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Mercury Prize 2026 review: RAYE takes home the crown as Newcastle celebrates the very best in music

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall - 23rd October 2026

One of the biggest nights in music kicked off last night as the Mercury Prize 2026 was awarded.

If there was ever a night to fall head over heels in love with British and Irish music, the 2026 Mercury Prize made a very convincing case.

Bringing together some of the country’s most exciting artists under one roof in Newcastle, this year’s ceremony was a reminder of just how much talent is packed into the current music scene.

From established legends to the names shaping what comes next, it was an absolute belter.

Images: Audio North

Held at the Newcastle Utilita Arena for the second year running, I think everybody in that room felt very lucky to be there to see firsthand who took home the coveted prize.

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The shortlist brought together an impressive mix of artists, with Florence + The Machine, Olivia Dean, JADE, Suede, Pulp, Dave and Sir Paul McCartney among the big names making the lineup very star studded indeed.

Suede kicked things off with ‘Dancing With The Europeans’, bringing their unmistakable energy to the ceremony, while Pulp delivered ‘Begging For Change’ as part of the HELP(2) charity compilation.

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It was a line-up that demonstrated the sheer range of music being made across the UK and Ireland, from contemporary pop to established rock and even jungle thanks to Bradford’s own Nia Archives.

And of course, there was one woman who had every reason to leave with a smile on her face.

RAYE took home the coveted Mercury Prize for THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE., an ambitious, genre-hopping album that blends jazz, soul, R&B and classical influences into something so fabulously unique.

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Image: Audio North

Newcastle’s own Knats performance was definitely a highlight of the evening, combining slick jazz with spoken-word poetry against a projection of The Tyne Bridge.

A fitting image, and one that underlines the importance of holding such huge events in the north and highlighting the obvious talent that thrives here.

The 2026 Mercury Prize was a brilliant showcase of the country’s music at its best.

And with RAYE taking home the trophy, it’s clear there is plenty of ‘hope’ left in British music.

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Featured image – Audio North

Audio

Alex Warren announces massive Heaton Park gig in Manchester

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Alex Warren announces massive Heaton Park gig in Manchester

Alex Warren has just announced a huge summer gig in Manchester, performing to massive crowds at Heaton Park.

The chart-topping star will be performing on the hallowed grounds that have hosted the likes of Oasis, Courteeners, and Catfish and the Bottlemen.

Heaton Park will also be the site of two enormous Fontaines D.C. gigs next summer.

And now Alex Warren has added his name to the list, announcing that he’ll be taking the stage here in Manchester in July 2027 – one of the biggest gigs of his career.

The news follows a massive 12 months for the star, whose second album WILDCHILD topped charts around the world.

After first rising to fame as part of the TikTok group The Hype House, he went on to release music independently, eventually getting signed to Atlantic Records.

Alex Warren announces massive Heaton Park gig in Manchester

Since then, he’s topped charts globally with his songs and gone four-times platinum in the UK with his massive track, Ordinary.

He has also won an MTV VMA for best new artist, and has been nominated for a Grammy.

As well as Heaton Park, Alex will play summer shows at Cardiff’s Blackweir Fields, Belfast’s Belsonic, Dublin’s Malahide Castle, Live At Glasgow Green and Live at Powderham in Exeter, plus Blenheim Palace Festival, Scarborough Open Air Theatre, and two huge headline shows at Crystal Palace Park Live in London.

Alex Warren will play at Heaton Park in Manchester on 2 July – tickets will go on sale at 9am on Friday 30 October, with a number of artist, promoter and O2 presale available beforehand.

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Featured image: Publicity picture

Audio

Westlife at Co-op Live, Manchester – stage times, setlist, tickets and more

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Westlife announce huge Manchester arena gig on upcoming 25th anniversary tour

Westlife are bringing their 25th anniversary tour to Manchester this October – and demand has been so great, they’re doing THREE nights at the Co-op Live.

Fans of the Irish pop group can look forward to a night of nostalgic singalongs, soaring ballads and some of the biggest hits of their 25-year career when Westlife arrive in Manchester for their Westlife 25: The Anniversary World Tour.

The original Manchester announcement featured a single show, but a rush of demand saw additional dates added – Westlife are now set to spend three consecutive nights at Co-op Live.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Manchester concerts, including dates, tickets, support, setlist, and how to get to the arena.

When are Westlife playing Co-op Live in Manchester?

