{"id":2069124,"date":"2026-07-30T11:44:47","date_gmt":"2026-07-30T08:44:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2069124"},"modified":"2026-07-30T11:44:47","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T08:44:47","slug":"music-fans-react-to-mercury-prize-2026-shortlist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2069124","title":{"rendered":"Music fans react to Mercury Prize 2026 shortlist"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Mercury-Prize-2026.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"template-id-2749694\" class=\"post-2749694 tdb_templates type-tdb_templates status-publish post\">\n<div id=\"tdi_65\" class=\"tdc-zone\">\n<div class=\"tdc_zone tdi_66  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div id=\"tdi_67\" class=\"tdc-row stretch_row_1400 td-stretch-content\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_68  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_70  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_breadcrumbs tdi_71 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-breadcrumbs \" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_71\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span>News<\/span><i class=\"tdb-bread-sep td-icon-right\"><\/i><span>Music News<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_title tdi_72 tdb-single-title td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_72\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Music fans react to Mercury Prize 2026 shortlist<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_subtitle tdi_73 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_73\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>Paul McCartney,\u00a0JADE,\u00a0Nia Archives,\u00a0Dove Ellis, and more are up for the prize this year<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_author tdi_75 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-post-meta\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_75\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-author-name-wrap\"><span class=\"tdb-author-by\">By<\/span> Alex Rigotti<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_date tdi_76 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-post-meta\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_76\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><time class=\"entry-date updated td-module-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-30T12:44:47+01:00\">30th July 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p> <!-- .\/block --><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tdi_77\" class=\"tdc-row stretch_row_1400 td-stretch-content\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_78  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_80  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span8\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_featured_image tdi_81 tdb-content-horiz-left td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_81\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<figure>\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"696\" height=\"442\" class=\"entry-thumb\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Mercury-Prize-2026-696x442.jpg\" alt=\"Sam Fender\" title=\"Mercury Music Awards 2025 - Show\"><figcaption class=\"tdb-caption-text\">Sam Fender winning the Mercury Prize 2025 CREDIT: Euan Cherry\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"vc_row_inner tdi_83 article-content-row vc_row vc_inner wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column_inner tdi_85  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-inner-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"vc_column-inner\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_content tdi_86 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 td-post-content tagdiv-type\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_86\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>Music fans are reacting to the Mercury Prize 2026 shortlist.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>READ MORE:\u00a0James Ford talks us through the huge new War Child \u2018Help(2)\u2019 album \u2013 track-by-track<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>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\u2019s Utilita Arena, where Sam Fender bagged the prize last year for his third album \u2018People Watching\u2018.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad0 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span>  <\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-article-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Paul McCartney,\u00a0JADE,\u00a0Nia Archives,\u00a0Dave,\u00a0Suede, Florence + The Machine, Olivia Dean, RAYE and Dove Ellis are all up for the Mercury Prize, with the War Child \u2018Help(2)\u2018 compilation rounding out the nominations.<\/p>\n<p>Now, fans are reacting to the shortlist on social media, with many praising the list as \u201cstacked\u201d. \u201cOmg Knats, Raye, Florence and Dove Ellis shortlisted for Mercury Prize who do i pick\u201d, one fan agonised.<\/p>\n<p>Some commented on McCartney\u2019s inclusion on the list, which will mark his first time being nominated for a Mercury. \u201c2026 music scene is so wild even Paul McCartney is competing with Nia Archives,\u201d one fan remarked, while another said: \u201cPaul McCartney being shortlisted was not on my bingo card this year.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, other fans were upset at this year\u2019s snubs \u2013 and in particular, with Lily Allen\u2018s absence from the list. \u201cHow the fcuk has Lily Allen not been nominated for the Mercury Prize? What a pile of poo this award is,\u201d one user wrote. On the Mercury Prize Instagram, another user listed Gorillaz as another notable exclusion: \u201cWhat\u2019s the criteria and the period you\u2019re looking at? Why no gorillaz\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Previous winners Harry Styles, Arlo Parks, and James Blake were also absent from the list, despite releasing albums this year.