The artist contributes £25,000 cash award to independent concert halls

Sam Fender holding Mercury Prize in his hometown
He received the prestigious award last month in the North East

The artist has donated the complete sum of his twenty-five thousand pound honor winnings to the Music Venues Trust, which operates to save the United Kingdom's small concert spaces.

He was awarded the cheque on mid-October as his latest record the album was declared the outstanding release of the last 12 months.

Fender has opted to hand the money over to the Music Venues Trust, in appreciation of the essential function local spots played in his initial steps.

"As an artist couldn't be pursuing my current career if it weren't for all the shows I played around the region, and further afield, when I was just getting going," remarked the artist. "These spaces are legendary, but they are struggling."

From early 2023 onward, more than 150 of these spaces have ceased operations – roughly 16% of the total UK scene.

Recently, top acts like the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the MVT in its initiatives to keep the scene afloat, by adding a minor surcharge to their admission fees, which goes to help local stages.

He also participated, collecting in excess of £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to support 38 grassroots venues across the UK.

The money helped venues that were dealing with potential shutdown due to difficulties stemming from water damage, fire incidents and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, conflicts and noise complaints.

Some locations were granted financial assistance in improving amenities and gear that positively impacted musicians and fans.

"The notion that money from shows in major spaces helps the independent spots, where it begins for performers like me, is just logical," the star has commented.

Pulp members on stage
They are one of the many acts who donated their Mercury Prize winnings to good causes

Fender is among several artists to donate his award winnings to charitable organizations.

In they won the trophy in the year 1996 for their release the album, lead singer Jarvis Cocker stated that the act would give their winnings to the organization the charity.

In 2002, artist she split her prize between a few organizations, including the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.

"I also gave a grand to the center, to their gymnastics program, because I did gymnastics when I was younger and they required new equipment," the artist told outlets.

Previously, they gave their funds to the community center that developed their group, alongside other local music groups.

And winners that year the group gave their prize to a multiple sclerosis charity after a friend was identified with the illness.

"The victory was ample," stated artist the singer. "The prize was the extra but we didn't require the extra, because we had the cake. So our success affected another person's life."

Recently, the Music Venues Trust shared it had protected several grassroots venues in south-east England, by transferring them to community ownership.

The first in that area and the second in Bristol were acquired under the community ownership program, which is funded by a national body and enthusiasts who purchase "ownership units" in the properties.

Jordan Williams
Jordan Williams

Maya is a tech innovator and productivity expert with over a decade of experience in AI-driven solutions.

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