was also nominated for 3 BRIT Awards, Best New Artist, Mastercard Album of the Year and Artist of the Year.

This year, she has also added to her stardom after she was selected to write the lead single in the soundtrack to the 2025 film Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy. Olivia Dean wrote the incredible song ‘It Isn’t Perfect But It Might Be’ for the film, a song which gained widespread radio play. Watch Dean perform this song on her YouTube channel below:

Olivia Dean has been busy this summer, playing a secret set at Glastonbury Festival, a top act at Forwards Festival in Bristol and even a performance at British Summer Time (BST) 2025 at Hyde Park. Her ‘The Art of Loving Live‘ tour begins in the USA in October 2025.

Before the main tour begins, Dean is playing acoustic sets of the new album at album launch events next month (September 2025), starting in Edinburgh before visiting Liverpool, Leeds, Kingston, Bristol, Manchester and Nottingham, where she will discuss the new album with fans during these intimate sets at small venues. Tickets for these events are currently sold out though she has suggested she will add new dates to her acoustic sets due to high demand.

Dean has currently released three singles from her new album, ‘Nice To Each Other’, ‘Lady Lady’ and ‘Man I Need’. Watch the music video to her latest single ‘Man I Need’ below:

Tickets for Olivia Dean’s 2026 ‘The Art of Loving Live‘ tour can be bought here. General sale begins tomorrow Friday 29 August. Deans new album ‘The Art of Loving‘ is available for pre-order here, which will be released on 26 September 2025.

The shortlist of the 12 contending albums will be revealed on September 10, and the award show itself will be held on October 16 at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena, the same venue that held the MOBO awards in February.

This year’s new location comes in collaboration with the BPI (British Phonographic Industry), Newcastle City Council, The North East Combined Authority and Generator, an arts organisation in the North East.

To honour the relocation of the renowned ceremony to Newcastle, Generator will be organising a week-long regional fringe programme in the days leading up to the award. This programme will celebrate the diverse range of talent within the North East, and provide opportunities for creatives.

BPI Chief Executive Dr Jo Twist shared her excitement for the upcoming event: “We are delighted to announce this groundbreaking moment for the Mercury Prize. We and our label community are committed to celebrating and providing the opportunity to showcase talent from all over the UK.

“Previous Mercury Prize winners and Album of the Year artists have consistently demonstrated this breadth of talent that is uniquely homegrown. Newcastle-upon-Tyne is a true music city and we are excited to work with our partners at The City of Newcastle & North East Combined Authority to deliver this inaugural moment and a memorable Mercury Prize 2025.”

Newcastle Mayor Kim McGuinness also said she’s looking forward to the festivities: “Bringing the Mercury Prize to the North East is yet another fantastic accolade that builds on our proud cultural history and strengthens our reputation as a region of culture.

“The success of artists like Sam Fender shows what is possible for young musicians in our region and hosting the Mercury Prize in the North East gives us the opportunity to showcase our home-grown talent. Our region’s cultural offer is strong, and steeped in the pride and creativity of our people, places and industrial heritage. This event is testament to that and will help our region stand tall on the national and international stage.”

The Mercury Prize is a highly regarded award for any British musician. Celebrating the best in new British and Irish music since 1992, the annual award covers a wide range of genres, with artists from Primal Scream to Skepta taking home the coveted prize. It focuses on the album format – shortlisting a selection of important, iconic releases from the year.

Last year, it was Leeds indie band English Teacher that took home the prestigious prize, beating out other nominated names like Charli XCX, Barry Can’t Swim and Nia Archives.

The Mercury Prize 20205 nominees will be confirmed at a later date, and tickets to the awards ceremony are available here.

To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Coles Corner we’re releasing some special editions of the album + announcing some special Anniversary Shows!

— richardhawley (@RichardHawley) March 4, 2025

 Hawley made the announcement on social media, and quickly followed it up with an appearance on BBC Radio 6’s Lauren Laverne Show on 4 March. The musician revealed that he was initially reluctant to celebrate the anniversary, preferring to look forward to upcoming projects, but he acknowledged the album’s impact on his career. “That record changed everything for me, it was a game-changer. When we made that, it was the last roll of the dice.”  

