One of the country’s biggest music prizes was in the region last night.

Sunderland’s Lauren Laverne hosted one of the nation’s biggest music prizes in front of a packed house at Utilita Arena, Newcastle.

Lauren Laverne congratulates overall winner RAYE | John Marshall - JM Enternational

placeholder image — Lauren Laverne congratulates overall winner RAYE | John Marshall - JM Enternational

Some of the biggest names in British and Irish music gathered for the 2026 Mercury Prize Albums of The Year, which featured live performances from many of the twelve shortlisted artists, including Dove Ellis, Florence + The Machine, Jade, Knats, Kojey Radical, Nia Archives, Olivia Dean, RAYE, Suede and Pulp who performed on behalf of the HELP(2) album.

Raye was announced as the overall winner and received the trophy from Broadcaster & DJ Sian Eleri - presenting on behalf of the judging team - before performing the track, I Hate The Way I Look Today, from her winning album to a standing ovation.

Raye was named as overall winner | John Marshall - JM Enternational

The judging team said: “While the twelve albums shortlisted for 2026 Mercury Prize were wildly different, each one demonstrated how the album continues to be the ideal format for an artist or group wishing to get their artistic statement out into the world.

“We believe the album continues to have an important role to play in music in the age of streaming, which is why the judges felt the scale, structure, ambition and sheer charm of this year’s winner was the right choice for the 2026 Mercury Prize ‘Album of the Year’.”

Jade Thirlwall poses with the shortlist award at The 2026 Mercury Prize at the Utilita Arena | John Marshall - JM Enternational

Posting on her Instagram, Lauren said it was a pleasure to be back in her home region.

She said: “ Live events and broadcasting are a funny old business. There’s always an emergency to mange and my job is basically to make it go wrong in the right way - whether your set is breaking down, your artist is breaking down or someone has just pulled a replica of the Prime Minister’s head out of a bag and you have to work out what to say next.

“But then - rare as a comet - you get the gigs where everything just goes perfectly, and hosting it just feels like watching and thoroughly enjoying it. Last night’s Mercury Prize was just like that. What a pleasure to be back in my home region, with a shortlist full of such lovely, talented people and a very worthy winner (congratulations, Raye!).”

She added: “Massive well done to all involved, especially the production crews whose BALLETIC changeover of ten stage setups in two hours was honestly almost as amazing to watch as the show itself. Thanks to the fabulous BBC team for having me back and thanks for watching if you did - the show is on BBCiplayer now if you want to catch up!”