Mercury rising as pub is the hot venue

THE newly opened Greggs pub in Newcastle is to become a Mercury Prize Fanzone for one night only this October in celebration of the huge music event taking place in the city.

- By BARBARA HODGSON

As reported, the Mercury Prize awards show will be moving out of London for the first time to take place in Newcastle and Sam Fender will be among the evening's recently announced performers.

The triple Brit Award-winner is nominated for a Mercury Award for his third album People Watching.

The big music night will be on October 16 at Utilita Arena and is to be broadcast live on BBC1. It is out to showcase the best of the music industry, and to celebrate being host Newcastle also has a programme of fringe events lined up. As fringe plans were confirmed this Thursday, news of the Mercury Prize Fanzone inside The Golden Flake Tavern was revealed.