Named after a well-known meeting spot in Sheffield, ‘Coles Corner’ was released in 2005 and received critical acclaim. The album currently holds a score of 85 on Metacritic, and reviews have compared Hawley to a variety of 60s figures, including Scott Walker and Roy Orbison. The record earned Hawley a Mercury Prize nomination, with the award eventually going to the Arctic Monkeys, prompting frontman and fellow Sheffielder Alex Turner to say, “somebody call 999, Richard Hawley’s been robbed.”

In a rare moment of reflection, Hawley revealed the troubled circumstances that the album emerged from. “I had no record deal at all. We were with Setanta Records, who had backed me since the beginning, but that had ended. I was marooned, and at 34 years old, like most rock stars, it’s not a good time to start a career. There was no money, it was looking bleak.” A friend loaned him £10,000 to record the album, “…and I thought now is the time to make the record you’ve always wanted to make. Without any compromise. It’s sink or swim.”

  The reissue will be available on both CD and vinyl, with the item listing revealing a second disc of 18 bonus tracks, including acoustic and live versions of songs from ‘Coles Corner’. Physical copies of the album are available to preorder on Hawley’s Dig! store, and fans who order before 3pm on 10 March will gain access to a presale for the tour.  

Alongside the York show, Hawley has confirmed shows in Boston, Portmeirion, Blackpool, Margate, Worthing, and Weston-super-Mare. Hawley also hinted that more dates will follow, using his BBC interview to tell fans to wait before booking shows on the other side of the country. “Each gig will be unique and special… Each show will be all over the country in places off the beaten track.”  

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

A post shared by BBC Radio 6 Music (@bbc6music)

The 58-year-old is synonymous with the Steel City, often using Sheffield as a backdrop for his songs. Speaking about the role it plays in his music, he said, “If you write about things you know, you have authority by living through it. I see beauty in the very simple things of everyday life and always have.”   

The announcement of the reissue and tour have been met with excitement from his devoted fanbase. One X user wrote: “What an album this is. Pre-ordered the [limited] vinyl and 2 CD edition, and tickets for York booked this morning. Already can’t wait.”

What an album this is – pre-ordered the ltd vinyl & 2cd editions & tickets for York booked this morning – already can’t wait! — JonR1973 (@jonnyroberts73) March 6, 2025

With only one appearance in his native city in the past 18 months, hopes are high that Hawley will make a stop in the South Yorkshire city on the tour. Further dates are expected to be announced following the presale. Tickets are not available for purchase yet.

The annual Mercury Prize awards ceremony took place this week on Thursday 7th September at the Hammersmith Apollo London. The ceremony acknowledges the best of British music with their prestigious award for Album Of The Year, alongside a £25,000 prize.

Previous winners of the highly-respected award include Wolf Alice, Dave, Skepta, James Blake, and Little Simz, who took home last year’s prize with the album Sometimes I Might Be Introvert.

This year’s winners were Ezra Collective, with their 2022 album Where I’m Meant To Be, however they faced some stiff competition being shortlisted with other UK acts such as Arctic Monkeys, Loyle Carner, RAYE and Jessie Ware.

The full list of nominees for the 2023 Mercury Prize were:

• The Car by Arctic Monkeys
• Where I’m Meant to Be by Ezra Collective
• Actual Life 3 by Fred Again
• Beautiful and Brutal Yard by J Hus
• That! Feels Good! by Jessie Ware
• I Love You Jennifer B by Jockstrap
• False Lankum by Lankum
• Hugo by Loyle Carner
• Messy by Olivia Dean
• My 21st Century Blues by Raye
• Nymph by Shygirl
• Heavy Heavy by Young Fathers

Jessie Ware was nominated for her 5th studio album That! Feels Good!, which was released on April 28th of this year. The album includes singles such as “Pearls”, “Begin Again”, “Freak Me Now”, and the LP’s debut single “Free Yourself”, which the 38 year old performed live at the Mercury Prize ceremony.

Many of the other shortlisted acts performed on the Hammersmith Apollo stage, including RAYE, Shygirl, and 2023 winners Ezra Collective.

