Mercury Prize must leave Newcastle a lasting legacy to justify 'significant public money'

The annual award show will be staged on Tyneside this October, the first time that it has ever been held outside London.

It comes hot on the heels of the MOBOs at the Utilita Arena this February and Sam Fender’s recent homecoming concerts at St James’ Park, as the city bids to bolster its reputation as a hotbed of musical talent.

But city council officials have been told that the Mercury Prize must be more than “a party” and that the benefits of bringing it to the North East must be felt in the grassroots music scene.

The North East Combined Authority is putting in £250,000 to help pay towards the costs of staging the event and organising a fringe events programme.

Newcastle City Council is also understood to be putting in a substantial financial commitment, though the amount has not been disclosed publicly, to be the event’s host city and headline sponsor.

Liberal Democrat councillor Greg Stone said that there was  “quite a significant amount of public money” going into the Mercury Prize and that leaders must “get the balance right between how much is going on hosting a party and how much is going into outreach for the music industry in the city”.

Speaking at Newcastle City Council’s overview and scrutiny committee, the opposition councillor said: “It is lovely to have big, high-profile events. But it is about what we can do to make sure that there is a lasting impact for the music sector in the city.”

Jim Mawdsley, the council’s principal advisor for events and culture, said the council was “very conscious” of the need for there to be wider social value to the event.

Alongside the main awards ceremony at the arena on October 16, which will feature performances from some of the shortlisted acts, there are plans for outreach events including workshops and Mercury Prize album playback events showcasing Newcastle’s  independent music retail sector.

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Mr Mawdsley said that the MOBOs had generated an economic impact of around £1.35 million for the city this year, but that the “more important” element was the outreach around it that saw 2,000 children from more than 30 schools were involved in an outreach programme showcasing the work of artists from the North East’s black communities.

A report from Labour councillor Abdul Samad, the council’s cabinet member for culture, music, and arts, states: “In a similar way to the MOBOs, we will commission a wide-ranging fringe and outreach programme that will uplift the music of the North East and provide yet another opportunity to showcase the amazing talent we have nurtured here.

“This will be accompanied by a range of workshops, a music summit and the chance to highlight the independent music retail sector with a series of special Mercury Prize album playback events.”

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