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The musician gives his £25k prize award winnings to grassroots concert halls

The artist accepting his trophy in Newcastle
Sam Fender won the prestigious award in October in his hometown

The star has handed over the complete sum of his £25k award cash to the MVT, which functions to protect the Britain's independent concert spaces.

He was given the prize on October 16 as his new release his work was named the top album of the last 12 months.

He has opted to give the cash to the Music Venues Trust, in acknowledgment of the vital role small stages fulfilled in his early career.

"As an artist would not have achieved my current career if it hadn't been for all the shows I performed around the area, and beyond, when I was just getting going," said Sam Fender. "These spaces are iconic, but they are struggling."

Since the start of 2023, at least 150 of these venues have permanently closed – about 16% of the whole industry in the UK.

Recently, major artists such as Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the Music Venues Trust in its efforts to support the industry, by applying a modest fee to their admission fees, which benefits smaller concert halls.

Fender also joined in, generating more than £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to support numerous local spots across the UK.

The money helped venues that were dealing with imminent closure due to issues caused by floods, blazes and personal losses, as well as regulatory hurdles, legal disputes and noise complaints.

Additional spaces received funding support in upgrading amenities and gear that positively impacted performers and audiences.

"The concept that funds from concerts in large arenas helps the independent spots, where it kicks off for performers like me, is just logical," Fender has commented.

Pulp on stage
Pulp are one example who gave their Mercury Prize prize money to non-profits

Fender is far from the only musician to give his honor winnings to good deeds.

In Pulp won the prize in 1996 for their release the album, vocalist Cocker stated that the act would give their winnings to the organization the charity.

That year, artist the artist divided her award among several good causes, like the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.

"Additionally, I contributed a thousand pounds to the center, to their gymnastics program, because I trained in gymnastics when I was growing up and they required updated gear," the artist told the media.

In recent years, the band gave their winnings to the community center that supported their band, as well as other independent music bodies.

Additionally 1994 winners the group donated their prize to a multiple sclerosis charity after a friend was found to have the condition.

"The victory was quite enough," stated vocalist the singer. "The prize was the bonus but we didn't need the cherry, because we had the main prize. So our winning touched another person's life."

In the past week, the Music Venues Trust shared it had rescued several grassroots venues in that region, by bringing them into public stewardship.

The Joiners in that area and the second in the city were purchased under the public acquisition scheme, which is backed by Arts Council England and supporters who purchase "stakes" in the properties.

By

Matthew White

A seasoned journalist specializing in gambling trends and casino regulations, with over a decade of experience in the industry.

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