Music fans are reacting to the Mercury Prize 2026 shortlist.
Today (July 30), the 10 nominees for the shortlist have been unveiled for the prize. The winner will be crowned on October 22 at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena, where Sam Fender bagged the prize last year for his third album ‘People Watching‘.
Paul McCartney, JADE, Nia Archives, Dave, Suede, Florence + The Machine, Olivia Dean, RAYE and Dove Ellis are all up for the Mercury Prize, with the War Child ‘Help(2)‘ compilation rounding out the nominations.
Now, fans are reacting to the shortlist on social media, with many praising the list as “stacked”. “Omg Knats, Raye, Florence and Dove Ellis shortlisted for Mercury Prize who do i pick”, one fan agonised.
Some commented on McCartney’s inclusion on the list, which will mark his first time being nominated for a Mercury. “2026 music scene is so wild even Paul McCartney is competing with Nia Archives,” one fan remarked, while another said: “Paul McCartney being shortlisted was not on my bingo card this year.”
Meanwhile, other fans were upset at this year’s snubs – and in particular, with Lily Allen‘s absence from the list. “How the fcuk has Lily Allen not been nominated for the Mercury Prize? What a pile of poo this award is,” one user wrote. On the Mercury Prize Instagram, another user listed Gorillaz as another notable exclusion: “What’s the criteria and the period you’re looking at? Why no gorillaz”.
Previous winners Harry Styles, Arlo Parks, and James Blake were also absent from the list, despite releasing albums this year.
Take a look at a range of reactions and see the full shortlist below:
I want that ” HELP 2″ win for thousands of reasons @WarChildUK 🫶
— ɪ ᴀᴍ ʏᴏᴜ 🌞 (@MDepeche) July 30, 2026
Great list… so excited that Knats are on!! Got my tickets to the show.. it’s going to be superb!
— Denise Bennett💙 🇪🇺🇺🇦 (@denisebennett) July 30, 2026
florence or nia will be winning
— harley (@runningtopain) July 30, 2026
What an absolute stacked shortlist for the Mercury Prize this year! So many incredible records on this list 🎶🏆
— C#Minor (@albert_blur) July 30, 2026
2026 music scene is so
wild even Paul McCartney
is competing with Nia
Archives.— Emmy Remote Jobs (@ChuksEmma947401) July 30, 2026
Paul McCartney’s first Mercury nod at 84?! Absolute legend. This shortlist is stacked 🔥
— Dividend Trucking (@quiet8302) July 30, 2026
JADE for the win!! pic.twitter.com/ig5HeQiye2
— HAKU (@im_a_cachcow) July 30, 2026
A lineup packed with brilliance but RAYE feels like the album to beat
— Nancy Evans (@NancyEvans69185) July 30, 2026
Emotional Junglist should win the mercury prize imho
— 🌙Karl D’Silva🥀 (@krldslv) July 30, 2026
omg Knats, Raye, Florence and Dove Ellis shortlisted for Mercury Prize who do i pick
— Dylan (@feelbadjazz) July 30, 2026
Mercury Prize 2026 shortlist. Paul McCartney being shortlisted was not on my bingo card this year. I’m hoping @archives_nia gets the big award. But all other artists are just as deserving as well https://t.co/2LNWlx303Z
— Life In FEH (@MickEFlip) July 30, 2026
How the fcuk has Lily Allen not been nominated for the Mercury Prize? What a pile of poo this award is. Probably doing her a favour – I’m speech debelle less.
— Kramer-remarK (@PaulHitsheet) July 30, 2026
The full shortlist for the Mercury Prize 2026 is:
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)’
Recent winners of the Mercury Prize include English Teacher, Ezra Collective, Little Simz, Dave, Wolf Alice, Young Fathers and more.
The judging panel consists of music writer and broadcaster Sophie Williams, The Times‘ rock and pop critic Will Hodgkinson, composer, DJ and radio broadcaster AFRODEUTSCHE, and broadcaster and musician Danielle Perry.
Radio 2’s Jamie Cullum, Jeff Smith, Lea Stonhill, MistaJam, Kerrang‘s creative director Phil Alexander and Sian Eleri will join the judging panel, with Jeff Smith acting as The Chair of the judging team.
Tickets to the Mercury Prize 2026 are on sale and available here.
Elsewhere, Sam Fender previously donated his £25,000 Mercury Prize winnings to the Music Venue Trust.