FIGURES SHARED AHEAD OF THIS WEEK’S MERCURY PRIZE ‘ALBUMS OF THE YEAR’ ANNOUNCEMENT, REVEALED ON 10TH SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER AWARD SHOW TAKING PLACE AT THE UTILITA ARENA, NEWCASTLE

Ahead of the 2025 Mercury Prize ‘Albums of the Year’ being announced this Wednesday (10th September), BPI analysis of Official Charts Company data reveals that artists from the North East region have appeared on tracks that have been streamed in excess of 12 billion times, since the Official Charts Company started collating streaming data in 2014.

The region fosters incredible musical talent and artists flying the flag for the North East span genres and generations. Artists such as JADE, whose highly anticipated debut solo album ‘That's Showbiz Baby’ is released later in September, and Sam Fender, who has three Number 1 UK Albums under his belt, both contributed to the figure, which was derived from the plays accrued by a list of over 25 of the region's most well-known artists and performers.

Music legend Sting also features, both as a solo artist with seven Top 5 UK Albums to his name and alongside The Police with four Number 1 UK Albums and five Number 1 UK Singles, as do Dire Straits thanks to the Blyth-raised Knopfler brothers and their six Top 5 UK Albums. Also contributing are Maxïmo Park, who hail from Newcastle and were previously shortlisted for the Mercury Prize in 2005 for debut album A Certain Trigger; and Pet Shop Boys with a whopping 12 Top 5 UK Albums. 

This analysis comes ahead of the announcement of the 2025 Mercury Prize 12 ‘Albums of the Year’, announced from 10:30am on Wednesday 10th September. In October, the Prize moves beyond London for the first time ever, with the Award Show taking place at the Utilita Arena, Newcastle, on Thursday 16th October. The Award Show  will feature live performances from many of the twelve shortlisted artists and the evening will culminate in the announcement of the overall winner of the 2025 Mercury Prize in Newcastle. Last remaining tickets are available here.

The move to Newcastle, in partnership with Newcastle City Council and the North East Mayor, signals a new dawn for the prestigious Prize, with the Award Show always a fantastic night celebrating the best British and Irish music of the year. Alongside the event in October, Generator - the North’s leading music development agency - is powering the Mercury Prize Newcastle Fringe: a bold, region-wide celebration to bring the North East’s phenomenal music scene and iconic venues alive like never before. For more information, visit www.generator.org/mercuryfringe 

The North East is a significant contributor to the UK music economy. Data from UK Music’s Hometown Glory study showed that there were over 700,000 visitors to the region in 2024 for music, with over £360m in revenue created.

Dr Jo Twist OBE, BPI Chief Executive, said: “These impressive streaming figures demonstrate the North East of England's enormous impact on British music and on the global stage. From rock legends like Dire Straits and Sting to contemporary icons like Sam Fender and JADE, the region has nurtured generations of incredible talent. With the support of a vibrant local music ecosystem, local authorities and a dynamic music industry, we see that continuing for generations to come. 

We're so excited to be bringing the 2025 Mercury Prize to Newcastle to celebrate the breadth of human artistry that exists across the UK, and to shine a spotlight on the North East's fantastic music scene and industry through the upcoming Mercury Prize Newcastle Fringe in partnership with Generator.”

Cllr Karen Kilgour, Leader of Newcastle City Council said: “These figures cement our belief that Newcastle is fast becoming the cultural heartbeat of the North of England, a true pioneer in the music industry.

“We’re so proud to have such incredible talent here from across all genres and a fantastic support network that will ensure this talent succeeds. Along with our partners including music agency Generator, we share a commitment to further invest in the city and region’s music sector and become an industry leader. To be a place that provides opportunities not only for upcoming musicians but also for our future generations.

“We’re very excited and honoured to be hosting the Mercury Prize in Newcastle, and it is fitting our city is the first outside of London to do this.”

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: “If you want to know what North East pride means just listen to our voices.  There is passion in this region and people want to hear more of what we have to say. I’m proud to be working with the North East music industry to help get more working-class musicians a successful career and to export these talents globally. These figures are great, but there is so much more to come”

Mick Ross, CEO of Generator, said: “The North East is a place like no other - our venues, our talent, our fans and our crowds live and breathe music. That spirit has carried generations of artists onto global stages, and it’s alive and louder than ever today. To have the Mercury Prize in Newcastle for the very first time is a moment of huge pride for our region. For Generator to power the Mercury Fringe across the North East - bringing that energy into our communities and shining a light on the next wave of talent - makes it all the more special. The world is watching, and the North East is ready to show what we’re made of.”