3 of this year’s Mercury Prize nominees had PRS Foundation support in their careers
This year’s Mercury Prize shortlist for album of the year features 3 music creators whohave received PRS Foundation support at vital moments to develop their career at home and overseas.
The 3 supported artists are:
Emma-Jean Thackray: ‘Weirdo’
• Lynsey de Paul Prize talent development bursary
• Musician in Residence partnership with British Council to partake in a residency in Brazil
• BBC Introducing x PRS Foundation partnership support to showcase at NYC Winterjazz Fest
• International Showcase Fund to showcase at SXSW
• Women Make Music for recording and release support for her debut album
Sam Fender: ‘People Watching’
• PPL Momentum Music Fund to support release of 2x early singles
• International Showcase Fund to showcase at SXSW
Wolf Alice: ‘The Clearing’
• International Showcase Fund to showcase at SXSW
6 out of the last 7 Mercury Prize winners including the most recent winner English Teacher have had PRS Foundation support at some point in their career journey. Since 2018, 43 nominees had received PRS Foundation support with many more nominees benefiting indirectly through the charity’s support for organisations as well as grantees picking up writing, performing and producing credits on nominated albums.
Joe Frankland, CEO, PRS Foundation says:
“Huge congratulations to Emma-Jean Thackray, Sam Fender and Wolf Alice on the well-deserved inclusion in the Mercury Music Prize shortlist this year. These awards celebrate artistic achievement across all genres and each of these artists continue to do us proud having received support from PRS Foundation at crucial points in their creative and career development.
It’s especially exciting to see this year’s shortlist reflecting the strength and diversity of musical output across the nations and regions of the UK and Ireland. And we’re excited the awards are taking place in the North East for the first time, with transformational Mercury Fringe activities taking place across the region, powered by PRS Foundation Talent Development Network organisation, Generator. See you there!”
The winner of this year’s Mercury Prize album of the year will be announced at the awards ceremony in Newcastle on 16th October 2025.
The PPL Momentum Music Fund offers grants of £5k-£15k for UK based artists/bands to break through to the next level of their careers. Activities eligible for support include recording, touring and marketing. The PPL Momentum Music Fund is run by PRS Foundation in partnership with PPL, Creative Wales and Arts Council of Northern Ireland.
The International Showcase Fund (ISF) offers grants of up to £5,500 for international export opportunities for UK-based artists, bands, songwriters and producers who have been invited to perform or create new music at international industry facing showcasing festivals, song writing camps or conferences. The International Showcase Fund is managed by PRS Foundation in partnership with DBT, British Underground, PPL, British Council, Musicians Union, Arts Council England, Creative Scotland, Wales Arts International, Arts Council Northern Ireland.
