MERCURY PRIZE NEWCASTLE - 2025 SHORTLIST‘Transform Me Then Into A Fish’ is the first solo album in twenty-one years from Robin Hood’s Bay-based musician Martin Carthy, one of Britain’s most influential folk musicians. The album was released in August 2025 on HemHem Records and produced by Ben Seal with Eliza Carthy. I have nothing to hide. I just think, 'You did it, for heaven's sake, to the best of your ability.'
MERCURY PRIZE NEWCASTLE - 2025 SHORTLISTPA SALIEU My mission is to take and go. We will take happiness; we will take all. As long as I breathe, I’m as equal as anyone.
Page 21‘Fancy That’ is the second album from Bath-born singer, songwriter and producer Vicky Beverley Walker aka PinkPantheress. The album was released in May 2025 on Warner Records and reached Number 3 in the UK Album Charts. The singles include ‘Tonight’, ‘Stateside’ and ‘Illegal’. I don’t care about the beats, I care about the pen
Page 25‘People Watching’ is the third album from North Shields singer-songwriter Sam Fender. The album was released in February 2025 on Polydor Records and reached Number 1 in the UK Album Charts. The singles include ‘People Watching’, ‘Wild Long Lie’, ‘Arm’s Length’, ‘Little Bit Closer’ and ‘Rein Me In’. Life is a series of moments that shape who we become.