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The artist donates £25,000 cash award to independent live spaces

Sam Fender accepting Mercury Prize in his hometown
The musician received the honor last month in Newcastle

The artist has handed over the entirety of his £25,000 honor cash to the trust for venues, which operates to protect the United Kingdom's grassroots live music spots.

Fender was given the cheque on mid-October as his latest record the album was named the outstanding release of the previous year.

Fender has decided to give the cash to the trust, in appreciation of the vital role grassroots venues played in his initial steps.

"As an artist wouldn't be doing this success if it wasn't for all the performances I performed around the area, and elsewhere, when I was just getting going," said Fender. "These spaces are legendary, but they are facing challenges."

From early 2023 onward, at least 150 of these locations have shut down – about 16% of the whole industry in the UK.

Recently, top acts including Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the Music Venues Trust in its efforts to support the industry, by adding a modest fee to their ticket prices, which benefits smaller concert halls.

He also took part, generating in excess of £100,000 on his live tour to support thirty-eight local spots across the UK.

These funds assisted locations that were confronting possible closure due to issues caused by water damage, fire incidents and personal losses, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and sound issues.

Some locations were granted monetary aid in upgrading amenities and gear that directly benefitted musicians and fans.

"The idea that funds from performances in big venues supports the local stages, where it begins for artists like me, is just sensible," Fender has said.

The band Pulp performing
The group are one example who donated their award prize money to charity

He is among several artists to give his award winnings to charitable organizations.

When the band won the award in the year 1996 for their record Different Class, vocalist Jarvis Cocker announced that the band would give their prize money to the charity War Child.

During 2002, rapper and singer Ms Dynamite shared her award between several organizations, like the children's charity and a Sickle Cell charity.

"Additionally, I gave a £1,000 to Highgate Newtown, to their classes, because I trained in gymnastics when I was growing up and they needed updated gear," Ms Dynamite shared with the media.

Previously, the band gave their prize money to the community center that developed their band, as well as other local music groups.

And the 1994 recipients they contributed their award to a MS organization after a acquaintance was found to have the illness.

"Receiving the award was sufficient," said singer Small. "The cash was the bonus but we didn't need the bonus, because we had the honor. So our winning affected somebody else's life."

Recently, the MVT announced it had saved several grassroots venues in the South East, by transferring them to community ownership.

The Joiners in the city and the second in Bristol were bought under the community ownership initiative, which is funded by Arts Council England and supporters who acquire "stakes" in the buildings.

The writer

Elizabeth Torres

A freelance journalist and cultural critic with a passion for exploring urban life and creative industries across the UK.

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