The Mercury Prize, one of the most prestigious awards in the music industry, is back for its 32nd year to celebrate exceptional musical talent. This annual event gathers a diverse array of artists from various genres, all vying for recognition and acclaim for their outstanding contributions to contemporary music. With a rich history of identifying the stars of tomorrow, the Mercury Prize 2023 promises to be a showcase of artistic innovation and excellence. Here, we’ve everything you need to know about how to watch Mercury Prize 2023 in the US on BBC iPlayer for free.
Quick steps: How to watch Mercury Prize 2023 in the US on BBC iPlayer for free using a VPN
- Select a VPN service that is optimized for streaming. We recommend ExpressVPN or PIA VPN
- Download the VPN and connect to the UK server.
- Log in to BBC iPlayer.
- Find Mercury Prize 2023 and stream it no matter where you are!
When does Mercury Prize 2023 come out?
Mercury Prize 2023 is scheduled to premiere on September 7, 2023, at 9:00 p.m. on BBC iPlayer.
🚨 Today is the day!
— Mercury Prize (@MercuryPrize) September 7, 2023
Watch the Awards Show for the 2023 Mercury Prize with @FreeNow_UK tonight at 9pm on BBC Four and iPlayer. #MercuryPrize pic.twitter.com/ImrOh34yHR
Where is the Mercury Prize 2023 held?
The Mercury Prize 2023 ceremony will take place at London’s Eventim Apollo. The awards night, typically held in the first week of September, was rescheduled last year due to the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
What time will Mercury Prize 2023 be on BBC iPlayer?
Mercury Prize 2023 will be available on BBC iPlayer at 9 pm.
Where to watch Mercury Prize 2023 in the US for free?
To watch Mercury Prize 2023 for free in the US, use a VPN with UK servers to access the event on BBC iPlayer. By connecting to a UK server through the VPN, you can bypass geographic restrictions and enjoy the event as if you were in the UK, all from your US location.
What is Mercury Prize 2023 about?
Mercury Prize 2023 is an annual music event that celebrates artistic innovation and excellence in contemporary music. It brings together a diverse range of musical talents from various genres, providing a platform for recognition and acclaim. This prestigious award has a history of identifying emerging stars in the music industry and is known for marking out the stars of tomorrow. It is a highly anticipated event that showcases the best of contemporary music and has a significant impact on the careers of the artists who receive this esteemed recognition.
Mercury Prize 2023 Host

Lauren Laverne is a renowned British broadcaster and television presenter known for her charismatic and engaging hosting style. She has a strong presence in the entertainment industry and has been a prominent figure in music-related programs. Lauren’s career spans both radio and television, and she is celebrated for her insightful interviews and deep knowledge of the music world. Her role as the host of the Mercury Prize 2023 adds to her impressive portfolio of hosting prestigious events, making her a respected and trusted figure in the British media landscape. With her experience and passion for music, she is well-suited to lead the awards ceremony.
Mercury Prize 2023 Judges
The Chair of the judging team is Jeff Smith, who oversees this esteemed group of individuals responsible for selecting the best musical talent to receive the Mercury Prize 2023. The Mercury Prize 2023 judging panel comprises a diverse group of music industry professionals and experts:
- Anna Calvi – Musician, Songwriter & Composer
- Danielle Perry – Broadcaster & Writer
- Hannah Peel – Musician, Songwriter & Composer
- Jamie Cullum – Musician & Broadcaster
- Jamz Supernova – Broadcaster & DJ
- Jeff Smith – Head of Music, 6 Music & Radio 2
- Lea Stonhill – Music Programming Consultant
- Mistajam – Songwriter, DJ & Broadcaster
- Phil Alexander – Creative Director, Kerrang!/Contributing Editor, Mojo
- Sian Eleri – Broadcaster & DJ
- Tshepo Mokoena – Music Writer & Author
- Will Hodgkinson – Chief Rock & Pop Critic, The Times
The Mercury Prize is judged by an independent judging team of 12; and thanks to @bowerswilkins, we spoke to some of them as the Shortlist was announced in July to ask them why they think the album format is so important.#MercuryPrize pic.twitter.com/BSgXY40VFa
— Mercury Prize (@MercuryPrize) September 4, 2023
Mercury Prize 2023 Performers
The Mercury Prize 2023 will feature a stellar lineup of performers, showcasing a diverse range of musical talents. These artists will take the stage to deliver unforgettable performances, adding to the excitement and celebration of the event. The performers for this year’s event include:
- Ezra Collective
- J Hus
- Jessie Ware
- Jockstrap
- Lankum
- Loyle Carner
- Olivia Dean
- RAYE
- Shygirl
- Young Fathers
Mercury Prize 2023 Nominees
The Mercury Prize 2023 has unveiled an impressive list of nominees, representing a diverse and innovative range of musical talents. These outstanding artists and their albums have made significant contributions to the world of music, and the Mercury Prize serves as a platform to recognize their artistic achievements. The competition promises to be fierce, with each nominee bringing their unique style and creativity to the forefront. The nominated albums for this prestigious award are:
Ezra Collective – Where I’m Meant To Be

J Hus – Beautiful And Brutal Yard

Jessie Ware – That! Feels Good!

