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:
