Imagine tuning in to the prestigious Mercury Prize ceremony, eager to witness Pulp's electrifying performance, only to find... Miss Marple's subtitles narrating their set! Yes, you read that right. Pulp, the iconic band, have presented what they call "compelling evidence" that their performance at the Mercury Prize 2025 was bizarrely accompanied by subtitles from an episode of the classic Agatha Christie mystery series.
The BBC broadcast the entire awards ceremony live from the Utilita Arena in Newcastle, showcasing performances from all but one of the twelve nominated artists. The star-studded lineup included eventual winner Sam Fender, Pulp, the innovative FKA Twigs, and the ever-captivating Wolf Alice. Richard Hawley even graced the stage alongside Pulp for a memorable rendition of ‘Spike Island.’
But here's where it gets controversial... Did someone at the BBC accidentally cross wires, or was this a deliberate, albeit strange, artistic statement? We may never know for sure, but the evidence is certainly compelling. Following the performance, Pulp's frontman, the inimitable Jarvis Cocker, took to Instagram to share the perplexing discovery. He presented a series of images meticulously compiled by Peter Chilvers, with Brian Eno initially "raising the alarm", demonstrating the subtitle snafu.
Cocker playfully wrote: "Whodunnit? It appears that our performance on the Mercury Prize was accompanied by…… the subtitles to an episode of Miss Marple! Thanks to Peter Chilvers for gathering the evidence & Brian Eno for raising the alarm. I suspect the butler…..” Could it be a subtle commentary on the often-mysterious world of music production? Or perhaps a simple, yet hilarious, technical glitch?
Pulp’s critically acclaimed album ‘More’ was among the nominees contending for the coveted prize. However, it was Sam Fender's powerful ‘People Watching’ that ultimately clinched the win. Fender's victory was met with thunderous applause and a standing ovation after his performance of the title track. In a heartwarming acceptance speech, Fender led the audience in a spirited chant of “Toon Toon,” a nod to his Newcastle roots. Overwhelmed with emotion, he exclaimed, “We didn’t expect this at all…I can’t think!” He also expressed his gratitude to fellow nominees like CMAT and Fontaines D.C., acknowledging the “great company” he was in. Furthermore, he dedicated his award to the late Annie Orwin, the inspiration behind ‘People Watching,’ adding a deeply personal touch to the moment.
Other notable performances that evening included those by the visually and sonically stunning FKA Twigs, and the always-captivating Wolf Alice. If you missed the live broadcast, you can find all the performances online.
And this is the part most people miss... The Mercury Prize eligibility period was extended by over a month this year. Albums released between Saturday, July 13, 2024, and Friday, August 29, 2025, were considered, potentially impacting the shortlist and the ultimate winner. Did this expanded timeframe lead to a more diverse and representative selection of nominees?
In a significant move, the Mercury Prize ventured north from its traditional London home, establishing a new partnership with Newcastle City Council and the North East Combined Authority. This relocation was accompanied by a week-long regional fringe program designed to “celebrate the depth and diversity of talent in the north and create opportunities for local talent.” This strategic decision aimed to democratize access to the prestigious award and foster a more inclusive music scene.
Last year, the Mercury Prize ceremony took place at the iconic Abbey Road Studios in London, where English Teacher triumphed with their universally-acclaimed debut album, ‘This Could Be Texas.’ They were the first non-London act to win the prize since Edinburgh’s Young Fathers in 2014, marking a shift in the geographic representation of winners.
So, what do you think? Was the Miss Marple subtitle incident a harmless mistake or a stroke of genius (accidental or otherwise)? Did the move to Newcastle impact the overall vibe of the awards? And most importantly, do you agree with Sam Fender's win? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
