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BIZARRE: 4 - You Need To See This

Sam Fender wins Mercury prize: ‘Geordie Springsteen’ is voice of a UK ravaged by industrial decline

The Mercury prize almost always produces surprises – among them, Gomez not The Verve in 1998, and English Teacher not Charlie XCX in 2024 – but perhaps the biggest surprise is that the prize has survived for so many years. That it has been won this year by Sam Fender…

The Conversation · Oct 17, 2025

Who is Sam Fender? Quick Facts on the Former Call Centre Worker Discovered in a Pub Who Just Won the Mercury Prize in 2025

Sam Fender's journey from small-town pub gigs to Mercury Prize winner highlights his working-class roots, resilience, and authentic storytelling in music.

International Business Times UK · Oct 17, 2025

Sam Fender releases new song with Elton John, one day after Mercury prize win

John plays twinkling piano part in new song Talk to You, and says he ‘truly loves’ the Geordie singer-songwriter

The Guardian - UK · Oct 17, 2025

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Sam Fender and Sir Elton John release Talk To You

Sam Fender and Sir Elton John's new collaboration is out now.

BANG Premier · Oct 17, 2025

Sam Fender reveals how he plans to celebrate Mercury Prize 2025 win

Sam Fender has won the Mercury Prize 2025 for his third album, People Watching on Thursday (16 October).

The Independent UK · Oct 17, 2025

Sam Fender wins Mercury Prize 2025 for album ‘People Watching’

Established in 1992, the prestigious award honours the best album released by a British or Irish artist each year. And for the first time in its history, the event took place outside of London this year.

Euronews · Oct 17, 2025

Sam Fender didn’t need his Mercury prize win – but he earned it with his incisive social realism

Maybe they should have given the award to an album that wasn’t already a huge hit – but Fender’s blend of kitchen-sink drama and stadium choruses is expertly done

The Guardian - UK · Oct 17, 2025

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Sam Fender wins 2025 Mercury Prize

Sam Fender has won the coveted Mercury Prize for People Watching.

BANG Premier · Oct 17, 2025

Sam Fender dedicates Mercury Prize 2025 to 'mentor' as singer-songwriter says: 'I'm still in shock'

Local lad Fender beat competition from Britpop band Pulp, post-punks Fontaines DC and Irish singer CMAT

Evening Standard · Oct 16, 2025

Sam Fender wins the 2025 Mercury Prize with third album People Watching

Rock singer-songwriter won the prestigious music award in a homecoming triumph just a stone’s throw from where he was raised, in North Shields

The Independent UK · Oct 16, 2025

Sam Fender wins 2025 Mercury prize for his album People Watching

Geordie singer-songwriter’s album reached No 1 on the UK album chart, and led to a series of stadium-sized concerts this summer

The Guardian - UK · Oct 16, 2025

Mercury nominee CMAT: Irish music success comes from ‘generation of trauma’

The singer is nominated alongside fellow Irish act Fontaines DC at the event in Newcastle.

Evening Standard · Oct 16, 2025

How to watch Mercury Prize 2025: live stream for free, with Fontaines D.C., FKA Twigs & Sam Fender performing

All the ways to watch Mercury Prize 2025 live streams, with FKA Twigs' "Eusexua" and Sam Fender's "People Watching" in contention at Newcastle Arena.

Tom’s Guide · Oct 16, 2025

Sam Fender loves 'intimacy' of gigs in the US

Sam Fender has revealed that he has enjoyed playing gigs in smaller venues on the US leg of his People Watching Tour as it reminds him of his early career performances.

BANG Premier · Oct 16, 2025

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BANG Premier · Oct 14, 2025

Sam Fender to release new song featuring Elton John on piano

Sam Fender is releasing Talk To You featuring Sir Elton John this week.

The Independent UK · Oct 4, 2025

Strictly’s Vicky Pattison breaks down in tears as judges say she could win series

‘I haven’t really done a lot of stuff to make the north east proud,’ says reality star

Evening Standard · Oct 3, 2025

Sam Fender secures UK’s biggest-selling vinyl album of 2025 so far

The record is also the fastest-selling vinyl album of the century by a British artist, according to the Official Charts Company.

BANG Premier · Oct 2, 2025

FKA twigs, Sam Fender, Pulp and Wolf Alice lead performers for 2025 Mercury Prize

The shortlisted artists set to perform at the Mercury Prize have been unveiled.

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The Guardian - UK · Sep 28, 2025

Beyond regional doubt: why more acts are touring the UK’s far-flung venues – and why it’s worth making the effort

With touring costs rising and venues closing, many acts are only playing big city dates. But as the Beatles and Led Zep showed in the past, more scenic routes can pay off

The Guardian - UK · Sep 25, 2025

Olivia Dean: The Art of Loving review – British pop’s biggest new star sheds the neo-soul cliches to really shine

Already dominating the charts and seemingly inspired by 70s LA, this exceptionally well-made record is full of diaristic detail and sweetly understated vocals

The Guardian - UK · Sep 14, 2025

‘There was something special happening’: how a Tyneside bingo hall became a mecca for ravers

Promoter and artist Man Power brings world-class DJs and dance acts to King Street Social Club in North Shields

MusicRadar · Sep 10, 2025

"It shows the breadth of talent from across the country and all of our nations”: The Mercury nominations are out with the usual mix of established names and niche outsiders

Sam Fender, Pulp, CMAT and Fontaines DC are among the big-name nominees

The Independent UK · Sep 10, 2025

Irish act could win Mercury Prize for first time in history

IN FULL

BANG Premier · Sep 10, 2025

CMAT, Sam Fender and Fontaines D.C. shortlisted for 2025 Mercury Prize

The 12 Albums of the Year in contention for the 2025 Mercury Prize have been unveiled ahead of the ceremony in Newcastle on October 16.

The Independent UK · Sep 10, 2025

Rock acts Fontaines DC, Sam Fender and Wolf Alice shortlisted for the 2025 Mercury Prize

An Irish act could win for the first time in Mercury Prize history, with both Fontaines DC and pop singer CMAT shortlisted, while North Shields singer-songwriter Fender will be hoping for a homecoming triumph as the ceremony takes place in Newcastle

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