22 October 2026
RAYE has been announced tonight, Thursday 22 October, as the overall winner of the 2026 Mercury Prize in Newcastle for her album ‘THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE.’.
Broadcaster Lauren Laverne hosted the 2026 Mercury Prize ‘Albums of The Year’ Awards Show live from Newcastle’s Utilita Arena. A delighted RAYE 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.
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’.
The Awards Show 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. Each played one track from their shortlisted album.