Music
17 Oct 25

Sam Fender wins Mercury Prize for People Watching

Sam Fender wins Mercury Prize for <i>People Watching</i>

Sam Fender at Electric Picnic on August 30th, 2025. Copyright Abigail Ring/ hotpress.com

The prize was presented at a ceremony in Newcastle last night – with Irish acts CMAT and Fontaines D.C. also on the shortlist.

Sam Fender has been announced as the winner of the 2025 Mercury Prize – claiming the prestigious honour for his third album, People Watching.

The award ceremony, hosted by Lauren Laverne, took place at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena last night, marking the first time the Mercury Prize was held outside of London.

The Mercury Prize celebrates the best of UK and Irish music – with 12 albums selected each year for the shortlist.

Bookmakers had previously named CMAT as the favourite to win this year's prize, with her acclaimed third album EURO-COUNTRY.

"All 12 records on the shortlist worked so well on their own terms, ranging from ancient ballads to futuristic electronics," the judging panel commented. "After much discussion, however, we all decided on one album that stood out for its cohesion, character and ambition.

"It felt like a classic album, which will take pride of place in record collections for years to come. People Watching by Sam Fender is both melody-rich and expansive, marrying heartland rock with the realities of everyday life and the importance of community."

People Watching scored a nine-star review in Hot Press upon its release in February, with Riccardo Dwyer describing it as "brimming with unpretentious pathos", and "Sam Fender's most shining effort to date"

Last night's ceremony featured live performances from many of the twelve shortlisted artists, including Emma-Jean Thackray, FKA twigs, Jacob Alon, Joe Webb, Martin Carthy, Pa Salieu, Pulp, Sam Fender and Wolf Alice, who each played one track from their shortlisted album.

Recent years' winners have included English Teacher, Ezra Collective, Little Simz, Arlo Parks, Michael Kiwanuka, Dave, Wolf Alice, Sampha, Skepta and Benjamin Clementine.

See the full list of shortlisted albums below: