The Ancient Infinity Orchestra, a 16-member ensemble from Leeds, perform live with jazz-inspired DJ Weston as part of the 2026 Mercury Prize Fringe.
Ancient Infinity Orchestra play Cobalt Studios on Thursday 16 October, as part of the 2026 Mercury Prize Fringe. They're a 16-member ensemble from Leeds, led by double bassist and composer Ozzy Moysey, and they're performing live with support from Cobalt resident Weston, who'll be playing a jazz-inspired DJ set.
The night sits inside the Mercury Prize Fringe, which runs from 15 to 22 October and brings more than 30 events to venues across Newcastle. It's powered by Generator, the North's leading music development organisation, and the programme mixes live showcases, lyric and album-producing masterclasses with music legends, workshops, listening parties and in-conversations — most of them free of charge — all building up to the Mercury Prize ceremony at Utilita Arena on 22 October.
The prize returns to the city for the second year running, following local hero Sam Fender's win in 2025. This year's shortlist was chosen by an independent judging team led by Jeff Smith and includes AFRODEUTSCHE, Jamie Cullum, MistaJam and Sian Eleri, with Radio 1 presenter Maia Beth returning to host artist interviews and red-carpet coverage. Ancient Infinity Orchestra, with their 16 members, are billed as a gathering of voices, traditions and energies converging into something timeless.
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So, you've got the orchestra live at Cobalt on Thursday 16 October, with Weston on the decks before them, all as part of the fringe that runs up to the main ceremony on the 22nd.
