EXCLUSIVE: Sheffield’s own Jarvis Cocker has praised the Mercury Prize for bringing different genres of music together, three decades after Pulp won the trophy for Different Class
As the biggest names in music gather for the Mercury Prize Awards in Newcastle, Pulp’s Jarvis Cocker has praised the ceremony. It’s been three decades since the Sheffield-based band took home the trophy for their record, Different Class, released in 1995 – but the ceremony is still just as important to them.
Tonight, the band are nominated for the compilation album Help (2), created by War Child, which also features Arctic Monkeys, Fontaines D.C., Olivia Rodrigo, Oasis, Cameron Winter and Depeche Mode.
“I think Lauren Laverne pointed out, you know, it’s 30 years since we actually won it,” Jarvis told the Mirror on the red carpet. “Was that His ‘n’ Hers, or was it Different Class?,” Candida Doyle asked her bandmate, to which Jarvis confirmed it was for Different Class.
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Nick Banks went on to joke that the group missed out on His ‘n’ Hers, before Jarvis confirmed it was the “narrowest of margins”. Jarvis went on to add: “It’s been there throughout most of our career, really. And it’s kind of the only, mean, there’s the BRITS, obviously, but Mercury is a bit different because I was on the judging thing one year, so I know how it works.
“You get people from all different parts of the music industry. And so, if you win it, then it’s like other people are saying that they like you, which, for someone who has a lot of self-esteem issues, is good!”
“It’s always nice to be liked, isn’t it?” laughed Nick. Jarvis went on to explain that the awards often bring together a “good mix of genres,” all of which the band have heard during their soundcheck today. This year, Sir Paul McCartney is nominated for his record, The Boys of Dungeon Lane, and Candida couldn’t contain her excitement.
“I’d like to see Paul McCartney,” the Belfast-born keyboardist exclaimed, before adding she knew Sir Paul wouldn’t be in attendance but it would be her dream to see him there. “I think it was Kats,” Jarvis said of the band he was most looking forward to seeing.
“I think they seem pretty interesting, you know. So, I’d like to see… I could only hear them, so I’d like to see their performance,” he continued. But an artist Candida does want to see tonight is Young Fathers.
“I think it’s a really good line-up of people,” Jarvis said of the line-up, adding: “I don’t know whether anybody else was busy, but we’re very happy to be representing it tonight. And I hope it wins.”
The annual Mercury Prize is awarded for the best album released by an act from the UK or Ireland each year. The full list for Albums of the Year for the Mercury Prize 2026 are:
- The Boy Who Played the Harp by Dave
- Blizzard by Dove Ellis
- Everybody Scream by Florence + the Machine
- That’s Showbiz Baby! by JADE
- A Great Day In Newcastle by Knats
- Don’t Look Down by Kojey Radical
- Emotional Junglist by Nia Archives
- The Art of Loving by Olivia Dean
- The Boys of Dungeon Lane by Paul McCartney
- This Music May Contain Hope by RAYE
- Antidepressants by Suede
- HELP(2) by War Child
Ten of the 12 acts will perform on the night, with Dave and Paul McCartney skipping the ceremony due to scheduling conflicts. Lauren Laverne will be on hand to host the proceedings. Heading back to her native north east, the radio host, will take to the stage at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle to present the annual event.
The Mercury Prize recognises the best new British and Irish music, celebrating artistic achievement across an eclectic range of contemporary music genres. As an independent arts prize, it champions the album format, acts as a snapshot of the year in music and often provides a major platform for up-and-coming artists and their musical work. The Prize has been an important milestone in past winners’ journeys, acting as a stepping stone to wider success in the UK and Ireland as well as internationally.
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