The musician donates £25,000 award winnings to grassroots concert halls

Sam Fender holding his trophy in his hometown
Sam Fender was awarded the Mercury Prize recently in the North East

The artist has given the complete sum of his £25,000 honor cash to the MVT, which operates to save the United Kingdom's independent live music spots.

Fender was presented with the award on October 16 as his third album his work was named the top album of the last 12 months.

Fender has opted to give the cash to the MVT, in recognition of the crucial part small stages had in his initial steps.

"I personally would not have achieved what I am doing today if it weren't for all the gigs I performed around the area, and further afield, when I was starting out," remarked the artist. "These venues are legendary, but they are facing challenges."

Beginning in 2023, at least 150 of these locations have permanently closed – roughly one-sixth of the entire UK sector.

In the last year, major artists like Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the MVT in its initiatives to support the industry, by applying a minor surcharge to their admission fees, which benefits smaller concert halls.

Fender also participated, collecting more than £100,000 on his recent tour to support thirty-eight grassroots venues across the UK.

The donation assisted venues that were confronting imminent closure due to challenges stemming from water damage, fires and family tragedies, as well as permit problems, court cases and sound issues.

Other venues received financial assistance in upgrading infrastructure and technical equipment that directly benefitted musicians and audiences.

"The idea that revenue from concerts in big venues helps the smaller venues, where it kicks off for musicians like me, is just common sense," Fender has commented.

Pulp performing
The group are one of the many acts who contributed their Mercury Prize winnings to charity

Fender is among several artists to donate his award prize money to good deeds.

When Pulp earned the award in 1996 for their album Different Class, frontman Jarvis Cocker declared that the band would contribute their winnings to the non-profit War Child.

In 2002, rapper and singer she split her prize between a few good causes, like the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.

"And I gave a £1,000 to my local community centre, to their gymnastics program, because I did gymnastics when I was growing up and they required better apparatus," the artist shared with the media.

Two years ago, Ezra Collective gave their winnings to the youth organization that supported their band, alongside other independent music bodies.

Also the 1994 recipients the group contributed their winnings to a charity for MS after a friend was diagnosed the illness.

"Winning was ample," remarked singer Small. "The prize was the extra but we didn't need the cherry, because we had the honor. So our success touched the lives of others."

Last week, the trust revealed it had saved two local spots in south-east England, by placing them under local control.

One venue in the city and the second in the city were purchased under the Own Our Venues scheme, which is supported by a national body and enthusiasts who acquire "ownership units" in the properties.

Virginia Bray
Virginia Bray

A travel writer and cultural enthusiast documenting unique Canadian experiences and hidden gems.