Stars Shine at the 2026 Mercury Prize Ceremony in Newcastle
Olivia Dean and Florence Welch among the notable attendees at the prestigious music event.
The 2026 Mercury Prize ceremony brought a constellation of stars to Newcastle on Thursday evening.
Singer Olivia Dean arrived in a striking sheer white halterneck dress, drawing attention on the red carpet. Florence Welch also made an appearance, opting for a sequined black dress complemented by a distinctive long jacket.
Olivia Dean, 27, has experienced significant success following the release of her second album, 'The Art of Loving,' earning accolades at music award ceremonies and achieving chart milestones.
Florence Welch, 40, known for hits like 'Shake It Out,' showcased her fashion sense at the event. The ceremony was hosted by Lauren Laverne, 48, marking the second consecutive year the Mercury Prize has been held in Newcastle, away from its usual London base. Laverne has a history of hosting the prestigious music event.
This year's ceremony featured live performances from artists including Dove Ellis, Florence + The Machine, JADE, Knats, Kojey Radical, Nia Archives, Olivia Dean, and RAYE. The winner of the 2026 Mercury Prize was set to be announced later in the evening.
JADE's attendance came after her song 'Angel Of My Dreams' gained viral popularity. The track experienced a surge in streams after Kylie Jenner walked the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show to the debut single, leading to a 4,300% global increase in streams for 'Angel Of My Dreams' and a 760% rise in streams for JADE worldwide, according to Spotify.
The former Little Mix member shared various TikTok videos reflecting on the song's unexpected success, including one humorous clip where she donned a Newcastle football shirt and another where she mimicked walking the runway. She also posted a video expressing the challenge of promoting a two-year-old single while simultaneously working on new music. The track was initially released in July 2024.
Prior to the awards, JADE shared a lighthearted video debating which song to perform, holding up sheet music for 'Angel Of My Dreams.' The singer, who rose to fame with Little Mix on The X Factor in 2011, previously commented on the Victoria's Secret moment while traveling on London's underground, noting the disconnect between the high-profile use of her song and the everyday setting.
Kylie Jenner's use of 'Angel of My Dreams' during the fashion show, as she wore the $50 million fantasy bra, brought significant attention to JADE's debut single. The chorus of the song includes the lyrics, 'Angel of my dreams / I will always love you and hate you, it's not fair / It's so bittersweet / I will always want you and need you, you don't care / You don't.'