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad1 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\"><\/span><\/p>\n<h5 class=\"taboola-mid-article-title\">Recommended<\/h5>\n<div id=\"taboola-mid-article\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Take a look at a range of reactions and see the full shortlist below:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">I want that &#8221; HELP 2&#8243; win for thousands of reasons @WarChildUK \ud83e\udef6<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 \u026a \u1d00\u1d0d \u028f\u1d0f\u1d1c \ud83c\udf1e (@MDepeche) July 30, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Great list\u2026 so excited that Knats are on!! Got my tickets to the show.. it\u2019s going to be superb!<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Denise Bennett\ud83d\udc99 \ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 (@denisebennett) July 30, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">florence or nia will be winning<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 harley (@runningtopain) July 30, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">What an absolute stacked shortlist for the Mercury Prize this year! So many incredible records on this list \ud83c\udfb6\ud83c\udfc6<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 C#Minor (@albert_blur) July 30, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad2 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span>  <\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-article-2\" class=\"lazy-ad\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">2026 music scene is so <br \/>wild even Paul McCartney <br \/>is competing with Nia <br \/>Archives.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Emmy Remote Jobs (@ChuksEmma947401) July 30, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Paul McCartney\u2019s first Mercury nod at 84?! Absolute legend. This shortlist is stacked \ud83d\udd25<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Dividend Trucking (@quiet8302) July 30, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">JADE for the win!! pic.twitter.com\/ig5HeQiye2<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 HAKU (@im_a_cachcow) July 30, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">A lineup packed with brilliance but RAYE feels like the album to beat<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Nancy Evans (@NancyEvans69185) July 30, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Emotional Junglist should win the mercury prize imho<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 \ud83c\udf19Karl D&#8217;Silva\ud83e\udd40 (@krldslv) July 30, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">omg Knats, Raye, Florence and Dove Ellis shortlisted for Mercury Prize who do i pick<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Dylan (@feelbadjazz) July 30, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Mercury Prize 2026 shortlist. Paul McCartney being shortlisted was not on my bingo card this year. I\u2019m hoping @archives_nia gets the big award. But all other artists are just as deserving as well https:\/\/t.co\/2LNWlx303Z<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Life In FEH (@MickEFlip) July 30, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">How the fcuk has Lily Allen not been nominated for the Mercury Prize? What a pile of poo this award is. Probably doing her a favour \u2013 I\u2019m speech debelle less.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Kramer-remarK (@PaulHitsheet) July 30, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DbaZZbeleRg\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h2><strong>The full shortlist for the Mercury Prize 2026 is:<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Dave \u2013 \u2018The Boy Who Played the Harp\u2019<br \/>\nDove Ellis \u2013 \u2018Blizzard\u2019<br \/>\nFlorence + The Machine \u2013 \u2018Everybody Scream\u2019<br \/>\nJADE \u2013 \u2018THAT\u2019S SHOWBIZ BABY!\u2019<br \/>\nKnats \u2013 \u2018A Great Day In Newcastle\u2019<br \/>\nKojey Radical \u2013 \u2018Don\u2019t Look Down\u2019<br \/>\nNia Archives \u2013 \u2018Emotional Junglist\u2019<br \/>\nOlivia Dean \u2013 \u2018The Art of Loving\u2019<br \/>\nPaul McCartney \u2013 \u2018The Boys of Dungeon Lane\u2019<br \/>\nRAYE \u2013 \u2018THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE.\u2019<br \/>\nSuede \u2013 \u2018Antidepressants\u2019<br \/>\nWar Child Records \u2013 \u2018HELP(2)\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Recent winners of the Mercury Prize include English Teacher, Ezra Collective,\u00a0Little Simz, Dave,\u00a0Wolf Alice, Young Fathers and more.<\/p>\n<p>The judging panel consists of\u00a0music writer and broadcaster Sophie Williams, <em>The Times<\/em>\u2018 rock and pop critic Will Hodgkinson, composer, DJ and radio broadcaster AFRODEUTSCHE, and broadcaster and musician Danielle Perry.<\/p>\n<p>Radio 2\u2019s Jamie Cullum, Jeff Smith, Lea Stonhill, MistaJam, <em>Kerrang<\/em>\u2018s creative director Phil Alexander and Sian Eleri will join the judging panel, with Jeff Smith acting as The Chair of the judging team.<\/p>\n<p>Tickets to the Mercury Prize 2026 are on sale and available\u00a0here.<\/p>\n<p>Elsewhere, Sam Fender previously donated his \u00a325,000 Mercury Prize winnings to the Music Venue Trust.