That! Feels Good! saw Jessie Ware achieve her highest placement on the American Top Album Sales chart, with the record peaking at number 16 for one week. Moreover, in the UK Albums Chart, the London-born singer celebrated her second top 3 entry, with the first being 2020’s What’s Your Pleasure?.

In July, Ware delighted fans with a new version of her song “Freak Me Now” that featured pop singer Roisin Murphy. The single was produced by electronic musician and DJ Stuart Price, who has produced for many artists including Madonna, The Killers, Gwen Stefani and more.

Jessie Ware will be hitting the road at the end of this year to promote That! Feels Good!. You can purchase tickets for the upcoming tour here.

Tour dates:

10/11/2023 – Victoria Warehouse – Manchester, UK

11/11 – Victoria Warehouse – Manchester, UK

13/11 – Barrowland Ballroom – Glasgow, UK

14/11 – Barrowland Ballroom – Glasgow, UK

17/11 – Alexandra Palace – London, UK

18/11 – Alexandra Palace – London, UK

The Mercury Prize is a £25,000 prize that celebrates the best of British and Irish music and has become a well-known and prestigious award for both established and up and coming artists. Previous winners include Dizzee Rascal’s Boy in da Corner and Primal Scream’s Screamadelica.

The 2023 Mercury Prize ceremony took place on Thursday 7th September at the Hammersmith Apollo in London. Ezra Collective were one of 12 nominees for the 2023 Album of the Year award, and were up against acts such as Arctic Monkey’s, Fred Again.., Loyle Carner, RAYE and more.

When accepting the award, Ezra Collective drummer Femi Koleoso said “First of all, let me thank God because if a jazz band winning the Mercury Prize doesn’t make you believe in God, I don’t know what will”

“This is not just a result for Ezra Collective, or for UK jazz, but this is a special moment for every single organisation across the country, ploughing efforts and time into young people playing music.”

You can watch Ezra Collective’s acceptance speech below:

Where I’m Meant To Be spans many genres including Jazz, Afrobeat and Funk. Many artists featured on this Ezra Collective LP, including Emeli Sande, Sampa the Great, 2022 Mercury Prize nominee Kojey Radical, and 12 Years A Slave director Steve McQueen.

Ezra Collective’s debut album You Can’t Steal My Joy was released in 2019, and due to the Coronavirus pandemic, live shows and touring for the 5-piece were limited. Their sophomore, and now award winning, release was written during the 2o2o lockdown. Much to fans delight, Ezra Collective made an electric return to the stage and performed their song “Victory Dance” at this year’s Mercury Prize ceremony.

Other performers at this year’s Mercury Prize included nominees Young Fathers, RAYE, and Jessie Ware. Whilst not all nominees perform at the awards ceremony, all acts receive a trophy in recognition of their achievement.

The full list of nominees for the 2023 Mercury Prize were:

• The Car by Arctic Monkeys
• Where I’m Meant to Be by Ezra Collective
• Actual Life 3 by Fred Again
• Beautiful and Brutal Yard by J Hus
• That! Feels Good! by Jessie Ware
• I Love You Jennifer B by Jockstrap
• False Lankum by Lankum
• Hugo by Loyle Carner
• Messy by Olivia Dean
• My 21st Century Blues by Raye
• Nymph by Shygirl
• Heavy Heavy by Young Fathers

Arctic Monkeys claim their fifth nomination for the Mercury Prize for there 7th album The Car, making them joint most nominated artists in the award history along side Radiohead.

A popular fan favourite single from the album The Car by Arctic Monkeys “There better be a mirror ball.”  along with singles such as “Perfect sense” and “Hello you” could see a second time win for the band.

Mercury Prize Awards celebrates its 32nd year, although last years show was cancelled out of respect, for Queen Elizabeth’s II death.

This years show will go ahead in all its glory on September 7th at 9pm and will be played on BBC 4 and on iPlayer, along with full coverage, from BBC Radio 6, as well as all BBC online and social media outlets. Showcasing some amazing artists, and their latest albums, viewers and listeners will have a whole host of talent to look forward to.

