Sam Fender donates twenty-five thousand pounds cash award to independent music venues

The artist receiving his trophy in Newcastle
Sam Fender was awarded the honor in October in Newcastle

The star has donated the full amount of his £25,000 Mercury Prize winnings to the MVT, which functions to preserve the United Kingdom's grassroots music venues.

He was given the prize on October 16 as his latest record his work was declared the top album of the previous year.

The musician has decided to hand the money over to the Music Venues Trust, in appreciation of the vital role local spots played in his beginning days.

"I would not have achieved what I am doing today if it wasn't for all the shows I played around the area, and beyond, when I was beginning," remarked the artist. "These spaces are renowned, but they are struggling."

Beginning in 2023, more than 150 of these spaces have permanently closed – roughly 16 percent of the total UK scene.

In the last year, well-known musicians like the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the MVT in its attempts to support the industry, by applying a small levy to their ticket prices, which benefits smaller concert halls.

He also joined in, generating over £100k on his recent tour to assist 38 small stages across England, Scotland, and Wales.

These funds supported venues that were facing imminent closure due to issues caused by water damage, fires and family tragedies, as well as permit problems, legal disputes and neighbor objections.

Additional spaces received monetary aid in modernizing amenities and sound and lighting systems that directly benefitted musicians and fans.

"The notion that revenue from shows in big venues backs the independent spots, where it all starts for artists like me, is just common sense," the star has stated.

Pulp in concert
The group are one of the many acts who donated their Mercury Prize prize money to good causes

The musician is far from the only musician to donate his award funds to charitable organizations.

When Pulp won the trophy in 1996 for their release the album, lead singer Jarvis Cocker declared that the band would contribute their cash to the non-profit War Child.

In 2002, artist she shared her bounty between a few charities, like the children's charity and a Sickle Cell organization.

"Additionally, I contributed a grand to my local community centre, to their gymnastics program, because I did gymnastics when I was growing up and they required new equipment," Ms Dynamite told a publication.

Two years ago, the band contributed their winnings to the local youth club that nurtured their act, alongside other local music groups.

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

"The victory was sufficient," remarked artist Heather Small. "The cash was the bonus but we didn't need the extra, because we had the honor. So our victory impacted the lives of others."

In the past week, the trust shared it had protected a couple of small stages in south-east England, by bringing them into public stewardship.

The Joiners in that area and the other in the city were bought under the public acquisition program, which is supported by the arts council and music fans who purchase "stakes" in the buildings.

Meghan Solomon
Meghan Solomon

A seasoned journalist with over a decade of experience covering UK politics and cultural affairs, known for her insightful reporting.