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_tags tdi_87 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_87\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<ul class=\"tdb-tags\">\n<li><span>Related Topics<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Mercury Prize<\/li>\n<li>Paul McCartney<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper td_block_wrap vc_raw_html tdi_89 \">\n<div class=\"td-fix-index\">\n<h3>You May Also Like<\/h3>\n<div id=\"taboola-below-article\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_91  wpb_column 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data-img-retina-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/mercury_prize_2026-800x508.jpg\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Music News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Mercury Prize 2026: check out this year\u2019s shortlisted albums<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-image-container\">\n<div class=\"td-module-thumb\"><span class=\"entry-thumb td-thumb-css\" data-type=\"css_image\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/live-mercury-prize-2025-400x254.jpg\" data-img-retina-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/live-mercury-prize-2025-800x508.jpg\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Music News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Mercury Prize 2026: shortlist announcement date and judging panel announced with tickets on sale now<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-image-container\">\n<div class=\"td-module-thumb\"><span class=\"entry-thumb td-thumb-css\" data-type=\"css_image\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/sam-fender@2000x1270-400x254.jpg\" data-img-retina-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/sam-fender@2000x1270-800x508.jpg\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Music News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Mercury Prize to return to Newcastle for 2026<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-image-container\">\n<div class=\"td-module-thumb\"><span class=\"entry-thumb td-thumb-css\" data-type=\"css_image\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/NMEAR_NME-GLASTO-2022-SAM-FENDER-LIVE-PHOEBE-FOX-2@2000x1270-400x254.jpg\" data-img-retina-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/NMEAR_NME-GLASTO-2022-SAM-FENDER-LIVE-PHOEBE-FOX-2@2000x1270-800x508.jpg\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Music News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Sam Fender donates \u00a325,000 Mercury Prize winnings to Music Venue Trust<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-image-container\">\n<div class=\"td-module-thumb\"><span class=\"entry-thumb td-thumb-css\" data-type=\"css_image\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/English_Teacher_Mercury_2025-400x254.jpg\" data-img-retina-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/English_Teacher_Mercury_2025-800x508.jpg\"><\/span><span class=\"td-video-play-ico\"><i class=\"td-icon-video-thumb-play\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Music Interviews<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">English Teacher talk \u201cconcrete validation\u201d of Mercury Prize win, tease new music: \u201cWe want what we\u2019re writing next to be better\u201d<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-image-container\">\n<div class=\"td-module-thumb\"><span class=\"entry-thumb td-thumb-css\" data-type=\"css_image\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Pulp_Mercury_Prize-400x254.jpg\" data-img-retina-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Pulp_Mercury_Prize-800x508.jpg\"><\/span><span class=\"td-video-play-ico\"><i class=\"td-icon-video-thumb-play\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Music Interviews<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Pulp \u201cnot itching\u201d to make another new album \u2013 despite Mercury Prize nomination for \u2018More\u2019<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>                    <span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span><\/span><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span>                <\/article>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_content tdi_86 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 td-post-content tagdiv-type\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_86\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>Music fans are reacting to the Mercury Prize 2026 shortlist.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>READ MORE:\u00a0James Ford talks us through the huge new War Child \u2018Help(2)\u2019 album \u2013 track-by-track<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>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\u2019s Utilita Arena, where Sam Fender bagged the prize last year for his third album \u2018People Watching\u2018.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad0 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span>  <\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-article-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Paul McCartney,\u00a0JADE,\u00a0Nia Archives,\u00a0Dave,\u00a0Suede, Florence + The Machine, Olivia Dean, RAYE and Dove Ellis are all up for the Mercury Prize, with the War Child \u2018Help(2)\u2018 compilation rounding out the nominations.<\/p>\n<p>Now, fans are reacting to the shortlist on social media, with many praising the list as \u201cstacked\u201d. \u201cOmg Knats, Raye, Florence and Dove Ellis shortlisted for Mercury Prize who do i pick\u201d, one fan agonised.<\/p>\n<p>Some commented on McCartney\u2019s inclusion on the list, which will mark his first time being nominated for a Mercury. \u201c2026 music scene is so wild even Paul McCartney is competing with Nia Archives,\u201d one fan remarked, while another said: \u201cPaul McCartney being shortlisted was not on my bingo card this year.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, other fans were upset at this year\u2019s snubs \u2013 and in particular, with Lily Allen\u2018s absence from the list. \u201cHow the fcuk has Lily Allen not been nominated for the Mercury Prize? What a pile of poo this award is,\u201d one user wrote. On the Mercury Prize Instagram, another user listed Gorillaz as another notable exclusion: \u201cWhat\u2019s the criteria and the period you\u2019re looking at? Why no gorillaz\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Previous winners Harry Styles, Arlo Parks, and James Blake were also absent from the list, despite releasing albums this year.