London’s Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, will hold this years award show and tickets are available to purchase. Hosting this years Mercury Awards is DJ and Television presenter Lauren Laverne. There is no further announcement as to whether she will have a guest presenter along side her.

Each performer announced will feature 10 live and two pre-recorded performances at the award show; however, both Arctic Monkeys and Fred Again will be touring in September and unable to attend this years show. Instead, a special film will be shown, to celebrate both of their award nominated albums.

Mercury awards see’s four nominations for the second time, from acts Jhus, Loyle Carner, Young Father and Jessie Ware.

Jessie Ware on release of her album That! Feels Good! which is the title track to the first song, wrote on her official Instagram page to say, “This album is no longer mine, its all yours!”

Jessie Ware in an interview with NME, commented on how she felt to be nominated for her album That! Feels Good!, a decade on since her last Mercury nomination. She said, “It’s nice to see brilliant artists and lovely to be amongst them. It’s amazing to be up for my second Mercury a decade on, and I feel proud of myself.”

This highly sort after award has previously been won by the likes of Portishead in 1995 with their album Dummy, Badly Drawn Boy in 2000 with album The Hour of Bewilderbeast and Arctic Monkeys in 2006 with album Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not.

Mercury Prize Award has no categories, and is open to all musical genres, with 12 shortlisted ‘Album of the Year’ with 1 winner. The artist to win the award will take home, not only the ‘Album of the Year’ trophy, but also a cash prize of £25,000 pounds. Not to mention blow up their social media and public awareness.

The Car is shortlisted for the 2023 @MercuryPrize pic.twitter.com/nBoCgwAed1

— Arctic Monkeys (@ArcticMonkeys) July 27, 2023

While Radiohead, arguably one of the UK’s biggest and most popular acts in recent decades, has never won the prestigious award, Arctic Monkeys have taken the prize home on one occasion so far-winning for their debut effort Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not in 2006. Although The Car has seen the band drift further away from their indie rock roots, the album has nevertheless earned the group plenty of plaudits from critics.

Primarily written by frontman Alex Turner, the album features an eclectic mix of genres that has already seen the work nominated for several awards, including a Grammy and Ivor Novello Award. Fears of a fan backlash were largely unfounded as The Car reached the top ten UK album charts, debuting at number 2. And the group can now add a Mercury Prize nomination to the album’s already impressive run of industry nods.

Arctic Monkeys have supported the album’s release with a global tour which included a successful run of stadium performances in the UK and Ireland and a headlining slot at this summer’s Glastonbury Festival. Set to wrap in October this year, the tour has been notable for featuring lesser known songs in the setlist, giving a broader range of material the chance to thrive in a live setting.

Founded as an alternative to the Brit Awards, The Mercury Prize has become one of Britain’s most cherished music achievement honours. Open to any band containing at least 50% British or Irish membership, the prize seeks to reward the best studio album released in the United Kingdom. The award is bestowed purely upon musical merit, regardless of how successful or popular the artist was in the previous year.

In the award’s 31 year history, PJ Harvey holds the record for being the only artist to have won the award on more than one occasion, having taken home the prize twice in 2001 and 2011 respectively. Arctic Monkeys will be hoping to become only the second artist to accomplish this feat with The Car.

Introducing the artists on the Shortlist for the 2023 Mercury Prize with @FreeNow_UK! @ArcticMonkeys@EzraCollective@fredagainagain1@jhus@JessieWare@jockstrapmusic1@LankumDublin@LoyleCarner@oliviadeano@raye@0800shygirl@Youngfathers#MercuryPrize pic.twitter.com/tw8UQzp5Zx

— Mercury Prize (@MercuryPrize) July 27, 2023

While open to all genres, the prize has been noted by some critics for the absence of bands within the metal subgenre, although rock groups are included in this year’s shortlist.

This year’s ceremony judges will consist of music journalists, presenters, artists and broadcasters and will be held at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, London on 7 September. The event will be shown live across the BBC’s TV and radio stations.

After their homecoming gig at The Alban Arena in August, the trio will be touring across the UK in late November/ early December performing in Nottingham, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, London, and Brighton. Friendly Fires will also be appearing at Connect Festival in Edinburgh and Victorious Festival in Portsmouth in August.