Jockstrap – I Love You Jennifer B

Lankum – False Lankum

Loyle Carner – Hugo

Olivia Dean – Messy

RAYE – My 21st Century Blues

Shygirl – Nymph

Young Fathers – Heavy Heavy

Arctic Monkeys – The Car

Fred Again – Actual Life 3

Watch the Mercury Prize 2023 trailer
Although there isn’t an official trailer for the Mercury Prize 2023, you can get a taste of the excitement by watching the winner announcement from the 2022 Mercury Prize. It showcases the incredible musical talent and energy that this prestigious award show offers.
What Are the Prizes and Rewards for Artists?
Artists among the 12 shortlisted for the award receive a specially designed Album of the Year trophy. The competition’s winner not only gets the Album of the Year trophy but also receives a monetary prize of $25,000. Most importantly, winning the Prize has the potential to significantly raise public awareness of the winning album and provide a substantial career boost for all the shortlisted musicians.
Mercury Prize Winners Over the Past Decade
- 2013: James Blake – Overgrown
- 2014: Young Fathers – Dead
- 2015: Benjamin Clementine – At Least For Now
- 2016: Skepta – Konnichiwa
- 2017: Sampha – Process
- 2018: Wolf Alice – Visions Of A Life
- 2019: Dave – Psychodrama
- 2020: Michael Kiwanuka – KIWANUKA
- 2021: Arlo Parks – Collapsed In Sunbeams
- 2022: Little Simz – Sometimes I Might Be Introvert
How are the fans reacting to Mercury Prize 2023 on social media?
Really looking forward to joining you on Thursday at the EvenTim Apollo. This is beautiful @aliceisaac
— Caroline (@luckymrslewis) September 5, 2023
Where else can I watch this show online?
You can watch Mercury Prize 2023 online only on BBC iPlayer.
What else can I watch on BBC iPlayer?
FAQs
Is Mercury Prize 2023 available on Netflix?
No, currently Mercury Prize 2023 is not available on Netflix.
How much does it cost to enter the Mercury Prize?
Submitting an album for consideration in the Mercury Prize requires a fee of £190 plus VAT. This fee contributes to covering the administrative costs related to the selection and nomination process.
The best VPN for streaming Mercury Prize 2023 in the US on BBC iPlayer
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN stands out for its impressive speeds, especially when connecting to distant servers. While most VPNs typically reduce speeds by around 40% over long distances, ExpressVPN only saw an average drop of 20%. This is due to its proprietary Lightway protocol, designed for minimal speed loss. It even includes a built-in speed test to help you find the fastest server easily.
ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer feature is great for enjoying British TV on devices like smart TVs that don’t support VPN apps. Setting it up is a breeze with step-by-step guides on their website. I had BBC iPlayer running on my LG smart TV within minutes. What’s impressive is that I could access BBC iPlayer from the US using any of ExpressVPN’s four UK server locations. Even colleagues in China successfully bypassed the Great Firewall to watch BBC iPlayer.
ExpressVPN’s speed is exceptional, with download speeds exceeding 25 Mbps on their UK servers. This ensures smooth streaming of Mercury Prize 2023 in the US without interruptions or long loading times. With unlimited bandwidth and data, you can stream for hours without disruptions.
Their 24/7 live chat support is responsive and knowledgeable, helping you with any questions about device connections and guiding you to the best streaming server. With ExpressVPN, enjoying Mercury Prize 2023 in the US is effortless and reliable.
Private Internet Access VPN
To easily watch Mercury Prize 2023 on BBC iPlayer from the US, I highly recommend PIA VPN. It offers outstanding streaming features that make it a top choice. You can try it risk-free with their 30-day money-back guarantee.
BBC iPlayer delivers content at a maximum resolution of 1080p HD, requiring a minimum of 5 Mbps. When I tested PIA VPN on its UK – Docklands server, I achieved a strong speed of 40.35 Mbps, with other UK servers not far behind at an average of 40.13 Mbps. This ensured a smooth and buffer-free experience while watching Mercury Prize 2023 in the US on BBC iPlayer.
With user-friendly apps for various platforms, including iPhone, Android tablets, and Windows laptops, you can enjoy BBC iPlayer on your preferred devices. Additionally, the MediaStreamer Smart DNS feature allows you to stream content on your smart TV, making it convenient to watch Mercury Prize 2023 in the US on a larger screen.
PIA VPN provides peace of mind with its risk-free trial, offering a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not completely satisfied, their 24/7 live chat support is ready to assist, and you can easily claim a refund within 30 days.