Westlife are scheduled to perform at Co-op Live on the following dates:

  • Friday 23 October
  • Saturday 24 October
  • Sunday 25 October

All three shows are part of the Westlife 25: The Anniversary World Tour, celebrating the group’s milestone anniversary with a set built around their best-loved songs.

The venue lists a 7pm show start, with general admission doors opening at 6.30pm. Earlier entry is available for certain premium and hospitality ticket holders. Check the timings on your own ticket before travelling.

How to get tickets for Westlife in Manchester

There are still some tickets available for Westlife’s gigs at Co-op Live.

On Friday 23 October, tickets are priced between £61.20 and £123.75, with a few more options for resale – you can see the latest availability HERE.

Ticket prices for Saturday 24 October are the same as above, with the latest availability HERE.

And Sunday 25 October has the best availability of all, with tickets for £61.20, £101.20, £112.20, £123.75, £141.35, and £151.85 still on sale HERE.

Expected Westlife stage times in Manchester

  • 5:30 PM – Co-op Backstage Club doors
  • 6:30 PM – General doors
  • 7:30 PM – Ana Sky (support)
  • 8:30 PM – Westlife
  • 10:30 PM – Approximate finish

Who is supporting Westlife?

Singer Ana Sky is listed as a support artist for the Manchester shows.

The Los Angeles born alt-pop singer-songwriter has gone from a career in biology to international stages, topping the charts with her song King of Hearts.

Her emotional anthem Sleeping Without You has also amassed nearly one million views on YouTube.

What songs can fans expect to hear?

Westlife’s anniversary tour celebrates the songs that made them one of Ireland’s most successful pop groups, from late-1990s favourites to more recent releases.

Based on the reported setlist from their Cardiff show on 19 October, Manchester fans can look forward to a strong selection of familiar hits.

  • World of Our Own
  • Uptown Girl
  • Bop Bop Baby
  • What About Now
  • When You’re Looking Like That
  • What Makes a Man
  • I Have a Dream
  • I Lay My Love on You
  • Starlight
  • Queen of My Heart
  • Chariot
  • Fool Again
  • If I Let You Go
  • My Love
  • Unbreakable
  • Mandy
  • Flying Without Wings
  • Hello My Love
  • Encore
  • You Raise Me Up
  • Swear It Again

How to get to Co-op Live

Tram

For those of you heading to Co-op Live, you’ll be glad to know it’s right next door to a rather famous big blue stadium and its integrated Metrolink stop.

Head along the light blue or orange lines directly to the Etihad Campus or Ashton-under-Lyne, and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.

Trams run frequently on the Ashton-Eccles line to the Etihad stop, with services leaving every six minutes from the city centre and until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.

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Bus

You can find the full list of bus routes HERE, with the one in closest proximity to the venue being the 53 bus, which runs from Cheetham Hill through to Higher Crumpsall, Old Trafford and Pendleton, leaving just a two-minute walk to Co-op Live.

Getting there by car and parking

If you’re driving, there is limited parking available at the venue, but this must be pre-booked ahead of time, and there are designated drop-off areas.

The postcode is M11 3DU, and you can follow the signs towards the wider Etihad Campus as you get closer; directions to the adjacent drop-off points will also be signposted.

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Keep in mind that congestion on the roads close to the stadium is expected to gather around two hours prior to any event, so if you are travelling on the road, these are the suggested times they provide on event day, though estimates will obviously vary:

  • Alan Turing Way (both directions): plan an additional 20 minutes into any journey by road.
  • Hyde Road (eastbound): expect an additional 15 minutes to be added to your journey.
  • Mancunian Way (westbound): plan for an extra 10 minutes of travel time.

There are also three park-and-ride facilities near Co-op Live, but be advised that the Velopark and Holt Town stops will be closed post-event to help safely manage crowds:

  • Ashton Moss (Ashton line) – 183 spaces and 12 disabled spaces
  • Ashton West (Ashton line) – 184 spaces and 11 disabled spaces
  • Ladywell (Ashton-Eccles line) – 332 spaces and 22 disabled spaces

Walk/cycle

Lastly, Co-op Live is only a half-hour stroll from Manchester Piccadilly, and you could even walk along the canal all the way to the front door if you fancy taking the scenic route.

Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes on the Beryl app, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app. There are hire points just near the south-west corner of the Etihad Stadium on Ashton New Road.

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For more information on all travel options, you can check out the enhanced journey planner.

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Featured image: Publicity picture

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