Tickets go on sale Friday 26^th May at 10 am BST. For tickets and more information see here.

Friendly Fires previously played their debut record in its entirety during a two-day residency at HERE at Outernet in London. Last week the party-loving band continued the celebrations and played two more gigs in Norwich and Hull.

The band took to social media on the 22^nd May to announce that they would be extending their tour further writing, “We‘ve had such a ridiculously fun time playing these first album shows that we‘re going to spread the love to some more corners of the UK.” They continued, “Join us to raise a glass, and have a dance- it’s gonna be special.”

A special 15th-anniversary re-issue of the vinyl edition of Friendly Fires and the “Paris” 12 inch including the Aeroplane remix in silver and gold respectively has also been made available to pre-order. For more information see here.

Ed Macfarlane, Jack Savidge, and Edd Gibson met at St Albans School aged 13 and formed the post-hard-core band First Day Back covering Green Day tracks and the like until they left for university. Post-uni the lads regrouped and took a new musical direction taking inspiration from the German techno label Kompakt, Carl Craig, and Prince to form the dance band Friendly Fires.

Their sophomore single “Paris” gathered attention from critics receiving single of the week in The Guardian, NME magazine, and on Zane Lowe’s BBC Radio 1 show. With their infectious sunshine and upbeat energy, it’s no surprise the singles from Friendly Fires became favourites for soundtracking TV commercials and television series – “On Board” featured in Nintendo’s Wii Fit commercial, and “White Diamond” can be heard in the second season of Gossip Girl.

Watch the video for “Paris” below:

In 2008, the album was released becoming a favourite for former indie sleaze party kids. Friendly Fires was certified double gold, nominated for the Mercury Music Prize, and led to the band being nominated for Best British Group and British Breakthrough Act at the Brit Awards in 2010.

For Friendly Fires’ UK tour dates see below:

24/08/23 – Arena – St Albans
25/08 – Victorious Festival – Portsmouth
26/08 – Connect Festival – Edinburgh
23/11 – Rock City – Nottingham
24/11 – O2 Victoria Warehouse – Manchester
25/11 – O2 Institute – Birmingham
28/11 – Beckett Students Union – Leeds
30/11 – Troxy – London
1/12 – Dome – Brighton

And the winner of the 2022 Mercury Prize with @FreeNow_UK is… @LittleSimz – ‘Sometimes I Might Be Introvert’ #MercuryPrize pic.twitter.com/PqMWA59e0C

— Mercury Prize (@MercuryPrize) October 18, 2022

This puts Little Simz in a very respectable position this year after she also bagged the title of best newcomer at the Brit awards earlier this year – despite it being more than 7 years since she crashed onto the scene – as well as her appearances at Reading and Leeds Festival. Simz well deserved recognition was met with rapturous applause as she gave her short and sweet acceptance speech, “There was times in the studio when I didn’t know if I was going to finish this record, I was feeling all the emotions and really going through it. He stuck by me and pushed me to deliver this album for you guys.”

In a statement made by the Mercury Prize judges, they explain, “This accomplished and complex yet entirely accessible album is the work of someone striving constantly to push herself.” Continuing, “It deals with themes both personal and political while putting them against music that is as sophisticated as it is varied. The Mercury Prize is all about shining a light on albums of lasting value and real artistry. Sometimes I Might Be Introvert has both.”

The original performance night was supposed to take place 6 weeks ago, on September 8^th, but the night was postponed after the news broke of Queen Elizabeth II’s death. In the days following the announcement many members of the public, as well as revered artists, made their respects to the Queen. You can take a look at a select few of those moments here.

My fundamental belief that Simz is the deserving winner of this prize doesn’t mean to take away from the achievements of all of the artists that even managed to be nominated for the award. Yard Act, Self Esteem, Nova Twins, Kojey Radical, and all of the other names featured here have given massive contributions to the ever-expanding repertoire of fantastic British music. But when you boil down thoughtful lyricism, creative production, and a bizarrely effective portrayal of a political system… you’ve just got to give it some credit.