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad1 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\"><\/span><\/p>\n<h5 class=\"taboola-mid-article-title\">Recommended<\/h5>\n<div id=\"taboola-mid-article\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Take a look at a range of reactions and see the full shortlist below:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">I want that &#8221; HELP 2&#8243; win for thousands of reasons @WarChildUK \ud83e\udef6<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 \u026a \u1d00\u1d0d \u028f\u1d0f\u1d1c \ud83c\udf1e (@MDepeche) July 30, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Great list\u2026 so excited that Knats are on!! Got my tickets to the show.. it\u2019s going to be superb!<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Denise Bennett\ud83d\udc99 \ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 (@denisebennett) July 30, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">florence or nia will be winning<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 harley (@runningtopain) July 30, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">What an absolute stacked shortlist for the Mercury Prize this year! So many incredible records on this list \ud83c\udfb6\ud83c\udfc6<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 C#Minor (@albert_blur) July 30, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad2 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span>  <\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-article-2\" class=\"lazy-ad\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">2026 music scene is so <br \/>wild even Paul McCartney <br \/>is competing with Nia <br \/>Archives.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Emmy Remote Jobs (@ChuksEmma947401) July 30, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Paul McCartney\u2019s first Mercury nod at 84?! Absolute legend. This shortlist is stacked \ud83d\udd25<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Dividend Trucking (@quiet8302) July 30, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">JADE for the win!! pic.twitter.com\/ig5HeQiye2<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 HAKU (@im_a_cachcow) July 30, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">A lineup packed with brilliance but RAYE feels like the album to beat<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Nancy Evans (@NancyEvans69185) July 30, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Emotional Junglist should win the mercury prize imho<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 \ud83c\udf19Karl D&#8217;Silva\ud83e\udd40 (@krldslv) July 30, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">omg Knats, Raye, Florence and Dove Ellis shortlisted for Mercury Prize who do i pick<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Dylan (@feelbadjazz) July 30, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Mercury Prize 2026 shortlist. Paul McCartney being shortlisted was not on my bingo card this year. I\u2019m hoping @archives_nia gets the big award. But all other artists are just as deserving as well https:\/\/t.co\/2LNWlx303Z<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Life In FEH (@MickEFlip) July 30, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">How the fcuk has Lily Allen not been nominated for the Mercury Prize? What a pile of poo this award is. Probably doing her a favour \u2013 I\u2019m speech debelle less.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Kramer-remarK (@PaulHitsheet) July 30, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DbaZZbeleRg\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h2><strong>The full shortlist for the Mercury Prize 2026 is:<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Dave \u2013 \u2018The Boy Who Played the Harp\u2019<br \/>\nDove Ellis \u2013 \u2018Blizzard\u2019<br \/>\nFlorence + The Machine \u2013 \u2018Everybody Scream\u2019<br \/>\nJADE \u2013 \u2018THAT\u2019S SHOWBIZ BABY!\u2019<br \/>\nKnats \u2013 \u2018A Great Day In Newcastle\u2019<br \/>\nKojey Radical \u2013 \u2018Don\u2019t Look Down\u2019<br \/>\nNia Archives \u2013 \u2018Emotional Junglist\u2019<br \/>\nOlivia Dean \u2013 \u2018The Art of Loving\u2019<br \/>\nPaul McCartney \u2013 \u2018The Boys of Dungeon Lane\u2019<br \/>\nRAYE \u2013 \u2018THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE.\u2019<br \/>\nSuede \u2013 \u2018Antidepressants\u2019<br \/>\nWar Child Records \u2013 \u2018HELP(2)\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Recent winners of the Mercury Prize include English Teacher, Ezra Collective,\u00a0Little Simz, Dave,\u00a0Wolf Alice, Young Fathers and more.<\/p>\n<p>The judging panel consists of\u00a0music writer and broadcaster Sophie Williams, <em>The Times<\/em>\u2018 rock and pop critic Will Hodgkinson, composer, DJ and radio broadcaster AFRODEUTSCHE, and broadcaster and musician Danielle Perry.<\/p>\n<p>Radio 2\u2019s Jamie Cullum, Jeff Smith, Lea Stonhill, MistaJam, <em>Kerrang<\/em>\u2018s creative director Phil Alexander and Sian Eleri will join the judging panel, with Jeff Smith acting as The Chair of the judging team.<\/p>\n<p>Tickets to the Mercury Prize 2026 are on sale and available\u00a0here.<\/p>\n<p>Elsewhere, Sam Fender previously donated his \u00a325,000 Mercury Prize winnings to the Music Venue Trust.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/news\/music\/music-fans-react-to-mercury-prize-2026-shortlist-3959813&#8243;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Mercury-Prize-2026.jpg&#8221;] NewsMusic News Music fans react to Mercury Prize 2026 shortlist Paul McCartney,\u00a0JADE,\u00a0Nia Archives,\u00a0Dove Ellis, and more are up for the prize this year By Alex Rigotti 30th July 2026 Sam Fender winning the Mercury Prize 2025 CREDIT: Euan Cherry\/Getty Images Music fans are reacting to the Mercury Prize 2026 shortlist. READ MORE:\u00a0James [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,78],"class_list":["post-2069124","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-nme-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2069124","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2069124"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2069124\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2069124"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2069124"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2069124"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}