Paul McCartney and Olivia Dean Nominated for 2026 Mercury Prize

Sir Paul McCartney and Olivia Dean are among the 12 artists and acts shortlisted for the 2026 Mercury Prize, one of the UK’s most prestigious music awards.

McCartney has received his first-ever Mercury Prize nomination for his album The Boys of Dungeon Lane, marking a new accolade in the legendary former Beatles member’s career.

Dean has been shortlisted for her acclaimed album The Art of Loving, which has enjoyed major commercial success and further strengthened her position as one of the leading artists of her generation.

McCartney earns first Mercury Prize nomination

At 84, McCartney is among the oldest artists ever shortlisted for the award. His nomination comes decades after his rise to global fame with The Beatles and follows an extraordinary career spanning music, songwriting and performance.

The Boys of Dungeon Lane draws on personal memories and McCartney’s early life in Liverpool, including reflections on his childhood and formative friendships.

The nomination adds another major honour to McCartney’s long list of achievements and places his latest work in competition with some of the biggest names in contemporary British and Irish music.

Olivia Dean among leading contenders

Olivia Dean has earned her place on the shortlist with The Art of Loving, an album that has become one of the standout releases of her career.

The singer has already enjoyed a strong run of recognition in 2026, making her Mercury Prize nomination another significant milestone.

Dean will compete against McCartney and other leading artists for the award, which celebrates artistic achievement across a broad range of contemporary music genres.

Full 2026 shortlist

The 12 shortlisted albums are:

•    Paul McCartney — The Boys of Dungeon Lane
•    Olivia Dean — The Art of Loving
•    Raye — THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE.
•    Dave — The Boy Who Played the Harp
•    Florence + the Machine — Everybody Scream
•    Suede — Antidepressants
•    Nia Archives — Emotional Junglist
•    JADE — THAT’S SHOWBIZ BABY!
•    Kojey Radical — Don’t Look Down
•    Dove Ellis — Blizzard
•    Knats — A Great Day In Newcastle
•    War Child Records — HELP(2)

The shortlist features artists from across the musical spectrum, reflecting the Mercury Prize’s tradition of recognising both established stars and emerging talent.

Winner to be announced in October

The 2026 Mercury Prize winner will be announced on October 22 at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle, with the city hosting the awards for a second consecutive year.

With McCartney bringing decades of musical history to the shortlist and Dean representing a newer generation of British talent, the 2026 competition brings together two very different stages of the UK music landscape.

The final result will determine which of the 12 shortlisted albums is crowned the Mercury Prize Album of the Year.