The Mercury Prize Fringe is set to return to Newcastle in October with its biggest programme yet, as anticipation builds for the main Mercury Prize Awards, where Olivia Dean has been tipped as the early favourite to win.
Organisers have promised the "biggest programme yet" for this year's Fringe, following last year's success. More than 30 events are set to take place across venues in the city between October 15 and 22.
Fringe Programme Highlights
The week-long Fringe will feature live performances, listening parties, screenings, workshops, talks and one-off events, bringing together artists, music fans and the wider industry.
Among the highlights will be the premiere of Sam Fender's Live at London Stadium film, accompanied by a panel exploring his artistic journey, the cultural impact of his music and the creative process behind the film. There will also be sets for budding musicians aged 12 to 18, while BBC Introducing comes to the Mercury Fringe for a special live edition spotlighting emerging talent from the North East, headlined by Sunderland's Tom A. Smith.
Generator Live Conference
A major part of the programme will be Generator Live, a free-to-attend conference at Newcastle's Crowne Plaza on Wednesday 21 October. It will see emerging artists and creatives come together with leading figures from across the music industry.
Adam MacDonald, Project Manager at Generator, said: "Last year, we headed into the unknown with the creation of the first-ever Mercury Fringe, and the response from music lovers and the wider music industry across the North East completely blew us away."
"What made it so special was the collective enthusiasm of artists, venues, partners and audiences across the city. It showed exactly why Newcastle is such a brilliant home for the Mercury Prize."
"This year we've taken that energy and built on it. The programme is bigger and more ambitious, with even more opportunities to discover new music, see brilliant artists, and get involved in Mercury Prize week. We can't wait to see the city come alive again."
Mercury Prize Awards Anticipation
Dr Jo Twist OBE, CEO of the BPI, organisers of the Mercury Prize, added: "We're so delighted to be bringing the Mercury Fringe back to Newcastle in October, with a bigger and bolder programme than ever thanks to our partners at Generator and Newcastle City Council."
"Newcastle is a true music city, and we're grateful to its incredible music ecosystem for welcoming the Mercury Prize. We know this year's Fringe will offer the local community an important opportunity to connect, inspire and create a lasting legacy together."
For the main Mercury Prize Awards, Olivia Dean has been tipped to take the top accolade. While JADE is up for the award with her debut solo album That's Showbiz, it's Man I Need songstress Olivia Dean who was named as early favourite to win with bookies last month.
The Mercury Prize Fringe takes place across Newcastle from 15-22 October 2026. Tickets and full programme information are available from generator.org.uk/mercuryprizefringe.
